THE SOLWAYBANK WINDFARM COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND

The total amount of funding expected over the lifetime of Solwaybank Windfarm Community Benefit Fund will be £1.5 million.  The Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) offers an annual discount to the electricity bills of those properties closest to the windfarm.  The Scheme is open to all residential, business and community buildings (including Schools, Places of Worship and Village Halls).  For more information on LEDS, please visit https://leds.res-group.com

Solwaybank Windfarm Community Benefit Fund will receive an annual contribution from Solwaybank Energy Ltd of at least £60,000 (index linked over the operational life) to contribute to community activities in the following areas:

• Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk
• Canonbie and District
• Kirkpatrick Fleming and District
• Kirtle and Eaglesfield
• Middlebie and Waterbeck

The Solwaybank Windfarm Community Benefit Fund will be awarded to projects through an Open Grant Application process.

Application Forms are available to download from the DECBG website www.decbg.org.uk or obtained by emailing decbgscio@gmail.com or telephoning or texting 07733 121836.

The Grants process is administered and initial assessments of applications made by The Southern Uplands Partnership.  The Solwaybank Windfarm Advisory Management Panel of DECBG will make the decisions on all applications to Solwaybank Windfarm Community Benefit Fund.

New from 1st December 2022 – Solwaybank Small Grants Fund and Solwaybank Education and Training Fund – further information in documents available to download opposite, or contact Jamie Dent at jamie@sup.org.uk or 07391 618359 or your local Community Council.

Who can apply for funding from Solwaybank Windfarm Community Benefit Fund?

Applicants to the Solwaybank Windfarm Community Benefit Fund must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply:

• The community must live within the environs of the Windfarm, including, but not limited to, communities within 10km of the turbines.
• Applications must be from constituted groups and operate on a not-for-profit basis (copy of Constitution or governing document must be submitted).  Applications from individuals will only be accepted if it can be demonstrated that the project will benefit the wider community.
• Applicants must have a Bank Account in the name of the Group with non-related signatories.  Individuals must have a bank account in their own name (copy of Bank Statements must be submitted).
• Applicants must provide their latest set of accounts or cashflow projections where accounts are not available.

What can be funded from the Solwaybank Windfarm Community Benefit Fund?

Projects and initiatives that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities within the Solwaybank Windfarm area and enhance the lives of those living and working in the area will be supported.

Applications are welcomed that fall into the following categories:

• Enhance the quality of life for local residents;
• Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities;
• Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Priority will be given to projects which can demonstrate:

• Local consultation – evidence that the local community has been consulted and is supportive of the project;
• Strategic projects – with longer term impacts and benefits;
• Partnership working – working with other organisations (e.g. voluntary, local, regional or national) to add value to a project.
• Local procurement – using local suppliers and providers for goods and services, where possible.
• Environmental considerations – consideration of the project’s carbon footprint and minimising the environmental impact.
• Match funding of at least 10% of the project cost will normally be required, but projects with more match funding to add to the value of the project and maximise the Community Benefit funding are preferred.  100% funding will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and is at the discretion of the Advisory Panel.  In-kind match funding will be considered.

Consideration of the following types of projects will be made on a case by case basis, subject to availability of funding:

• Multi-year projects (usually up to a maximum of three years).
• Staff costs may be considered provided: there is a detailed Job Description; specific project outputs; a plan showing what will happen to the post once the project is completed (i.e. termination of post or details of how the post will become self-supporting and sustainable).

Applicants should be aware that projects supported through the Funds will be publicised on the DECBG website to promote and raise awareness of the Funds.

What will not be supported?

Projects which include the following activity cannot be supported:

• Religious purposes (where one religious group would benefit over another or the promotion or activities of any religious group).  Where a religious building (Church, Church Hall etc) is a community resource and the application is for the improvement of the community hub which would benefit the whole community, this would be acceptable.
• Political purposes (applications which promote political views or the activities of political groups cannot be supported);
• Entertainment or hospitality purposes (where funds would be used to offer a gift, hospitality or entertainment with the intention of achieving an advantage over others);
• Funding cannot be awarded to be spent at the discretion of a person or legal entity;
• Any purpose which is averse to Solwaybank Energy Ltd, Windfarms, renewable energy industry or the electricity industry;
• Funding for a service which is provided by, or is the legal responsibility of, the local authority or other public authority or a statutory responsibility, will not normally be approved.
• Projects which cannot demonstrate the capacity to benefit the wider community;
• Contingency amounts will not normally be supported.
• Funding will not be provided for loans or the repayment of loans or debts.  Leasing costs may be considered where it can be demonstrated that this is more cost-effective than outright purchase.
• Retrospective funding will not normally be supported (costs which have already been incurred before a decision on an application to the Fund is made).
• Repeat applications for core funding / running costs of organisations.
• Activities likely to bring Dumfriesshire East Community Benefit Group SCIO, The Southern Uplands Partnership or Solwaybank Energy Ltd into disrepute.

What amounts of funding can be applied for?

The Solwaybank Windfarm Community Benefit Fund will not normally support projects with an award below £1,000.  There is no maximum level but the annual fund will be a minimum of £60k and efforts will be made to support a number of projects.
Where demand exceeds supply, it may not be possible to support your project, or you may be awarded a lesser amount than that requested.

Funding may be approved / committed but not available for payment until the next tranche of funding is received from Solwaybank Energy Ltd.
The maximum that can be applied for is normally 90%.

Depending on the type of project, funding awards over £10,000 may be subject to staged payments.

Please note that you will be required to provide receipts as evidence of expenditure within three months of the completion date of your project.

When and how can applications be made?

Applications must be submitted on the Solwaybank Windfarm Community Benefit Fund Grant Application Form and sent with supporting documents.