Leisure Development Fund

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The Leisure Development Fund gives financial support for groups to provide and develop projects that benefit the people of West Dorset.

Grants are available for projects costing £1,000 or more with awards normally based upon 20% of the estimated cost, up to a maximum of £5,000. There are three deadlines - 1 April, 1 August, 1 December. We aim to process all grant applications within 8 weeks of the closing date.

When assessing applications to the Fund, the council will take account of the priorities in its adopted Sports Strategy 2012-2017 (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window)and Arts and Museums Support Plan 2012-2017 (pdf, 1Mb) (opens in a new window).

Which projects are eligible?

sport as defined by Sport England
a defined arts project as set out in West Dorset District Council's Arts and Museums support plan (pdf, 1Mb) (opens in a new window)
"Accredited" museum related projects
play areas in West Dorset villages
village hall projects in West Dorset

Typical projects that the scheme can support:

putting on an event, such as an arts festival
equipment for arts centres
improvements in museums
new buildings, such as sports changing rooms
expanding or improving sports facilities
floodlighting
play areas
improvements and repairs to village halls
equipment for village halls that will benefit multiple groups

View the awards made from the Leisure Development Fund in 2015-2016 (pdf, 114kb) (opens in a new window).

Who can apply?

In order for your organisation to be eligible you must:

be a voluntary or not-for-profit organisation with a constitution and bank account, a registered charity a town or parish council or school (for community use)
have facilities or events which are available to non-members on reasonable terms
operate a satisfactory pricing policy and promote access for members and non-members
not have sufficient funds in reserve to undertake the project without district council financial assistance
have reasonable security of tenure for at least 20 years if the project relates to premises
demonstrate that the project is seeking to attract new participants/members or to develop new audiences
demonstrate that the project serves the population of West Dorset and/or people on holiday in West Dorset
be a village hall management committee to submit an application for funding towards a village hall

What is not funded:

individuals
personal sports equipment
the purchase of land for future development unless it follows immediately
running costs, consumable items, redecorating costs, and general maintenance
projects without clearly defined beginning or end dates
projects with a cost of less than £1,000
activities that are part of the curricular activity in schools
loan repayments or road vehicles
play equipment or community halls in any of the 6 West Dorset towns
heritage projects that are not related to an Accredited museum
sports or play area projects that have been awarded a grant within the last two years
projects that have already started or where expenditure has already been committed