Arts and heritage Grant Programme

 

Investment priority – Communities and Place

Intervention E6: Funding for support for local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities

Delivery: April 2025 until 31 March 2026

April 2025- March 2026
Total Budget Breakdown:	£65,500 in total available £15,000 available for capital grants £50,500 available for revenue grants

Indicative fund allocation: Up to £5000 Max – Exceptions to this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis

You can apply for up to £5000 and should request the UKSPF C&P E6 Grant Funding Application Form.  Before commencing any application, you must liaise with Georgina Lancaster the Arts and Heritage Officer or Michelle Cleaver the UKSPF Programme Officer to discuss your project. In the first instance email: ukspf@bassetlaw.gov.uk and request a call regarding the grant application. 

Call opens: 7 May 2025 at 12noon                                                        

Call Closes: 6 June at 12noon

Evaluation of applications to commence: 9 June 2025

Notification of outcome to applicants: Week commencing 23 June 2025

UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

The UK government has set out an ambitious plan for change, focused on 5 national Missions: ambitious, measurable, long-term objectives that provide a driving sense of purpose for the country.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) proactively supports Mission-delivery: pushing power out to communities everywhere, with a specific focus to help kickstart economic growth and promoting opportunities in all parts of the UK.

The UK government’s Autumn Budget announced a further £900 million of funding for local investment by March 2026. All areas of the UK are receiving a further allocation of UKSPF - helping places take advantage of the Fund’s flexibility and plan now for delivery from April 2025.

For 2025-26, we have mapped existing interventions into Mission-led themes across the three priority areas: Communities and Place; Support for Local Business; and People and Skills (see diagram below).

The Fund’s mix of revenue and capital funding will ensure places deliver directly on the foremost Mission to kickstart economic growth. Alongside this, it will support the four remaining Missions, helping those at risk of being left behind and boost community cohesion, including supporting efforts to address homelessness, in areas right across the UK.

Bassetlaw District Council

Bassetlaw District Council, as the lead authority, has been allocated £1,386,617 for the overall programme for the period 2025-2026.

This grant relates to investment priority – Communities & Place

Intervention E6: Arts and Heritage Grant Programme

Bassetlaw District Council recognises the important and valuable contribution that the voluntary and community sector (VCS) brings to the area, and why it is paramount to invest in the sector to build further capacity in the area.

Through the fund, the Council wants to make it easier for VCS groups to access smaller amounts of funding for projects that will make a difference in their local neighbourhoods.

Notification of the results of your application will occur in June 2026. This will be notified to the applicant in the award letter.

The grant objective

Will your project strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging, through community-led arts, cultural, heritage and/or creative programmes?  Does your organisation work at grass roots and local community level across a wide range of activities?

Who can apply?

• Registered charities/community associations
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO)
• Community Interest Companies (CIC) limited by guarantee (and have charitable objectives)
• Community Benefit Societies (Bencom)
• Constituted Community Groups
• Faith Groups, where the activity is not promoting religion
• Organisations that will deliver projects to Bassetlaw District residents

Indicative outputs	Indicative outcomes
Number of organisations receiving grants Number of organisations receiving non-financial support Number of local events or activities supported Number of potential entrepreneurs assisted to be enterprise ready Number of volunteering opportunities supported Number of individuals receiving non-financial support	Jobs created Increased footfall Increased visitor numbers Improved perception of facilities/amenities Improved engagement numbers Number of socially excluded individuals attending creative programmes Number of economically inactive individuals attending creative programmes Number of community-led arts, cultural heritage and creative programmes Improved perception of events

UKSPF Outputs and Outcomes relating to intervention E6.

In addition to UKSPF outputs and outcomes, the following place-based priorities need to be supported:

• District-wide community and voluntary grant programme but strong consideration needs to be given to the following areas in the district; this includes but is not exclusive to:
  • Worksop – Cheapside
  • Worksop – Manton
  • Worksop – Sandy Lane
  • Carlton-in-Lindrick – Wimpey Estate
  • Harworth & Bircotes
  • East Retford East, West, North & South
  • Rural areas/communities
• Work in conjunction with UKSPF funded Community Hubs that will be operational in:
  • Worksop – Cheapside
  • Worksop – Sandy Lane
  • Carlton-in-Lindrick – Wimpey Estate
  • Harworth & Bircotes
• Work in conjunction with the UKSPF funded Arts and Heritage Officer and grant programme to deliver community based activities
• Pride in place: improving people’s satisfaction with where they live
• Enhancing engagement in community activities, community cohesion, and addressing anti-social behaviour
• Tackle social isolation across the district, but with a particular focus on rural areas/needs
• Improve health and wellbeing
• Creating volunteer opportunities
• Data relating to district needs can be identified in the published State of the District Report.

Type of projects we will fund

Following a wide consultation with a range of strategic partners and resident groups, example projects we can fund are detailed below.  The following list includes gaps in provision that have been identified but also link to the place- based priorities listed above:

• Enterprise focussed events
• Events or projects which engage young adults who are socially inactive or excluded
• Events or projects which engage young people in music, arts, creative activities or something similar
• Events which directly relate to arts, museums, and libraries
• A tutor to deliver activities (not existing staffing costs)
• Projects which promote suicide prevention awareness in conjunction with a particular charity
• A music club or event
• Music lessons/tuition workshops (not existing staff costs)
• Arts and heritage projects which promote Pride in Place – developing artwork, trails, sculpture, murals, community art or local heritage interests for example
• Projects which highlight the impact of climate change for example: visual arts/installation/sculpture or mural

There’s a huge variety of projects and activities that we will support, including (but not limited to):

• Equipment such as art materials, hire of items such as musical instruments or sewing machines and/or specialist resources or materials needed to undertake the project.
• coaching or training activity (not existing staffing costs)
• project costs
• transport costs
• community events and activities

Projects we have funded before include:

• Identify and Loss Project at Aurora
• Bassetlaw Museum Costume Project
• Harworth and Bircotes Pride Sculpture
• Illuminate Lantern Project
• Markham Clinton Community Project
• Leverton Windmill’s Scrimshaw’s Scramble
• Grove Church Heritage Project.

Capital items you could apply for could include:

• computers, printers, etc.
• tools or specialist equipment
• Improvements to facilities that support community access and/or to improve health and well-being
• New outdoor play equipment (including accessible outdoor equipment) to provide an exciting and safe play area for local children and families, offering opportunities for physical activity and community interaction in an open, public space.
• Green / horticultural improvements to open spaces such as the development of an ‘all year round’ community garden for the benefit of all members of the community.
• Memorial and heritage improvements, such as the construction of a permanent and accessible paved foundation for a memorial.
• Signs and information or interpretation boards that improve the community and/or visitor experience such as brown tourist signs to direct visitors to Nottinghamshire attractions, signposts and information boards that include points of interest within a park, gateway signs upon entering a village.
• Fixtures and fittings (items that are fitted into a building but could be removed more easily than integral features, for example fire alarm systems – see GOV.UK for more information)

All applications must provide evidence of ‘not for profit’ status, projects, activities in relation to their application.

Financial clawback may be requested by Bassetlaw District Council if money spent fails to meet criteria or funds provided are used for ineligible costs outlined below.

Eligible costs

• Funding for resources and materials to support the specified project
• Funding for specialist practitioners to support the project (musicians, dancers, specialist artists); the grant will not fund existing staffing costs
• Transport costs for volunteers or resources
• Transport costs to enable participants to access services
• Funding for costs such as advertising, leaflets and posters to promote the project
• Applicants must ensure that the project is compliant with the UK Subsidy Control Regime and will be asked to demonstrate this within their application.
• Applicants must be legally constituted, and if the application is approved, the applicant organisation will enter into a legally binding funding agreement and therefore will carry the liability for ensuring that the terms and conditions of the funding agreement are met.
• Funding must be used to support and deliver activity in Bassetlaw only
• The grant can be used for basic refreshments such as tea & coffee for volunteers

Ineligible costs

The following costs are considered ineligible and must not be included in applications:

• Paid for lobbying, entertaining, petitioning, or challenging decisions, which means using the fund to lobby (via an external firm or in-house staff) in order to undertake activities intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, government, or political activity, including the receipt of UKSPF funding, or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action
• Payments for activities of a political or exclusively religious nature
• VAT reclaimable from HMRC
• Gifts or payments for gifts or donations
• Statutory fines, criminal fines, or penalties
• Payments for works or activities that the lead local authority, project deliverer, end beneficiary, or any member of their partnership has a statutory duty to undertake or that are fully funded by other sources
• Contingencies and contingent liabilities
• Bad debts, costs resulting from the deferral of payments to creditors, or winding up a company
• Expenses in respect of litigation, unfair dismissal, or other compensation
• Costs incurred by individuals in setting up and contributing to private pension schemes
• Maintenance of existing buildings
• Cost of staff
• Insurance
• Monies can only be predominantly focused on delivering operational projects, not the purchase or construction of equipment or buildings
• The grant should not be used to fund staff or consultants to deliver their project
• The grant does not cover retrospective costs; it must be for a new project.
• The grant does not fund vouchers, prizes, gifts or incentives for people involved in the project.
• The grant must not be used to purchase alcohol and no more than 5% of the grant must be spent on catering, food or drinks.

Contribution rate and match funding

• UKSPF must not be used to replace existing funding sources. UKSPF must enable activity to take place that would not otherwise happen or to increase the scope, scale, or intensity of activity
• There is no specific requirement for match funding. If an organisation can demonstrate some level of match, however, this will be viewed favourably. This can be in financial or resource support
• Payment terms will be agreed with successful applicants prior to signing the grant agreement.
• Events/workshops should not require a fee for attendance

How to apply for the grant programme

The following documents must be requested from UKSPF@bassetlaw.gov.uk by applicants in order to be considered for funding. Please send them back to UKSPF@bassetlaw.gov.uk once they are completed.

For constituted organisations (up to £5,000):

• UKSPF C&P E6 Grant Funding Application Form
• Bassetlaw Budget and Performance Profile

In addition, please email one of the following to support your application:

• A copy of audited accounts for the last two years.
• A statement of the turnover, profit and loss account (income statement), balance sheet (statement of financial position), and statement of cash flow for the most recent year of trading for this organisation
• Alternative means of demonstrating financial status if any of the aforementioned are not available, such as a forecast of turnover for the current year and a statement of funds provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts, or another method

Before we award the grant, we will need to see copies of the following:

• Equality and Diversity Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Public Liability Insurance Policy

Completed applications must be submitted by 6th June at 12noon

Assessment Criteria

Stage 1: Gateway criteria

Criteria	Pass	Fail	Partial
Criteria 1: Application signed, fully completed and returned on time
Criteria 2: Applicant meets eligibility criteria e.g. confirmed V&C Org.
Criteria 3: Economic and Financial Standing* Finance Risk *
Criteria 4: Prior Contract Performance
Criteria 5: Provision of Subsidies
Criteria 6: Policies
Criteria 7: Liability Insurance

*These will also be assessed via due diligence checks.

Applications that fail any criterion cannot progress to Stage 2: Scoring.

For the questions which have been assessed as partial, progress to Stage 2 is allowed. Scoring will be allowed with justification from the Assessor.

Stage 2: Scoring

Excluding the ‘small grant application form’, the maximum score for each question is 5, based on the scoring framework below, but some are weighted through the multiplication of the assigned score. For example, questions in Section 4 Project/Programme Details, a score of 5 weighted by a factor of 2 will equal a total score of 10 per question. The maximum score and multiplication weightings are shown on the application form in the dark grey box to the right of each question. For the smaller grant form, the maximum score is 5 for some of the questions with no extra weighting.

Score	Assessment	Description
0	Unacceptable	Response to the question is unacceptable, or no response was received. Does not give the fund confidence in the ability of the bidder to deliver the contract.
1	Poor/Weak response	Inadequate detail provided, or some of the answers are not directly relevant to the question. Is supported by none or a weak standard of evidence in several areas, giving rise to concern about the ability of the bidder to deliver the contract.
2	Below Expectations	Limited information provided and/or a response that is inadequate or only partially addresses the question giving rise to concern about the ability of the bidder to deliver the contract.
3	Satisfactory Response	Acceptable response in terms of the level of detail, accuracy, and relevance. Is supported by a satisfactory standard of evidence in most areas, but a few areas lack detail or evidence, giving rise to some concerns about the ability of the bidder to deliver the contract.
4	Good Response	Comprehensive response in terms of detail and relevance to the question and supported by a good standard of evidence. Gives the fund confidence in the ability of the bidder to deliver the contract. Meets the fund’s requirements.
5	Very Good Response	As good, but to a better degree in terms of precision and relevance. Is comprehensive and supported by a high standard of evidence. Gives the fund a high level of confidence in the ability of the bidder to deliver the contract. May exceed the Fund’s requirements in some respects; for example, added value such as integration or synergy with other projects

Stage 3. Moderation

Funding will be awarded to the applicants with the highest scores.

The Council reserves the right to invite applicants to an interview when scores are very close and/or clarification is required.

Notification of invitation to bid outcome

Once the outcome of the assessment process has been notified to all applicants, organisations can request feedback on their applications and scoring.

Evaluating the Project

If you are successful, evidence of your spend will be required. Depending on the amount of grant you receive, you may need to attend monthly/quarterly meetings, provide invoices and receipts and/or submit a report at the end of the project which could include photographs of the event/workshop.

Communication and marketing

BDC will want to share details of the funding allocations, grant recipients and the projects it has funded.  Hence, it is expected that you will share detail of your project with our comms team and provide regular updates that we can share on our various websites and platforms.  To that end, project deliverers must ensure that the appropriate UK government and BDC logos are used prominently in all communications materials and public facing documents relating to funded activity – including print and publications, through to digital and electronic materials.

Logos that will be required for social media posts and promotions linked to funding:

• UK Government
• Bassetlaw District Council

For further information or questions please email: ukspf@bassetlaw.gov.uk

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Last Updated on Wednesday, May 7, 2025