In certain circumstances limited revenue support of a one-off nature may also be available under this fund to assist in establishing or placing an initiative on a sustainable footing. Such revenue requests would be considered as part of the wider funding application submitted. Priority is likely to be given to applicants at a stage of being ready to proceed within the financial year of funding being granted.

The criteria that all the bids will be assessed against, and guidance for applicants can be found in the Community Improvements Fund - Criteria and Guidance form below. Please note that the criteria has changed for the 2013/14 year.

The process for applying for the funding

Proposals for funding for local projects should be submitted to the local Surrey County Councillor (after 3 May 2013) and/or Community Partnership and Committee Officer in the first instance, either using the application form provided, or the online form attached (clicking through the A-Z of non-highways forms, to forms beginning with "C").

Completed applications for funding will be submitted to the Community Improvement Panel for consideration. The Panel will consider all the bids using the evaluation criteria outlined, and advise the Leader as to which bids to approve. Successful bids will be processed through the Community Partnerships Team, and will be required to provide evidence of spend and the outcomes/impacts of the project.

Timescales

In 2012/13, decisions on the first successful applicants were made in two rounds. The Panel met for the first time on Wednesday 9 May 2012 and its recommendations were considered by the Leader of the Council on 24 May 2012. The second round of bids were considered by a the Panel on 5 November, and the recommendations considered by the Leader of the Council at his decision-making meeting on 28 November 2012. The projects agreed through these two rounds are attached below.

In 2013/14 the Leader and the Cabinet increased the fund to £1 million. Bids for consideration within the first round are being sought from the beginning of the financial year to midday on 28 June 2013. The Leader will then consider the Panel's recommendations on 11 September 2013. Any applications received after the 28 June will be referred to the second round of bids with the closing dates for bids being midday on the 24 October 2013, with the Leader making a decision on successful bids on 4 December 2013.