Guidelines for payments made under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 allows a local authority[*] to spend a limited amount on activities for which it has no specific power, but which the authority considers 'will bring direct benefit to the area, or any part of it or all of some of its inhabitants'. The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 added the requirement that the benefit obtained should be commensurate with the expenditure incurred.

[*] "local authority" means in relation to England, a county council, a district council, a London borough council, the Common Council or a parish council, so Damerham Parish Council is authorised to make such payments.

The parameters which Damerham Parish Council will consider in making such payments are:

• The Parish Council will consider applications for S137 grants only if it believes that such a grant would benefit the Parish, or any part of it, or all of some of its inhabitants.
• Any community / voluntary / charitable organisation may apply to the Parish Council for a Section S137 grant.
• Grants made under S137 will normally be between £50 and £500 to any one organisation in any financial year.
• Any payments made are subject to the normal budgetary constraints of the Parish Council.
• Applications should be made in writing in a form specified by the Parish Council.
• Payments will be made at the absolute discretion of the Parish Council.
• This process will be publicised by the Parish Council to the Damerham community.
• Applications and the decision made by the Parish Council will be recorded in the Parish Council Minutes which are available for public inspection and on this website.

Download an application form, complete it and e-mail to info@damerham-pc.gov.uk or post to The Clerk, Damerham Parish Council, Greenbank Farm House, Damerham, Hants SP6 3HE

Section 137 Application Form