Email: leisure@forest-heath.gov.uk Tel: 01638 719215

The purpose of the Leisure Grant Scheme run by Forest Heath District Council is to improve the provision of community, leisure and cultural activities within the district.

We offer financial assistance to support local community organisations in their efforts to provide facilities, equipment and services for sport, recreation, countryside and the arts. Grants are also available to individuals who have achieved or seek to develop a standard of excellence, in sport.

Who is eligible?

The organisation should be voluntary and non-profit making and be active in the Forest Heath area, for example:

• Parish councils
• Village halls / playing field committees
• Sports organisations
• Arts groups / organisations
• Youth groups
• Registered charities
• Individuals who reside in the district

Organisations/projects in the Newmarket area which also benefit the East Cambridgeshire area. (These may be referred to the Forest Heath District Council/East Cambridgeshire District Council Joint Grants Panel for additional Funding)

What kind of projects and activities?

Capital Grants

• Developing new facilities
• Carrying out major refurbishment to existing buildings
• Improving existing facilities
• Providing specific items of equipment

Project Grants

• Arts and Local Events
• Underwriting professional arts events, which may incur losses.
• Giving support to public events of significant interest to the entire district.
• Assisting identified target groups through travel subsidy to access arts events outside the district.
• Arts Development
• Grants to support artistic projects by and for the community.
• Sports Development
• Supporting talented individuals with competition and training costs and access to local facilities.
• Developing individual’s coaching standards.
• Countryside/Environment
• Providing practical assistance with local community projects
• Assisting communities and landowners to access a wide range of local and national grant sources to care for, protect, and improve the landscape and environment.

How much grant is available?

Capital Grants

For parish councils: 50% of total cost of schemes, within any three-year period, up to a maximum of £10,000.
For other organisations: 33% of total cost of any one scheme, within any three-year period, up to a maximum of £10,000.
Village halls: We will consider funding in excess of £10,000 for major updating or provision of new village halls.

Project Grants

• Arts Events
  Underwriting professionally based events or programme of activities up to a maximum of £1,000; however higher levels of grant application will be individually assessed.
  The Arts Travel Subsidy scheme funds 50% of transport costs for groups of 10 or more visiting selected professional performing arts events within a 50 mile radius of Forest Heath. (Restricted to identified target groups).

• Local Events (Sports and Arts)
  Up to a maximum of £250, not including annual carnivals and fetes. Events must be deemed to be of district wide, regional or national interest.

• Arts/Sports Development
  Financial and/or practical assistance may be given towards specific projects, which contribute to the Council’s own Leisure Service objectives or programmes.

• Sports Development
  Individual Sports Excellence Award: Individuals competing at county, regional or national level. County squad members may receive free use of Council leisure facilities for training purposes. In addition:Up to £250 is available to regional, and up to £500 for national squad members for selected events, or equipment, as well as ongoing training and competing expenses.
  Coach Education Award: Available to sports men and women wishing to become qualified coaches. Awards are granted according to the need for coaches of the sport in question and subject to the approval of the Sports Development Officer. The award will contribute 50% of the total cost of the coaching qualification up to £100

How and when to Apply

All project grants are considered on a rolling basis through out the year, subject to budget availability and considered at the next appropriate meeting of the Community Services Committee. Applications must be made and funding agreed before the start of the project or event etc.

Capital grants are considered once a year and applications must be submitted to Leisure Services no later than 31 December for consideration by the committee in February/March of the following year. Grant awards are made available from 1st April and are valid for two years. (Late applications will not be considered).

In certain circumstances however, applications for capital improvement grants may be considered during the year (ie those where the function of a facility is interrupted when if fails to meet Fire Regulations or does not qualify for renewal of a Public Entertainment Licence).

Application forms include terms and conditions and are available from leisure services, or you can print or download a copy by clicking on the links where available.

Sports Development Application Form Guidance Notes
Arts Development Application Form
Arts Event Underwriting Application Form
Capital Grants Application Form Guidance Notes

It is advisable to speak in advance to the relevant officer before submitting an application.