Starbeck Community Fund guidance 2025 to 2026

Please read this guidance note before completing your application.

There are three funding opportunities, each with its own criteria and application form. It is important that you select that right one and provide the relevant supporting information.

1. Background of the Starbeck Community Fund

1.1 The Starbeck Community Fund was born out of an agreed planning and development requirement (section 106 agreement) in July 1992 which set out that the developers (Octavious Atkinson and Taylor Woodrow) who built Morrisons supermarket on land in Starbeck were to:

• pay £300,000 to the council for the purpose of creation or improvement of recreation/community facilities in Starbeck

And that the council:

• manage the Fund only for the improvement, expansion or creation of recreation and/or community facilities in Starbeck
• to hold the £300,000 in any account or securities it may in its absolute discretion think fit pending the distribution of all or any part of the Fund
• the distribution and administration of the Fund shall be at the sole discretion of the council

1.2 Following an initial piece of work to identify any possible community facility developments in the prescribed area following the receipt of the fund in the 1990’s, the Starbeck Small Grants Community Fund was established in the interim to provide grants to voluntary and community groups and individuals for one off items that enhanced or created recreation or community facility opportunities.

1.3 The funding has been held and managed by the former Harrogate Borough Council and has now transferred to the administration of the new North Yorkshire Council. The Fund is now managed by the Localities Service, Central Area Communities Team.

1.4 Following a review of the Fund in 2024 to 2025 by North Yorkshire Council including the process for allocating the grant money, the allocation thresholds, and the provision of community and recreation facilities within the Starbeck area, the fund is now available for applications for grants to be awarded in 2025 to 2026.

2. The funding opportunities

2.1 There are three areas of capital funding available in 2025 to 2026. Like previous years there are individual awards for young people aged 25 years and under and small grants for voluntary and community sector groups. This year a new category offering a larger grant for voluntary and community sector groups has been included.

As set out in the original agreement, these are capital grants, to support the one-off purchase of equipment or other physical assets, for the purpose of creation or improvement of recreation/community facilities in Starbeck.

A competitive process has been established. Applications that demonstrate that they meet the fund criteria, and that they will have a significant impact within the area of benefit, will be eligible for consideration.

The budget is not infinite, and the small and individual grants will be allocated from one budget amount (the interest from the capital lump sum) and the larger grants from another (the original capital lump sum).

The area of benefit is as per the 1992 Starbeck ward boundaries. This is different to today’s divisional boundaries. Applicants need to check that their application falls within this area of benefit. See section 6 of this document for the fund area.

The specific details of each funding opportunity can be found in sections 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4.

The following will not be considered for funding as part of this grants scheme:

• costs for projects or activities that have already been completed or expenditure that has already been incurred
• costs relating to buildings or facilities that are not available or accessible for use by the wider community
• venue hire
• general requests for running costs towards existing projects
• salaries/other employee costs, statutory training, rent, rates etc
• professional fees such as planning, architect or subscription costs
• insurance costs
• prize money
• purchase of gifts
• general appeals or sponsorship
• activities of a religious nature
• activities of a political nature
• statutory services - schools, health, local and national government
• work or activities that have already taken place

If you fit within these guidelines and are keen to contribute to the creation or improvement of recreation/community facilities in Starbeck we would encourage you to apply.

2.2 Fund one: The individual grant application guidance and criteria

The funding opportunity

The fund allows for annual small grants of up to £400 for individuals.

Applicants must be 25 years or under before the grant window closes and live in the designated Starbeck Community Fund area (see map in section 6).

Applications that demonstrate the below will be considered for funding.

Applications will be considered towards projects, schemes or courses that will enhance:

• educational advancement of an individual
• sporting or cultural advancement of an individual

For all applications

• applicants must be able to show the impact of the project by Thursday 1 October 2026
• applicants must be 25 years or under before the grant window closes

2.3 Fund two: The groups and community organisation small grant application guidance and criteria

The funding opportunity

The annual small grants fund is open to groups and community organisations based or carrying out activities in the prescribed fund area (see map in section 6). Grants of up to £2,000 can be applied for.

Applications that demonstrate the below will be considered for funding:

• that the proposal/project enhances or creates recreation or community facility opportunities
• that the project enhances the quality of life of Starbeck residents, adding value to the local community
• that the proposal/project is accessible or available for use by the wider Starbeck community
• that the project will engage residents and volunteers, and increase their opportunity to access community activities, facilities, support or services
• that you can demonstrate the impact the funding has had by Tuesday 1 December 2026
• those that need a grant to assist with a start-up project

Please note that applicants will need to provide evidence of the following:

• how your group is set up, constituted and governed
• evidence of estimated costs

2.4 Fund three: The large grant application guidance and criteria

The funding opportunity

The capital fund will provide larger grants of up to £20,000 for community groups and organisations within the prescribed fund area (see map in section 6). We would be looking to award only a small number of organisations funding in this first round.

Applications that demonstrate the below will be considered for funding:

• that the proposal/project enhances or creates recreation or community facility opportunities
• that the project enhances the quality of life of Starbeck residents, adding value to the local community
• that the proposal/project is accessible or available for use by the wider Starbeck community
• that the project will engage residents and volunteers and increase their opportunity to access community activities, facilities, support or services
• that you can demonstrate the impact the funding has had by Tuesday 1 December 2026
• those that need a grant to assist with a start-up project

Please note that applicants will need to provide evidence of the following:

• building or ownership or long-term lease along with landlords’ permission for the project where applicable
• any planning, licensing or other regulatory consents if required for the proposal/project
• how your group is set up, constituted and governed
• evidence of estimated costs (we recommend groups seek more than one quote to support their decision making on costings, however we only require one quote in the application)

3. The application and selection process

3.1 How to apply

All applications must be completed via the correct application form

 Apply for an individual grant (docx / 48 KB)

 Apply for an individual grant (pdf / 228 KB)

 Apply for a community group grant (docx / 63 KB)

 Apply for a community group grant (pdf / 224 KB)

 Apply for a large community grant (pdf / 204 KB)

 Apply for a large community grant (pdf / 204 KB)

Applicants can only apply for one funding stream per calendar year.

If you have any questions about a possible project in advance of completing the form, require assistance with the form or if there is an issue with this format, please email stronger.communities@northyorks.gov.uk and an officer will assist.

There will be an information session held on the Wednesday 16 July 2025 from 2.30pm until 4.30pm at Starbeck Community Library where any queries or assistance requests can be dealt with in person.

3.2 Timescales

The grant fund is to be allocated within the financial year ending Tuesday 31 March 2026 for projects that will commence after Tuesday 30 September 2025.

Timetable

• information session at Starbeck Community Library on Saturday 21 June 2025 from 10am until 11.30am
• open for applications - Monday 23 June 2025
• information session at Starbeck Community Library on Wednesday 16 July 2025 from 2.30pm until 4.30pm
• closing date for applications - Sunday 10 August 2025 at 5pm
• grants panel date - early September 2025
• notification of outcome of application - mid-September 2025
• awards celebration - October 2025 (date to be confirmed)

3.3 Grant process

1. Applications to be submitted before the closing date, with the relevant supporting documentation attached.
2. A confirmation email will be sent to confirm receipt of the application.
3. Due diligence carried out by our support officer to assess eligibility. Further clarification may be asked for, if required.
4. Assessment of the application by the grants panel against the scoring framework.
5. Grants panel held and recommended funding awards identified.
6. Consideration of grant recommendations and final decision agreed by our delegated senior responsible officer.
7. Confirmation of the outcome of the grants panel and the award.
8. Those successful will receive a formal award offer by means of a funding agreement which needs to be signed and returned as a means of acceptance before any payment is made.
9. Successful applicants will be invited to the grant awards celebration.

For all applications:

• grant award decisions are final
• for those awarded a larger grant, applicants cannot re apply for a similar grant for four years should the same funding opportunity arise in following years

3.4 How applications will be considered

All applications that meet the fund criteria will be forwarded to the grants panel. The grants panel will be made up of representatives from the Starbeck Residents Association, a local councillor and will be supported with advice from an independent voluntary and community sector representative. The panel will be administered and supported by one of our officers.

3.5 Assessing applications

The grants panel assess each application against the criteria for the fund applied for and scoring framework. Based on the supporting evidence provided, a provisional score will be given.

Scores will be moderated (using the scoring framework) and used as a base for discussion at the panel and subsequently a recommendation whether to fund or not will be made.

If the total amount of grants applied for exceeds the amount of funding available to distribute this year, the scores will be used to prioritise the recommendations.

4. The terms and conditions

4.1. Payment of grants

The grant will be paid in full in advance upon receipt of the signed grant agreement.

Grants will be paid via BACS by North Yorkshire Council. As part of monitoring, successful applicants will need to provide proof of receipts and invoices relevant to the project.

• evidence of costs
• a completed grant agreement form
• agreement to submit a completed evaluation by Monday 1 December 2026

4.2. Conditions of grant award

• the grant must be spent and there should be evidenced benefit within one year of award
• the monitoring report should be completed and returned to us by the date agreed
• provision of copies of any relevant receipts/invoices
• insurance and safety measures are in place, including public liability insurance
• it is the applicants responsibility to have appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures in place for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults and that any procedures are in line with the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children’s Board. Visit the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership website here
• the applicant will be inclusive to all groups and individuals and will contribute to assisting us in meeting our equal opportunities and diversity policy. Information on equality and diversity can be found here

4.3. Data Protection

How we use your information:

We will treat your personal details as private and confidential and safeguard them. We will not disclose them to anyone unconnected with the council unless you have consented to their release or in certain circumstances where:

• we are legally obliged to do so
• disclosure is necessary for the proper discharge of our statutory functions
• disclosure is necessary to enable us to provide you with a requested service or deal with your enquiry
• where “legitimate interests” are relied on in relation to specific processing operations

We are under a duty to protect public funds. We may use the information you have provided for the prevention and detection of fraud. We may also share this information with other bodies responsible for public funds or for auditing them for these purposes.

Terms and conditions:

• I understand that my application and contact details will be stored for 6 years and deleted after this time unless I agree to extend this period
• I understand that I have the right to withdraw my consent by contacting stronger.communities@northyorks.gov.uk. I understand that this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing of the application by the council before my consent is withdrawn
• I understand that the council will ensure that it complies with the requirements of all legislation and regulatory requirements in force relating to the application
• I understand that the council will process the application and my contact details in accordance with the privacy notice available at privacy notices

5. Contact and submission information

If you need assistance to complete the application form, please contact Poppy Charters, Community Development Officer at stronger.communities@northyorks.gov.uk.

All application and evidence must be submitted electronically to stronger.communities@northyorks.gov.uk

Deadline: Sunday 10 August 2025 at 5pm.

6. Starbeck Community Fund - fund area

Geographical Area - Groups that operate within the bold area will be able to apply for Starbeck Community Fund Grants.

 Map showing the boundary of the Starbeck Ward (pdf / 527 KB)