Parish and Hinckley community initiative fund

Note that these were the criteria for 2026/27. There may be changes for the next grant scheme.

Schemes must score 50 or more to be eligible for funding.

Type of scheme - select 1:

• Climate change, carbon reduction, conservation and biodiversity projects. Score 20 
• Play are improvements and community building projects. Score 15
• Sports and fitness projects, footpaths/trails and historic features. Score 10
• Landscaping projects and improvements to places of worship. Score 5
• Other schemes (if they meet the essential criteria but don't fall into any of the above categories). Score 2.5 

Funding 

• Is all the funding in place? Please note, funding from the applicant and other sources must be 50% or over the total cost of the scheme. Score 10 for yes 0 for no 
• Is the applicant doing any of the work themselves in addition to funding and administration work? Score 5 for yes 0 for no 
• Have quotes been received from relevant contractors? Two quotes for schemes up to £20,000 and three for schemes over £20,000. Score 10 for yes and 0 for no 

Value for money and evidence of need

• Are there any similar or existing facilities within the parish or town. Score 5 for no and 0 for yes
• Is the facility/scheme accessible within reasonable hours? Reasonable hours are considered to be from 9am to dusk. Score 2.5 for yes and 0 for no 
• Is the application linked to a village appraisal, village design statement or parish plane. Score 2.5 for yes and 0 for no
• Has a full consultation been carried out? Do the results show support for the project. Score 10 for full consultation, 5 for part consultation and 0 for no 
• Do you consider the scheme offers good value for money? Consider the number of people the applicant has said the scheme will benefit against the cost of the scheme. Score 5 for excellent, 2.5 for good and 0 for poor 

Design, maintenance and equality 

• Is the scheme designed in accordance with correct guidelines? Building regulations, British/European standards, Rospa, sustainability, Disability Discrimination Act, for example. Score 5 for yes and score 0 for no 
• Does the applicant have the resources to maintain the scheme for 10 years? Check applicants accounts. Score 5 for yes and 0 for no 
• Does the applicant have an adequate maintenance plan so that the scheme will still be viable in 10 years. Score 5 for yes and 0 for no 
• Does the scheme consider the needs of the whole community, does the scheme comply with the Equalities Act 2010? Consider all age groups, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities. Score 5 for yes and 0 for no 

Support

• PCIF fund - Does the scheme have the support of the ward councillor and parish council. Score 5 for ward councillor and score 5 for parish council (total 10) 0 for no
• HCIF fund - Does the scheme have support of the ward councillor. Score 10 for yes and 0 for no 

Last updated: 04/02/2026 17:05