Community Fund round five

The Community Fund uses money generated from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) to fund projects that address the demands placed on an area by new developments.

How the funding is used

In Richmond, 15% of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is to be spent locally in areas without a Neighbourhood Plan. In areas where a Neighbourhood Plan has been adopted this is increased to 25%.

Areas in the borough have been grouped into east and west of the River Thames, and Ham and Petersham as a separate Neighbourhood Plan area. This means that each area has a Community Fund pot collected from the developments that have taken place in each area.

Timescales

Planned dates for this round of applications:

Round five timescales

Activity	Date(s)
Deadline for applications	Midnight on Monday 11 December 2023
Due diligence period/technical reports from officers	2 to 31 January 2024
Community Fund Grant Board evaluation/validation of applications	February 2024
Applicants notified of result	April 2024

Eligibility

We will only fund organisations that are:

• Providing services or activities that benefit the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and its residents
• Not for profit: we cannot fund organisations that make a profit. However, we can fund social enterprises and other organisations that generate surpluses, as long as the organisation’s governing documents show that the surplus is reinvested. This must be reflected in the accounts the organisation gives us. Companies Limited by Shares are not eligible. CICs will need to have been in operation for at least two years prior to application submission
• Constituted organisations: organisations must have a governing document or set of rules that is signed and dated and defines how the organisation will operate. Organisations should have at least three board members/trustees who are unrelated and live at separate addresses
• Financially solvent: organisations funded by us must not have liabilities that are more than their current assets. Organisations can apply in partnership with other non-voluntary sector organisations e.g. statutory agencies, or private companies, but the voluntary or community group must be the lead partner and funds will only be paid into their bank account. Please note organisations must have a bank account with a minimum of two non-related signatories

How much you can apply for

Amount available in round five:

Funding area	Budget available
East of the borough: Richmond, Kew, East Sheen,  Mortlake, Barnes	£518,000
West of the borough: Whitton and Heathfield, Twickenham, East Twickenham and St Margarets, Hampton, Hampton Hill and Fulwell, Strawberry Hill, Teddington and Hampton Wick	£351,000
Ham and Petersham	£4,600 *

 

*This will be carried forward to the next round as it is below the minimum threshold for the Community Fund.

Contact

If you would like further information and guidance, contact communityconversations@richmond.gov.uk