Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
Bell Repair Fund

Grant Application Guidance Notes

Before making an application, we advise that you take time to read the form and its notes fully, taking care to ensure that your project meets the criteria.

These notes tell you things you need to know in relation to the overall scheme.  You will find useful notes throughout the form, which are designed to help you in your answers.   The application will not be taken forward to a BRF Committee Meeting without all the required information; incomplete applications will be put on hold until all information has been received.

Once received, your application will be considered at the next appropriate BRF Committee meeting. The Fund Administrator will keep you informed about your application’s progress, and when it is likely to be considered by the BRF Committee.  For further information, please see our Step by Step guide. Please inform the BRF Administrator if your PCC contact's details change during the course of the project.

ELIGIBILITY

The LDGCB BRF is aimed at providing financial assistance to Churches in the Diocese of Lincoln for the purpose of maintaining and improving their bell installations by making grants to them.  Funds can be awarded for projects that fulfil the criteria of the Bell Repair Fund and all projects must fit within one of the categories listed below.

The maintenance and improvement of a bell installation shall be deemed to include the following:

a)	Taking out an existing ring of bells, supplying and installing a new frame and fittings, recasting the bells and erecting the same.

b)	Taking out, overhauling and re-clappering existing bells, supplying a new frame and fittings and re-erecting the bells.

c)	Taking out existing bells, overhauling the existing frame and fittings, re-casting or overhauling and re-clappering the bells and re-erecting them.

d)	Bringing existing bells, frames and fittings into an adequate state of repair and augmentation up to a maximum of a ring of 6.

e)	Other repairs to bells, frames and fittings.

f)	The provision of sound control materials.

g)	The transfer of bells from one tower to another and the work entailed.

h)	Any other work which the Trustees deem to comply with the objectives of the fund including augmentation of above 6 bells.

The following list is not exhaustive but contains important details about what we do not fund.  We strongly advise that you check that your project meets our criteria and is eligible for funding before you send in your application.  Our criteria can also be found on our website www.ldgcb.org.uk

The Bell Repair Fund does not fund:
•	Replacing belfry floors
•	Labour costs in respect of installing sound control materials
•	Painting of bell-frames, other than a contribution towards the cost of materials.
•	Ropes
•	VAT, as this can usually be recovered by applying to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. (See www.lpwscheme.org.uk/)

Faculty Jurisdiction

New guidelines effective from 1 Jan 2016 detail the permission needed for three different groups of work which are itemised in List A, List B, and Other Works. Full details of these lists may be found on our website www.ldgcb.org.uk . Appropriate permission is required prior to a grant being considered.
List A Works:  Permission of PCC and a Survey by a Grants Committee member or nominee to obtain guidance, independent of the contractors involved.
List B Works: Permission of PCC and Archdeacon which will include a consultation with the Bell Advisor to the DAC. 
Other Works: Full Faculty Permission which will include a consultation with the Bell Advisor to the DAC. 

Please complete this form clearly and legibly, electronically or with black ink.  The form must be completed in full or it may be returned to you.  If you apply for costs for any of the above exclusions, your application form may be amended or returned to you.
	
If you need assistance in completing this form, require a copy in another format, or would simply like to discuss your proposal, please contact the BRF Administrator, Stephen Clarke, on 01427 717430.

Branch Bell Repair Funds

Some Branches of the Lincoln Guild have their own Bell Repair Funds. The same criteria may not apply, but you might be able to use a signed copy of your completed form to apply for a grant from your local Branch of the Guild.

Grants Process – Step by Step Guide

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A Final Grant Payment Letter and cheque for the agreed amount will be sent by the BRF Administrator to the applicant.

The decision of the BRF Committee will then be conveyed by the BRF Administrator to the applicant, enclosing a Grant Claim Form. The Branch Secretary will also be informed if not present at the meeting.

Once the project has been completed the applicant should contact the BRF Administrator to arrange an inspection. Someone from the relevant Branch of the Guild will inspect the work undertaken, complete a Statement of Satisfaction and return it to the BRF Administrator.

The applicant may then submit a completed Grant Claim Form, with receipted invoice(s), to the BRF Administrator for payment which will be based on the invoiced cost if that is lower than the original grant offer. 

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A completed Application Form, with supporting documentation, should be sent by the applicant via the relevant Branch Secretary to the BRF Administrator, who will acknowledge receipt and inform the BRF grants committee members. 

An initial eligibility assessment will be carried out by the BRF Administrator. If the application is not eligible in accordance with the BRF Rules, a letter will be sent to the applicant, copied to the Branch Secretary, advising that the application does not meet the criteria of the BRF.

If the application falls within the Rules of the BRF, the BRF Administrator may  still request further information.  When all requested information is received and the application is ready to be assessed, the BRF Administrator will email the Branch Secretary advising when the application will be assessed by the BRF Committee.

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A full assessment will be carried out by the BRF Committee and the decision recorded in the meeting minutes.

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A copy of the application and supporting information will be emailed by the BRF Administrator to the BRF Committee for consideration prior to the next Committee Meeting.

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Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers
Bell Repair Fund

Grant Application Form

SECTION 1 – TELL US ABOUT THE APPLICANT	
1.1		Name of applicant		This form must be completed by the PCC Secretary	
1.2		Position			
1.3		Postal address 

Postcode:	

	If any contact details change, let us know as soon as possible.   We use email where possible.	
1.4		Telephone			
1.5		Email			

SECTION 2 – TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHURCH	
2.1	Church and Dedication			
2.2	Which Branch of the LDGCBR does the church fall within?	

SECTION 3 – TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT	
3.1	Title of your project (ten words maximum)	
		
3.2	Please provide a detailed project description (500 words maximum). Please attach a copy of the quotations. If these contains various alternative schemes, please clearly indicate which scheme you have chosen.	

	
3.3	Faculty Jurisdiction
See notes above
Please indicate which List of Works covers your project and attach copy of appropriate Permission document.		

	

List A - copy of PCC resolution required 
List B - copy of Archdeacon's certificate required
Other Works - copy of Faculty required     
or Not Known

Documents attached:  Yes/No 		
				
3.4	Proposed start date of project		These dates may be approximate.		
3.5	How long will the project take to complete?		These dates may be approximate		

SECTION 4 – FUNDING FOR YOUR PROJECT	
4.1	Total cost of project		Please provide copy of quotations and indicate your chosen contractor.  State clearly whether figures include or exclude VAT	
4.2	Please provide a detailed breakdown of all expenditure for the project	
	Item	Cost (£)	Please itemise materials and labour separately as some items may not be eligible for grant funding.	

	

4.3	Please provide a breakdown of any work to be done voluntarily for this project	

		
4.4	Please detail any income you expect to receive from the sale of assets in respect of this project	
	Asset to be sold	Expected net sale proceeds	These figures may be approximate if exact figures are not yet known.	
				
SECTION 5 - DECLARATION	
Please do not forget to sign this form. 	
	
On behalf of ________________________________________________
I apply for a grant in respect of expenditure on the project detailed above.
I declare that the information in this application is true.

Signed:                                 ___________________________   

Name (print):	                        ___________________________
Date:	                  ___________________________

When you have completed the application, please send a copy of the completed application form, along with your supporting documentation, to your LDGCBR Branch Secretary – details of which can be found on the Guild website www.ldgcb.org.uk or in the latest Guild Report.

There are no deadlines.  Once your application has been received, the BRF Administrator will acknowledge receipt and liaise with the your Branch Secretary.  Applications to the LDGCBR BRF are assessed by the BRF Grants Committee and considered at the next available meeting.

We try to ensure that funding is allocated as fairly as possible and reserve the right not to fund a project.  If your project is not supported we will provide you with feedback.  However, the funding decision is final.

FOR LDGCBR USE ONLY	
Project Ref No:		
To be assessed at BRF Committee meeting on:		
Decision:		
Conditions:		
Inspector assigned to Project:		
Offer of Grant Letter sent: