1.1 Torbay Council supports charity, voluntary and community sector organisations because we believe that a vibrant Third Sector is vital to our community. The Council is committed to supporting organisations that deliver projects which have a beneficial impact on the local community and support one or more of the Council’s strategic themes from the Torbay Community and Corporate Plan.
2.1 This policy applies only to the allocation of the Torbay Community Grant Fund 2025/26 to the Third Sector, who may apply for grants of up to £40,000 of the £200,000 fund.
2.2 In exceptional circumstances, the panel may consider sums higher than £40,000 and applicants should contact comgrant25@torbay.gov.uk if they believe they have an exceptional case that warrants consideration.
2.3 This policy does not apply to any other means of financial support from the Council that may be available under other schemes.
3.1 The Council has introduced this fund to further support the vital work that is undertaken by the communities of Torbay. The fund is primarily designed to provide support for organisations providing projects of a capital nature (Capital expenditure can be defined as expenditure on a physical object, building or asset) but up to 25% of the total grant funding available may be allocated to applications for projects requiring revenue funding. Revenue funding applications will need to demonstrate lasting benefit to residents living in the communities they are designed to support.
3.2 Funding will only be provided where it can be demonstrated that a defined impact will be made that supports the ambitions and visions of the Community and Corporate Plan. Organisations should demonstrate an outcomes focus in applications for funding.
Applicants should demonstrate how the funding will achieve improvements within Bay’s most deprived areas that sit outside of Torquay, which is benefiting from other specific place-based funding.
Applications should also highlight where any Council funding will enable further funding and/or support from third parties.
3.3 Torbay Council residents will be the main recipients of the funding. The Council will require that all funding awards support the strategic themes of the Community and Corporate Plan, namely:
3.4 The Council retains the right to publicise all beneficiaries of the Community Grant Fund 2025/26 and the specific objectives that the funding will be used for.
4.1 Your organisation must:
And be either:
Or:
4.2 An organisation can only submit one application per year.
5.1 We will not permit applications for community grants funding:
5.2 The Council reserves the right to reject any application for any reason.
5.3 The Council reserves the right to cease to license any organisation with a minimum of 7 days notice for any reason. If fraudulent or illegal activity is suspected cessation will be immediate.
6.1 Funding will only be considered for work that will be undertaken in Torbay and will be wholly or significantly for the direct benefit of Torbay residents living outside of Torquay and within areas of deprivation.
6.2 Awards cannot be used for retrospective funding; that is to replace money that has already been spent, or to cover items or services that have already been bought.
6.3 Any funding award must only be spent for the approved purpose i.e. applicants must be able to demonstrate that the funding has been spent on the specific purpose outlined in the funding application form and detailed in the final funding offer letter by providing receipts/evidence.
6.4 Torbay Council does not fund applications for structural purchases.
6.5 Awards cannot be used for funding day-to-day operational costs.
7.1 The Council acknowledges that the creativity and innovation of the VCS sector can carry risks for non-delivery, for example where a new idea does not work out as intended.
7.2 The Council uses the general principle of requiring a lower level of risk the higher the amount of funding provided. Maximum levels of funding will only be provided where the risk of non-delivery is very low.
7.3 In order to achieve an appropriate balance between managing risk and supporting innovative ideas or new organisations, any agreed funding may be subject to payment plan linked to agreed milestones.
7.4 Funding awards to VCS groups will be looked on more favourably where applications can demonstrate:
9.1 Applicants must complete a standard application form and provide the supporting documents.
9.2 The Council will let you know if you have been successful within 6 weeks of the application deadline – so please take this into consideration when planning your project – payments will be made directly into your BACS account no later than 12 weeks from the date of consideration by the Panel or in accordance with any agreed payment plan.
9.3 All funding applications will be assessed by a panel comprising of the Council’s Chief Executive and the Director of Finance, their recommendations for funding awards will be presented to Cabinet for their decision.
9.4 Appeals against the process used to award funding will be dealt with using Torbay Council’s complaints procedure. There is no right of appeal as to the decision outcome itself.
10.1 If this grant is not suitable for groups looking for funding, it may be beneficial to review the Torbay Council Community Fund administered via Torbay Communities, which provides smaller organisations grants up to £400.
Whilst this is significantly smaller in terms of value, it does have fewer requirements and may suitable for smaller groups or individuals with less infrastructure etc.
The criteria for the fund are narrower than those covered in this policy, and are listed here for reference:
The link to the Community Fund is here: Torbay Council Community Fund