Local Infrastructure Fund
Update - September 2020The latest round of the Local Infrastructure Fund is now closed and more information on the successful projects that have been awarded funding can be found below. The council is currently reviewing all its grant schemes, alongside the new priorities identified in the Council Plan 2020 to 2024 to develop a coordinated and effective approach in order to support community groups and projects in the future. This will ensure the collective work of the council and the voluntary and community sector across the borough makes the biggest difference to residents’ lives. More information will be made available as soon as possible. |
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The council recognises the value of community activity and the need to have sustainable infrastructure to deliver this. Through the Local Infrastructure Fund (LIF), communities can work with their local ward councillors to identify community infrastructure needs and apply for funding for projects that would make the most difference for local residents.
Since January 2014, when the LIF programme started, £7.1 million has been allocated to support 108 projects right across the borough. These projects have benefited local communities through extended and refurbished community centres and village halls, improved sports facilities and playgrounds, better parking and access arrangements and enriched public spaces.
On this page
Who can apply for the fund?
- Constituted voluntary or community and not-for-profit making organisations representing their local communities
- Parish or Town Councils
- Schools and churches, but only where the project will benefit the wider community, see exclusions below.
- Where no suitable applicant exists, ward councillors may present an application which, if supported, may be delivered via the council's capital programme. Agreement must first be reached with the relevant officers that the project can be delivered in this way.
What types of projects could be supported?
LIF grants are available from £3,000 to £200,000 to support projects that improve existing, or establish new, facilities for community, sport, education or public amenity use. Schemes should ensure that facilities are safe, accessible and fit for purpose and address gaps in local community provision or increase community involvement. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis but these are the main priorities for funding:
- Health and safety requirements (such as roof repairs, sports-related play surfaces, boiler or heating system replacement, re-wiring, dry rot).
- Improvements to accessibility (such as ramps, accessible toilets, parking, foot and cycle path, lighting).
- Modernisation where there is evidence the existing condition is affecting use (such as kitchen, toilets, sports pitches, play parks, hall flooring).
- Extensions, new buildings or facilities to meet increased demand or proven deficits in local provision (such as extended community facilities, cemetery provision, skate parks, youth buildings) or feasibility studies to determine viability of such projects.
Exclusions for funding
- There are some specific exclusions to LIF grants and you cannot apply for the following:
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- Revenue funding (staff and general running costs including low level repairs)
- Projects where there is an alternative primary source of funding made available by the council (e.g. low carbon loans)
- Equipment and non-fixed fittings such as furniture or curtains
- Works on private property where public access is not secured or that mainly benefit an individual or for-profit organisation
- Projects that exclusively promote political or religious activities
- Projects that have already started before a funding decision is made
- The following types of projects will be ineligible for funding except in the specific circumstances shown below. If your project:
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- involves work that would normally be the responsibility of another organisation, such as the borough or county council or a government agency, for highway improvements, street lighting, signage or similar work, it will be ineligible unless there is evidence of a broader public benefit (e.g. community safety) and the responsible authority confirms that the work is outside its scope and is prepared to take on future maintenance responsibility
- relates to school or religious facilities it will be ineligible unless those facilities are made available for more general community use beyond predominantly school or church related activity, without discrimination. This wider community benefit and lack of alternative facilities will need to be clearly evidenced
- is based outside of the borough it will be ineligible unless there is a clear reason for this and evidence to show a substantial benefit to Basingstoke and Deane residents.
If any of these points apply to your proposal this can be discussed at the Expression of Interest stage and, if the proposal is then taken forward, the application form allows you to provide more detailed evidence on which your proposal will be assessed.
- involves work that would normally be the responsibility of another organisation, such as the borough or county council or a government agency, for highway improvements, street lighting, signage or similar work, it will be ineligible unless there is evidence of a broader public benefit (e.g. community safety) and the responsible authority confirms that the work is outside its scope and is prepared to take on future maintenance responsibility
Projects supported to date
Please see the documents below to view the projects supported to date:
LIF projects supported September 2020(XLSX) [24 kb]
LIF projects supported September 2020(CSV) [24 kb]
If you need this information in a different format, such as large print, please contact customer.service@basingstoke.gov.uk or call 01256 844844.