Hook Moor Wind Farm Community Fund

Banks Hook Moor Wind Farm Community Benefits fund - Banks Renewables is committed to generating power from renewable technologies such as onshore wind farms and solar farms. Banks develops, operates and restores surface coal mines in a modern, safe, responsible and efficient way through out the north of England and Scotland to the highest possible standards.

Grant Guidelines Hook Moor Wind Farm Community Fund (the Fund) has been established to provide financial assistance to community groups, voluntary organisations and the local community in the area of the Hook Moor Wind Farm. Eligibility will normally be restricted to the parishes of Aberford and Micklefield. Projects outside of this area may be eligible if it can be shown that they benefit local people from Aberford and Micklefield parishes.

Community groups, voluntary organisations and environmental projects that are charitable, educational, philanthropic or benevolent in purpose can apply to the Fund. This includes but is not restricted to: • Playgroups • Youth clubs • Sports clubs and facilities • The Scout and Guide Movement • Senior citizens clubs and activities • Village halls • Church halls • Local charities that benefit local people • Environmental projects • Schools (for non-statutory projects that are not normally funded by Durham County Council) • Education, employment, training and skills development for unemployed people

Grants will be available towards capital costs of purchase as well as for associated maintenance, revenue, or project management fees which could include salary costs. These should not normally exceed 10% of the grant value.

How much you can apply for? You can apply for us to £3,000 per year. Please note that the grant will be paid in arrears, on submission of appropriate evidence that all work and activities have been completed satisfactorily. Alternatively, suppliers and contractors can be paid directly by the Foundation where required.

Under no circumstances will grants be awarded retrospectively i.e. you must apply for and be approved for grant funding before any project work or activity takes place.

Grants should be drawn down within 12 months from the award date. For projects where the grant awards run over multiple years, each phase must be completed in line with the grant offer terms and conditions agreed at the time of the award. If you do not draw down your grant within the agreed period, the Community Fund Committee (CFC) has the discretion to recommend a time extension to the Foundation or may recommend withdrawal of the award.

It is an important requirement of this Fund, that if your application is successful you will be required to pay 10% of the amount awarded to the Banks Group, prior to your grant being released. No grant funding will be paid to your organisation until this money has been received by us. The contribution can be made by any business, local authority, applicant organisation (through fundraising activities only, proof will be required), or local resident, who should hold no interest in the project e.g. financial or reputational gain.

Hook Moor Wind Farm Community Fund - The geographical boundaries for fund eligibility will normally be restricted to the parishes of Aberford and Micklefield. Projects outside of this area may be eligible if it can be shown that they benefit local people from Aberford and Micklefield parishes.

You Must: -be a not-for-profit, voluntary or community group,social enterprise or registered charity -have a governing document (constitution/set of rules) -have a management committee/governance body with at least four independent and unrelated members. -have a bank or building society account in the name of the group, with a minimum of two unrelated cheque signatories -not have received a previous grant from us which was not managed satisfactorily( i.e. not returned satisfactory monitoring information). If so, you must contact us before completing this form.

What we will not fund: • The advancement of religion or political activities • Activities understood to be the responsibility of statutory authorities • Projects outside the area of benefit • Activities contrary to the interests of the Funder or any associated entities • Activities likely to bring into disrepute the Fund, the Funder or the Foundation • Retrospective funding i.e. paying for costs incurred before a grant has been formally approved by the CFC and ratified by the Foundation • Services or facilities already funded by the local authority or other statutory body at the time of application (other than as part of a match funding application) • Projects of no benefit to the community of environment in the area of benefit • applications from national or regional charities with no specific projects in the eligible area • Projects relating to improvements to land that is not open to the general public • Requests for sponsorship • Requests for deficit or retrospective funding for projects and activities that have already taken place • Statutory or other legal duty of a governmental department, local authority or other public body to carry on. • Individuals

Please note that in submitting your application you, or a person in your organisation who knows the details of your application, should be available to speak to us during the next month. Applications can take up to 12 weeks before a decision is made.