Use this page for guidance on the Ward Councillors Empowerment fund and guidance on how councillors can apply for funding.
The Ward Councillor Empowerment Fund provides every ward councillor with £1,000 for 2024-25 and £1,000 for the following year, to address concerns or needs in their local communities.
Projects funded by the scheme have included public realm improvements, community and educational facilities, environmental projects, food banks and Christmas lights. View previous projects on a map.
Only ward councillors can apply for funding, but councillors may pool their funds to work in partnership. To qualify for funding, projects must address at least one of the council's corporate priorities, and demonstrate that they have local support.
Read the key points and guidance notes before applying
1. Introduction:
- The WCEF aims to support local projects that address concerns or needs of a local area.
- It provides pump priming for local-based projects either within a ward or across ward boundaries.
- Supports voluntary and community organisations, parish and town councils, and other public sector partners in delivering council core priorities.
- Encourages partnership working and helps build more sustainable communities.
- Councillors must demonstrate community support or support from local Parish Councils in their applications.
- Funds can be pooled across the district, and within the city of Bath, collaborative approaches may benefit certain issues and projects.
2. Criteria:
- Projects must meet at least one of the Council's corporate priorities which include addressing the climate emergency, delivering for local residents, focusing on prevention, and giving people a bigger say.
- Projects should be supported by the local community, village, neighbourhood, Parish, or Town Council (where relevant).
- Match funding or equivalent in-kind support (e.g., volunteer time) should be demonstrated whenever possible.
- Projects should evidence need and demonstrate how they will address local priorities.
- Community support and consultation should be evident.
- A lead organisation with a valid bank account must be involved.
- When a council service is delivering a project, evidence of agreement from the service area must be provided.
- Planning or licensing consents, if required, should be detailed in the application.
We are not able to fund:
- Individuals
- Medical research
- Solely running costs
- Political groups or activities promoting political beliefs
- Projects that have already been completed
- Promotion of any religion, faith, or belief
3. Project Costs:
Details of all related project costs, including match funding or in-kind support (e.g., volunteering hours valued at £10 per hour), should be included in the application. Significant costs (e.g., design or project management) must be covered within the project budget.
4. Funding Allocation:
- Each Ward Councillor will be allocated a total of £3,000 over the three years (2023-2026) £1,000 will become available on the three dates - 1st April 2023, 1st April 2024, and 1st April 2025.
- Funding for years one and two can be rolled forward.
- Ward Councillors can pool funds within the same ward or across wards as long as the project benefits all of the included wards.
5. Application Process:
- Applications must be submitted by the Ward Councillor.
- More than one application can be submitted.
- Consent from the recipient organisation or service area must be obtained before submitting the application.
- Relevant Ward Councillors should be notified if the project spans a wide geographical area.
- Additional information can be submitted along with the application.
- The completed application form must be submitted using the online form or by email to WCI@bathnes.gov.uk.
6. Deadline:
All application forms must be submitted by March 31, 2026.
7. Decision Process:
Applications will be processed within eight weeks of receipt. If approval is not given, the application will be returned with a reasoned explanation. Approved applicants will be notified by email, and details will be recorded on the decision register.
8. Terms and Conditions:
- A grant agreement document will be sent to successful applicants, which must be completed and returned.
- Funding will be transferred directly to the recipient's bank account (no cheques issued).
- Bath & North East Somerset Council will transfer funds to service areas if they are undertaking the work.
- The recipient organisation must sign a written acceptance of the funding's terms and conditions.
- A written report on the project and valid receipts for funding expenditure must be provided.