Purpose

Approval for Grant Scheme Design - Stratford-on-Avon District Council Healthy and Sustainable Food For All - Community Food Projects Grant 2026

Decision

To agree the Stratford-on-Avon District Council Healthy and Sustainable Food For All - Community Food Projects Grant 2026 grant scheme design, guidance notes and application process.

Reasons for the decision

Following a Notice of Motion (here) that was approved by the Cabinet on 7 October 2024 a growth bid (see attached) was developed by Cllr Petrovic and Cllr Hatch for the 2026/27 year to fund work to support rural producers and tackle food insecurity in Stratford District. The growth bid was partially successful, and the project was awarded £50,000.

Following detailed discussions with Tony Perks and Ali Chafekar it was agreed that the Communities and Social Inclusion Team would lead on the food insecurity element of the project and work with local stakeholders and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector (VCFSE) to develop a grant scheme for approval.

Several meetings have taken place including a Listening Event attended by 25+ stakeholders and potential VCFSE applicant organisation to shape the grant. 

The work with key members and the Listening Event has enabled the development of a grant offer likely to be both popular and proportionate. Attached to this document is a guidance note & application form for use by potential applicants for the Healthy and Sustainable Food For All - Community Food Projects Grant 2026. The note details the following:

1)   Scheme aims and objectives

2)   Grant types available

·       Small Project Grant

·       Large Project Grant

·       Innovation Grant

3)   Levels of funding available

4)   Timeframes

5)   Monitoring and reporting requirements

6)   Governance

7)   Food hygiene requirements and advice

8)   Application process and application form.

The next stage will be to launch the grant over the next four weeks including launch events in person and on TEAMs and establishment of a micro-site on the district council’s website.

Alternative options considered

A variety of options were considered as part of the scheme design process.  Many of these have been woven into the scheme and some have been discounted, in particular the more grower support element of the original growth bid which is been taken forward by the Economic Development Team.