NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNCIL – Third Sector Grant Applications Advice Issued

Third Sector Grant Applications Advice Issued

Advice has been issued to help organisations who wish to apply for core funding from Neath Port Talbot Council’s Third Sector Grant Scheme following changes made to the Scheme that will be effective in 2019-20.

Core funding includes the core costs of running and developing an organisation or more specifically the costs to help it carry out a particular project or service. From 2019-20 those organisations who are bidding for core funding will need to make a commitment to helping the Council implement its Corporate Plan in eight areas that were subject of public consultation over the summer/early autumn.

Cllr. Anthony Taylor, Deputy Leader and Voluntary Sector Champion for Neath Port Talbot Council, said:

“As a council we have always valued the work that third sector organisations do for the benefit of local people and communities. Since taking up office in May 2017, the Leader and I have made a renewed commitment to working closely with our voluntary and community sector and the changes we have made to our Third Sector Grant Scheme in 2019 reflects that work. We have made a firm commitment to work together for the benefits of our community.

“The Scheme outlines the types of activities the Council will provide support for and in return we are seeking the support of the organisations we fund to help us promote our on-line services; increase the number of people attending events across the county borough and identify gaps in services that the third sector might be able to fill. Working together in this way will help us provide protection for important local services at these very challenging times.”

To enable organisations to demonstrate how they will do this we have issued some additional guidance. The guidance outlines eight areas that organisations need to meet in order for their application to be considered. Amongst these are the requirements to promote the take up of the Council’s on-line services through the Switch brand and help people to access those on-line services, to encourage participation in Council and local community-run events to support well-being and to leverage in additional funding.

Other areas are to promote the Council’s Community Directory (Dewis) so that there is a good understanding of all the services that are available within the local area and how to access them, to encourage the identification and development of local early intervention and prevention services and facilitate access to those services and to support, inform and promote the Council’s priorities. Applicants must also evidence how they will contribute to engagement and communications campaigns to improve understanding within communities of the Council’s priorities and services and where appropriate, provide a physical space that can facilitate co-location of workers from across the public service to provide more integrated services that respond to the needs of local people and communities.

The Third Sector Grants Funding Scheme in Neath Port Talbot is currently open for applications for the 2019-2020 financial year with new, emerging and established third sector organisations invited to apply for grants by 4th December 2018.

Grants for up to three years will be considered for organisations who demonstrate their activities support the Council’s priorities.

Further information and application forms can be downloaded from the Council’s website www.npt.gov.uk, alternatively paper copies can be obtained by emailing: thirdsectorgrants@npt.gov.uk or ringing (01639) 686172.