Grants Policy

This page contains information about how the Council awards and provides funding to groups and organisations through grants.

What are grants?

Grants are agreements made with third parties to provide funds for an agreed purpose and subject to conditions. They must support a policy objective and/or promote the public good. 

While they are most commonly used to provide funds to not-for-profit organisations and groups, such as charities, they can also be awarded to individuals and businesses.

Grant funded activity is different to procurement activity and contracts. 

Types of grants

There are two types of grants which we might consider making. 

Competitive grants 

Grants might be awarded through a competitive process in support of activity which meets the Council’s objectives. 

Grant-aid or strategic grants

Grant-aid or strategic grants tend to be made in more limited circumstances.

This type of grant might be made to an organisation in general support of its activities, where there is strong alignment with the Council’s objectives. 

About our Grants Policy

Our Grants Policy has been developed to ensure that the processes for awarding grants to third parties are transparent, equitable, accountable, and aligned with its priorities and objectives.

It establishes the principles and procedures for the assessment, approval, and monitoring of grant funding to ensure funds are used effectively and for their intended purpose.

The policy applies to all employees and Members of the Council who are involved in the design, assessment, approval, administration, or monitoring of grants awarded by the Council to third parties such as:

• community organisations
• research bodies
• individuals
• educational or not-for-profit institutions
• businesses

All grants awarded by the Council will adhere to a set of principles and standards. 

Grants transparency 

We will regularly publish details of grants that are made through the Grants Policy. This will be at least annually, with the first list to be published in summer 2026.

The details that will be included are:

• the financial value of the grant
• the date awarded
• the time period covered
• a short description of the purpose of the grant