URL: https://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=13004

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Cabinet has approved the following recommendations:   Significant considerations Grant categories a.     Retain the existing number of themes but amend the wording of the categories to ‘carbon emission reduction or locking up carbon’ and ‘community engagement on climate change and/or nature’. Grant funding limits a.    To increase maximum grant limits in line with inflation from £15,000 to £19,500 but put more of an emphasis on match funding in communications. b.   Move from a 70:30 to a 50:50 split between carbon reduction projects and community engagement/nature projects. Eligibility criteria a.   Define the criteria for community groups better to allow for a clearer distinction between who is and is not eligible including: i. Clarity that projects on school sites/Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) (excluding school buildings) are eligible so long as the activity has a benefit in the wider community. ii.  Clarity that sports groups (e.g. bowls clubs) are eligible if they provide benefits to the wider community such as tackling mental health or strengthening community ties. b.     Amend and strengthen the eligibility checks (i.e. Disclosure Barring Service (DBS), unspent convictions, planning secured or demonstrably in progress ahead of submission). c.  Remove criteria that excludes applicants from applying for EV charging infrastructure. Minor considerations Grant timing a.    Formally introduce a “1-year post-completion update” requirement to report on agreed project outcomes to capture longer term impact and outcomes (especially relevant to biodiversity/nature projects). Grant scoring a.     Add a scoring criterion to encourage projects which align well with the aims of the Climate and Nature Strategy. b.    For projects which relate to nature, reference to alignment with the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is recommended and considered within application scoring. c.     Provide support in the guidance document around requesting area-based metrics (land area improved) for nature-related projects. d.    Provide clarity in criteria that projects delivering statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) remain ineligible.

Date of Decision: March 24, 2026