Withernwick Wind Farm Community Fund

What is the Withernwick Wind Farm Community Fund?

The Withernwick Wind Farm Community Fund receives an annual donation from EnergieKontor UK Limited (the owner of the wind farm). The fund received its first donation in 2013 and with indexation; this is now worth c.£40,000 per annum.  For further information on EnergieKontor UK Limited please visit: 

EnergieKontor UK Limited (external website)

What is the area of benefit for the fund?

The area of benefit for the fund is the electoral wards of Mid and North Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire with a preference for appropriate initiatives in the proximity to the wind farm. 

What type of activities will the fund support?

The legal agreement and constitution define the fund criteria as, to promote:

• educational initiatives
• community initiatives (activities)
• environmental initiatives
• energy efficiency initiatives
• community amenity initiatives (infrastructure).

Who can make an application?

Applications are welcomed from community groups, community organisations, charities, parish councils, schools and faith-based organisations.  New groups or ideas for projects where a group does not currently exist can be considered. 

Are there any activities that cannot be funded?

The following activities cannot be supported by the fund:

• Activities adverse to the commercial interests of the wind farm
• Political or religious campaigns
• Statutory duties of a public body, including East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Humberside Police, Fire and Rescue Services, the Health Authority, the Coastguard or a Parish Council.

Please note funding cannot be awarded retrospectively or for a project that has already commenced.

How can the fund distribute the money?

Payments from the fund will usually be made in the form of grants.  Subject to appropriate governance measures as required, other forms of financial assistance (e.g commisioning, loans, donations) can be considered by the fund panel.  For further details contact the fund administrator at:

Email: ruralfunding@eastriding.gov.uk

How much money can be applied for?

Applications for over £1,000 should be made online to the main fund. No upper limit has been set by the fund panel. Applications can be for more than one year in duration.

Applications for up to £1,000 should also be made online to the Small Grants fund. This is a simpler application process for small, one-off projects.

Please also see the How do I submit an application? answer below. 

Will the fund support 100% of the project costs?

The fund panel will look for evidence of a project's own contribution towards the costs and will prioritise applications that show a 50% match funding, however, in certain circumstances, 100% funding may be given.

How is the fund managed and who makes decisions on how the money is spent?

Decisions on how the money is spent are made by a fund panel made up of representatives from the following organisations:

• Aldbrough Parish Council
  
• Ellerby Parish Council
  
• Hatfield Parish Council
  
• Mappleton Parish Council 
  
• Withernwick Parish Council
  
• Withernwick Community Association
  
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council
  
• A representative from the developer.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is the Accountable Body for the fund and provides the secretariat and administration service through the council's Rural Policy and Partnerships Team.

What are the deadlines and timescales?

The main fund is currently open.

2022 Timetable 

• Applications received between 1 November 2021 and 30 June 2022 will be assessed at a decision making meeting in August 2022
• Applications received between 1 July 2022 and 30 October 2022 will be assessed at a decision making meeting in November 2022.

Applications for up to £1,000 can be made to the Small Grants fund which can made at any time and will be considered in between panel meetings.

What is the application process from start to finish?

Applications to the Main Fund:

1. For the main fund, the applicant completes an online application form and submits it electronically with supporting evidence (including quotes, permissions, accounts and bank statements).  These forms can be accessed using the link in the 'How do I submit an application for funding?' section below.
2. The online system acknowledges receipt of application.
3. The administrator carries out a technical appraisal (does the applicant have power and permissions to carry out the project, does the project meet the fund criteria, has all the necessary information been supplied?).
4. The application is sent to fund panel for scoring.
5. Fund panel meet and make a decision (full award, part award or decline).
6. Administrator emails unsuccessful applicants stating decision and reason.
7. Administrator emails successful applicants offering funding and explaining any conditions that may apply.
8. Successful applicants email back accepting the offer of money and conditions.
9. Successful applicants can submit a single invoice in advance for up to a total grant value of £10,000.  If the total grant value is over £10,000 two payments will be made - one in advance and one on project completion. Please note: normal payment terms are 30 days.
10. Successful applicants complete the project.
11. Successful applicants complete an online End of Grant report plus supporting evidence along with any final invoice as appropriate
12. Successful applicants submit any final receipts and bank statements 
13. Administrator includes a report on the project in the Fund Annual report
14. Fund Annual Report presented at an annual review meeting.

Applications to the Small Grant Fund:

1. The applicant completes an online application form and submits it electronically with supporting evidence.  This form can be accessed using the link in the How do I submit and application for funding? section below.
2. The online system acknowledges receipt of application.
3. The administrator carries out a technical appraisal (e.g. does the project meet the fund criteria, has all the necessary information been supplied?).
4. The application is approved or declined online by the fund panel.
5. Administrator emails successful applicants with an offer letter and explaining any conditions that may apply.  Administrator emails unsuccessful applicants stating decision.
6. Subsequent steps similar to main grants (see above) with full payment in advance.

How do I submit an application for funding?

Applications to both the Small Grants (up to £1,000) and main fund (over £1,000) should be made online within the Flexi-Grant system: 

Flexi-Grant System (external council website)

There are three options on the system to choose from:

Main Grant

• For grant applications up to £10k - select the up to £10k form
• For larger grant applications select the over £10k form

Small Grant (up to £1,000) option

• Select the Small Grant (up to £1,000) option

If you have any queries please contact the fund by email: ruralfunding@eastriding.gov.uk