The Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) is a scheme through which Landfill Operators are able to redirect a small proportion of their landfill tax liability to support a wide range of community and environmental projects which are near to licensed landfill sites.
LCF funding is for capital expenditure only and is generally intended for improvements to amenities that are available for leisure and recreation used by the general public (this might be community buildings, sports facilities or heritage projects) or for conservation of wildlife species and natural habitats.
LCF funds can only be distributed to organisations which are enrolled with ENTRUST (the regulator for the scheme) as Environmental Bodies (EBs). This works in two ways:
(1) Several landfill operators have their own grant schemes to distribute funding to local projects: they have a separate trust which is registered as an EB so that it can receive the funds, and the trust then administers a grant scheme for community groups and not-for-profit organisations. (See schemes in Devon listed below)
(2) Community groups can make a direct approach to other landfill operators to see if they would be prepared to provide funding – in this instance the group would need to register as an EB.
There are several requirements and regulations relating to the scheme: projects must be within 10 miles of a registered landfill site; and each grant needs to be made up of 90% landfill tax credits and 10% from the landfill operator’s own funds, or from a 3rd party contributor.
Further details are available from Entrust about how the Landfill Communities Fund works or from the individual grant schemes which currently provide funding for projects in Devon. Please note that you will need to use the Postcode Checker on the website for each of these schemes to see if a project in your area would be eligible for funding. You will also need to contact Entrust to make sure that your project is within 10 miles of a Registered Landfill Site.
Biffa-award – offers grants of £10,000 to £75,000 through the Main Grants Scheme. Direct applications can be made under four themes: rebuilding biodiversity; community buildings; recreation; and cultural facilities. There are qualifying Biffa sites at Plympton, Plymstock, Woodbury Salterton and Newton Abbot.
SUEZ Communities Fund – provides grants up to £50,000 to not-for-profit organisations wishing to make improvements to facilities that benefit the general public. This includes village halls, community centres, cycle paths, playgrounds, sports facilities and historic buildings. Projects need to be within 2.5 miles of a qualifying Suez site: these include Woodbury Salterton, Brynsworthy (Barnstaple) and Copplestone.
Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund – local groups can apply for funding for a wide range of community and environmental projects within 7 miles of a Tarmac waste, cement and lime or quarrying site (Headon gravel quarry near Ivybridge; or Exeter Asphalt Plant) provided they are also within 10 miles of any licensed landfill site.
Valencia Communities Fund – funding up to £100,000 for community, heritage and biodiversity projects. There are registered Valencia sites at Heathfield, Kingsteignton and Dartington.
Focus of fund/fund aims:
An overview of the Landfill Communities Fund and links to schemes that have qualifying locations in Devon
Application deadline:
Refer to individual websites for deadlines