angela balcombe parish co-ordinator & big society development officer big society good for essex

Angela Balcombe

Parish Co-ordinator & Big Society Development Officer

Big SocietyGood for Essex

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Big Society Fund 2011 ~ 2012

• Launched in March 2011

• Funded by Essex County Council

• Builds on the success of the:Community Initiatives Fund (CIF)Retail Enterprise Fund Making the Links Project Fund

• Capital and Revenue Funding

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What we support• Community, social and recreational facilities

• Village halls

• Playground equipment

• Environmental works

• Local projects and/or services in rural areas that benefit the community

• Plans to improve the commercial viability of a socially significant business will also be eligible.

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Who can apply?

• Town and Parish Councils, including Parish Meetings• Community Groups and Voluntary Organisations• Charities• Faith Groups• Residents Associations• Neighbourhood Groups• Private Enterprises and Community Interest Companies providing social

benefits

Groups must be properly constituted, Essex-based and broadly representative of their local community.

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What we can’t support

• The promotion of religion• The promotion of political ideals• Work that has already taken place or an order that has already

been placed• Activities that a statutory body is responsible for• Animal welfare• Items that mainly benefit individuals (for example equipment that

is not shared)• Projects that cannot be maintained due to high ongoing costs

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Application Process

• Expression of Interest• Application Form• Quick Response – capped at £10,000• Community Fund – capped at £15,000

Deadline for EoI forms – 31 October

Deadline for application forms – 30 November

Judging panels meet in February 2013

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Assessment Criteria• Evidence of community need • Support from your local councillor• Sustainability• Essex Priorities including improving the local environment,

access to services and supporting communities.• Match-funding• Community Impact (i.e. loss of the last shop/pub)• Risk to the scheme • Number of beneficiaries

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Examples:

• £1,105 Da Latchingdon Youth Club – Boxing Club• £6,673 The Bell, Purleigh – create an area for showing films• £10,000 Southminster Parish Council – Southminster One Place

Relocation• £600 Galleywood Neighbourhood Watch• £4,285 Home-Start Chelmsford – relocate into new premises• £6,020 ReSTART Learning CIC – equipment for children's centre • £2,400 Chignals & Mashbury Village Hall – refurbishment of

village hall kitchen

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Questions?• www.essex.gov.uk/bigsocietyfund• E-mail: bigsocietyfund@essex.gov.uk• Tel: 01245 437887