Duloe Community Grant Schemes

Community Grant Schemes

Duloe Parish Council operates two small grant schemes to support the well-being of its residents and strengthen the local community.

Grants may be awarded to voluntary groups, charitable organisations who are engaged in activities that directly benefit the Parish and its people, or to young people aged 16 to 18 to support their further education, studies, or learning.

These schemes are made possible through powers granted under Section 137(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972, which permits parish and town councils to allocate a portion of taxpayers’ funds to initiatives not otherwise specifically authorised—provided they promote the economic, social, or environmental well-being of the area, or support charities and not-for-profit organisations delivering public services in the UK.

As a flexible and responsive mechanism, Section 137 funding empowers the Council to address unmet local needs in a responsible and community-focused manner, with an annual financial limit based on population figures.

Duloe Parish Council is also very fortunate to receive funding from local groups and organisations for the Duloe Community Trust Fund. The Fund was set up to support 16–18 year olds living in the Parish of Duloe who would like financial help towards their further education or apprenticeship training, such as help with transport costs, books, equipment etc.

Duloe Community Trust Fund

Duloe Community Trust fund was set up in 2023 by Duloe Parish Council in conjunction with community groups and organisations in the Parish.

The fund is designed to support any young person aged 16-18, living within the Parish of Duloe, who is going on to further education or apprenticeship training. The grant given by the Community Trust Fund can be used to financially help towards their transport costs, books, equipment, uniforms etc.

In 2023, 8 students each received grant funding of £250, and 9 students received £350 in 2024. Last year we were delighted to be able to raise the grant to £375, and 10 young people benefitted from the fund.

The applications for 2026 have now closed and 12 students will be benefitting from the scheme this year.

Due to the rural nature of the Parish the cost of travel and associated costs of further education and training has been highlighted as a barrier for engagement. Feedback received from both parents/carers and from the young people receiving the grant has shown the need for the project – one email received said “thank you so much for the grant, it has been used to buy my uniform and equipment for my social work course. My mum is a single parent, and I wasn’t sure I could afford to go to College, and your grant has made a big difference. Thank you”. C, aged 16yrs old.

The Trust Fund is managed by representatives from the community groups that financially contribute, with Councillor Tony Barrett as Chair. The Parish Council act as the ‘bank’ and report to both the Trust Fund meetings and the Parish Council for transparency purposes.

The Trust Fund Committee are committed to the grant scheme and see this as a long-term project, supporting young people now and in the future, and hopes to support our young people and help them thrive.

If you would be interested in contributing towards the sustainability of the Duloe Community Trust Fund, please contact the Clerk of Duloe Parish Council for more information by emailing clerk@duloeparishcouncil.gov.uk

Small Grant Scheme

Duloe Parish Council may make small grants of £100 to voluntary groups or charitable organisations working for the benefit of the Parish and the local community.

To qualify for an award the applicant must be able to demonstrate that any funding from Duloe Parish Council will benefit the Parish, or residents of the Parish.

The process for application is as follows: Written letter addressed to the Clerk explaining what the money will be used for, and how it will benefit the people of the Parish of Duloe. Click here to download the guidance notes.

Grant applications can be agreed at any Council meeting throughout the year and are decided upon by the full Council. The Clerk will write to applicants the day after the meeting with the Councillor’s decision.

We are delighted to say that at the May Parish Council meeting two grants were awarded. The first to Duloe Primary Academy to support their fundraising School Colour Run event in July. The second was given to Duloe Garden Club to help with their work maintaining and enhancing the planting areas in the village.