The Town Council has allocated £2500.00 under Section 137 of the 1972 Local Government Act in its budget. This section allows local councils to incur expenditure which, in their opinion, is in the interests of, and will bring direct benefit to, their area or any part of it or all or some of its inhabitants and for which no other legislation can be applied.

The Town Council will consider applications from voluntary and community groups, sports and social clubs and cultural bodies if the following criteria are met:

1. the organisation must be in the parish of Pickering or membership of the organisation includes Pickering people or benefits Pickering people;

2. submission of latest audited accounts (for established organisations) or appropriate financial information for new ventures; the total cost of the project for which money is being sought, whether grants are being sought elsewhere (and, if so, how much); any fund raising activities on the part of the applicant;

3. provision of a written statement of the purpose and requirement for grant aid.

The applicant may be asked to return the whole or a proportion of the grant to the Town Council if the purpose of the grant fails.

The grant of an award is entirely at the discretion of the Town Council whose decision is final.

The Town Council considers applications at its meetings on the third Monday of each month. Applications should be submitted to the Town Clerk by the Tuesday immediately preceding the third Monday of the month.

For clarification of any of the points listed above, please contact the Town Clerk, Town Council Office, Memorial Hall, Potter Hill, Pickering, YO18 8AA, 01751 476503, townclerk@pickering.gov.uk.