Minchinhampton Parish Council

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £17,400 (2024/25 grant allocation)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed annually in autumn
• Grant Range: Not specified (discretionary amounts)
• Geographic Focus: Minchinhampton Parish, Gloucestershire

Contact Details

Parish Clerk: Claire Whitehead

Address: The Trap House, West End, Minchinhampton, Stroud, GL6 9JA

Phone: 01453 731186

Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk

Website: www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30am–4pm

Overview

Minchinhampton Parish Council is a local government authority in Gloucestershire that provides discretionary grant funding to charitable and not-for-profit organizations operating within the parish. The council, which consists of 15 elected members, allocates £17,400 annually for community grants as part of its overall budget of £435,457 (2024/25). The council awards grants for specific purposes that will benefit Minchinhampton or its residents, with applications invited each autumn. The council operates through several committees including Planning, Finance, and Personnel, meeting monthly at venues in Minchinhampton. The council also previously administered the A.E. Pash Trust Fund legacy, which ceased operations in 2021 when remaining funds were distributed to local healthcare and community charities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Programme

• Annual allocation of £17,400 (2024/25)
• Discretionary payments to charitable or not-for-profit parish organisations
• Grants must be used for specific purposes that benefit Minchinhampton or its residents
• Applications invited each autumn
• Application via written form available from the parish office

Priority Areas

• Community organizations operating within Minchinhampton parish
• Projects and activities that provide direct benefit to Minchinhampton residents
• Charitable purposes within the parish boundary
• Organizations not directly controlled or administered by the council

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations directly controlled or administered by the Parish Council
• Projects outside the Minchinhampton parish boundary
• For-profit organizations

Historical Context: A.E. Pash Trust Fund (Now Closed)

The council previously administered the Albert Edward Pash Charitable Trust Fund (Charity No. 278558), which was established from the estate of Albert Edward Pash following his death in 1973. This legacy fund distributed interest annually (typically in April) with 25% allocated to hospital research and up to 75% available for charitable purposes within the parish. The trust ceased operations in August 2021, with final funds distributed to Gloucestershire healthcare charities and local organizations including Minchinhampton Market House CIO and Minchinhampton Surgery Charitable Trust.

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Governance and Leadership

Council Chair

Cllr. Nick Hurst (South Ward)

Chair of the Parish Council, also serves on Finance, Personnel, and Complaints Committees

Key Committee Chairs

• Planning Committee Chair: Cllr. Charlie Morriss (Brimscombe Ward) - Former army engineer, councillor since 2000
• Finance Committee Chair: Cllr. Alastair Mylechreest (Brimscombe Ward) - Chartered surveyor
• Personnel Committee Chair: Cllr. Mike Allen (North Ward) - Retired headteacher

Other Notable Councillors

• Cllr. Gill Thomas (South Ward) - Professional photographer, also serves as Stroud District Councillor
• Cllr. Stan Waddington (North Ward) - Long-serving councillor on Personnel Committee
• Cllr. Richard Herbert (Amberley Ward) - Global marketing consultant, serves on Finance and Planning Committees
• Cllr. Pippa Schwartz (South Ward) - Councillor since 2012, serves on Planning, Personnel, and Complaints Committees

The council currently has 12 elected councillors with 3 vacancies in Brimscombe, North, and South Wards. Elections take place every 4 years.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted using the official Grant Application Form (updated July 2024), available as a Word document from the parish office. Applications must be made in writing to:

The Clerk

The Trap House, West End

Minchinhampton, Stroud, GL6 9JA

Or via email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk

Application Documents Required

• Completed Grant Application Form (July 2024 version)
• Review of the Grant Awarding Policy (July 2024, 133 KB PDF) recommended before applying

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: Autumn (specific dates not published)
• Review Process: Applications reviewed by Full Council
• Council Meetings: Monthly on Monday evenings at 7:00pm, typically at The Baptist Hall, Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton
• Decision Timeframe: Applications reviewed annually during autumn period
• Notification: Not specified

Success Rates

Success rates and specific application numbers are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Interested applicants should contact the parish office for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Key Considerations

Geographic Focus: The council prioritizes organizations and projects that directly benefit residents of Minchinhampton parish. Demonstrating clear parish-level impact is essential.

Independence from Council: Organizations must not be directly controlled or administered by the Parish Council itself. Independent charitable and not-for-profit groups are eligible.

Specific Purpose: Grants are awarded for specific purposes rather than general operating costs. Applications should clearly articulate what the funding will achieve and how it benefits the community.

Charitable Status: Organizations should be charitable or not-for-profit in nature. For-profit entities are not eligible.

Strategic Approach

The council operates on an annual grant cycle with a fixed budget allocation, suggesting that applications are considered competitively. With £17,400 available annually from a total budget of £435,457, the grants program represents approximately 4% of the council's expenditure.

Application Preparation

• Review the Grant Awarding Policy thoroughly before applying
• Contact the parish office during office hours (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30am-4pm) with questions
• Ensure your organization operates within or primarily serves Minchinhampton parish
• Clearly define the specific purpose for which funding is requested
• Demonstrate direct benefit to Minchinhampton residents

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is crucial: Applications are only invited in autumn each year - miss this window and you'll wait another year
• Local focus is paramount: The council strictly prioritizes projects benefiting Minchinhampton parish and its residents
• Limited annual budget: With £17,400 available annually, competition for funds may be significant
• Specific purposes only: General operating grants are not the focus; articulate a specific project or purpose
• Establish contact early: The parish office (open limited hours) can provide guidance - contact them before applying
• Independence matters: Ensure your organization is genuinely independent from the Parish Council itself
• Understand the council structure: Decisions are made by elected councillors with diverse professional backgrounds including finance, education, and community leadership

References

1. Minchinhampton Parish Council - Community Grants page. https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk/community-grants

1. Minchinhampton Parish Council - Grants Policy page. https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk/grants1

1. Minchinhampton Parish Council - Official Website. https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk/

1. Minchinhampton Parish Council - Councillors page. https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk/councillors

1. Stroud District Council - Minchinhampton Parish Council Budget Information. https://www.stroud.gov.uk/media/cbflaoe2/minchinhampton-parish-council.pdf (Referenced January 2025)

1. The Charity Commission - Albert Edward Pash Charitable Trust Fund (Charity No. 278558). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/278558/full-print

1. Turn2Us Grants Search - Albert Edward Pash Charitable Trust Fund. https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/albert-edward-pash-charitable-trust-fund-12431

1. Stroud District Council - Modern Gov Parish Council Details. https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx?ID=197&LS=3