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- Applications must be made prior to any work on the project being undertaken. Retrospective applications will not be considered. No grant will be made in respect of any project on which work has started, or to which the applicants have committed by purchase, contract or binding agreement before receiving an offer of grant, unless they have obtained the consent of Dorset Community Action (Without Prejudice Permission).
- Grants may only be used for the purposes for which they are awarded. Any unauthorised departure from the approved plan could invalidate the application and could result in the withdrawal of a grant or funding already provided being repaid.
- Grants are not normally made in respect of property subject to a mortgage or loan secured on the property; please discuss with the Village & Community Halls Advisor (V&CHA)
- All projects under category A must be completed within two years from the date the grant is approved. Category B projects must be completed within nine moths of the offer being made UNLESS permission is given for an extension to these timescales.
- Where an application for grant is towards the cost of the acquisition of land or buildings, Dorset County Council willtake advice as to the value of the properly and grant will not be given on expenditure in excess of the price recommended by the County Valuer. Where an application is accepted provisionally, the Dorset County Council will be prepared, if desired, for County Valuer to negotiate purchase on behalf of the applicants. Negotiations for purchase with the aid of grant should not be entered into until the proposals are approved in principle and a provisional offer of grant is made.
- All grants provided derive from public funds and grant payments and all supporting documentation may be subject to audit by the internal audit staff of Dorset County Council or by any of the Councils’ external auditors. This may include a site visit.
- A firm offer of a Capital Grant having been made, initial acceptance of the grant and the applying terms must be received within three month otherwise the grant may be nullified and the funds may be used to support other projects.
- For category A projects a sum of up to 10% may be claimed upon commencement of the work on site. A further 40% may be claimed half way through the work and a further 40% upon completion. A final sum of 10% will be paid after inspection by the Director of Dorset County Council’s Building Design Practice or his representative.
- For category B projects a single claim should be made on completion of the work by submission of copies of all relevant invoices. This payment may be made less 10% until the work has been inspected either by the Village and Community Halls Adviser or an appointed representative