Levens Community Project - Winter 2023 update

A note on finances

Financing the project has always been a key priority in the minds of those tasked with delivering it, and so far it has been extraordinarily successful in generating the funds necessary to realise its objectives.

The aim has always been, and remains, that it shall be cost neutral as far as the parish council is concerned - and yet the parish council has been a major source of funds for the project. This has been made possible by the sale of parcels of parish land where, through innovative thinking, the value of those parcels has been significantly uplifted by securing planning permission on them.

Of seven plots (including Sizergh Fell Quarry) originally forming part of the overall project, five have been sold and one is under offer, leaving just one to sell in due course. This demonstration of raising resources from within the project is a vitally important component in securing a second channel of money through external grants. Through this strand, funders look to ensure not only that the scheme meets relevant criteria, but also that the applicant has shown commitment to raise funds for itself (match-funding).

Many external funders have, and continue, to exhibit their confidence in the project by providing financial support and the project is deeply grateful to them. Formal acknowledgement will be made in due course. One of the most recent opportunities for new funding is through the Government’s Community Ownership Fund and the project is delighted that an expression of interest submitted to the Fund recently has been accepted. This will now require considerable work on the part of the project to prepare and update a suite of detailed technical and financial data before an application is submitted.

And herein lies a third strand of resourcing for the project through the intense voluntary effort of those involved in its management. If a value could be put on the time input from this sector, it would certainly match, if not exceed the contributions attributable to own resources or external funding. This is a remarkable example of team working and dedication to achieving an end goal for the benefit of the village.