Changes to WREN's Funding Policy
The level of demand for WREN funding during 2008 has been unprecedented and there are signs that this demand has yet to peak, particularly since other funding streams are reducing. This has resulted in an increase in the number of applications received by WREN, and also the highest level of declines. Despite this in 2008 WREN recorded its highest level of grants awarded.
In order to safeguard a high level of service and ensure that funding continues to be available to those communities that this scheme was designed to support, a series of measures are planned by WREN and will be effective from the 19th March, 2009 (the day after the closing date for the next round of applications).
The WREN funding policy has been updated with changes that prevent WREN from accepting any further applications of the following nature:
- Projects located at single sports facilities
- Projects located within schools or on school grounds
- Community cafes
- Community Art and/or sculpture
- Litter bins, dog bins and lampposts
- Scout halls and other uniformed HQs where there is no evidence of wider community use
- Projects located at Local Authority owned and/or managed leisure centres and swimming pools
- Theatres and/or cinemas
Also from the 19th March, 2009 WREN will now only accept applications from within 10 miles of active WRG landfill sites. As a consequence projects in the vicinity of the following landfill areas will no longer be able to apply for WREN funding:
- Bedfordshire – Brogborough, Arlesey
- Cambridgeshire – Grunty Fen
- Derbyshire – all sites now closed
- Humber – Catwick and Humberfield
- Lincolnshire – Whisby and Kenwick
- Nottinghamshire - Barnstone, Sutton and Eastcroft
- Wrexham – Astbury (Rossett)
- Yorkshire – Thurcroft, Darrington, Rotherham, Scabba Wood and Barnsley transfer station
WREN has also introduced revised application forms for the Main Grant Scheme (applications for £15,001 to £50,000 of WREN funding) and the Small Grant Scheme (applications for £2,000 to £15,000). It is essential that applications after 19th March, 2009 use the correct application form (see Apply) to prevent applications being returned unprocessed.