Ward Funds explained

A resident or community group, can contact their local Ward Councillor requesting a Ward Fund donation giving a brief outline of what they intend the money to be used for.

If the Councillor wishes to support the scheme, they can complete an online form and submit to Democratic and Member Services at Bedford Borough Council.

When this application is received, and before accepting the application, the applicant/s will be contacted to verify the following details:

• The applicant/s must have all relevant policies in place regarding the proposed activity or spend.
• Two quotes must be submitted for each item of intended purchase.
• The applicant/s must have a relevant bank account applicable to a group/organisation, this cannot have an individual person's name on the account.
• The Ward Fund cannot fund any purchases already made or works already done.

If you don't know who your local Ward Councillor is you can find them here. 

What is covered by Ward Funding

Projects must be consistent with Ward Fund criteria and subject to this a Councillor may use their allocation to provide:

• One off project, equipment or other costs.
• Contributions to celebration events that will provide ongoing benefits to the community or have a follow-up plan of community engagement.
• Start up costs for a new group or organisation.
• Start up costs for Parish Council Liaison meetings in their Ward.
• Match funding for projects – evidence will be required that such funding has been secured.
• VAT costs if the organisation is not VAT registered and therefore unable to claim back the VAT incurred.

Where a Community Group to which a Councillor wishes to make a donation does not have a constitution or bank account, the donation may be made via a partnership organisation, if they are willing to act as an agent for the Group concerned. Examples of partnership organisations are Parish Councils, the Council for Voluntary Service, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity.

What is not covered by Ward Funding

The following will not be covered by Ward Funding:

• Ongoing revenue or maintenance costs.
• Insurance, planning etc. application costs, solicitors or other fees.
• Donations to individuals.
• Donations to commercial bodies or events.
• Direct staffing costs.
• Premises rental (unless these form an element of the start up costs for a new group/organisation or for Parish Council Liaison meetings)
• Match fees for sports fixtures.
• VAT costs if the organisation is VAT registered and able to reclaim the VAT incurred.