Frequently Asked Questions

Somerset Community Foundation is administering the Hinkley Point C Community Fund and will work with you to help you apply to the correct fund for your project, initiative or scheme.

 

What is Hinkley Point C?

 

EDF Energy is building two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, which are the first in a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK. Hinkley Point C is one of Europe’s largest construction projects with a peak workforce expected to exceed 5,000 people.

The Hinkley Point C site is located on the north- western Somerset coast, next to a fully operational nuclear power station called Hinkley Point B and Hinkley Point A, which is being decommissioned

What is Hinkley Point C Funding there for?

The construction of the new power station at Hinkley Point C and its associated projects (such as highway improvements, park and ride schemes, worker accommodation campuses, etc.) are likely to lead to some changes in our communities. These impacts may be direct or indirect, positive or negative.

Funds are available to help communities remove or reduce the negative impacts experienced as a result of the Hinkley Point C construction and help to ensure that the benefits and opportunities can be accessed.

Your project, measure or initiative may be designed to remove or reduce the impact or it could be designed to ‘off-set’ impacts by improving other aspects of community well-being and quality of life.

The funds are also there to maximise the opportunities provided by the development. You must be able to clearly evidence the impact(s) Hinkley Point C has had, or is having, on your community.

How do I know which grants programme to apply to?

If you are unsure about which programme to apply to after browsing this website, please call us on 01749 344 949 to discuss your proposal and we can guide you to the appropriate scheme.

If we feel that you have accidentally applied to an inappropriate fund, we will work with you to make sure your proposal is directed to the correct fund without you having to start the process all over again.

If you have looked at the criteria and are still not sure, please feel free to contact us to talk through your project, measure or initiative.

Why is there a separate application process for small grants?

We recognise the significant role that smaller organisations play in their communities and how this can help mitigate the impacts of Hinkley Point C.

We aim to keep the application processes proportional to the size of organisation and proposal, and therefore a separate, simpler process for smaller organisations has been made available

What are 'Strategic Grants'?

The strategic grants programme identifies wider ranging impacts that are affecting communities as a result of Hinkley Point C and seeks to develop a coordinated approach to mitigate them through publishing calls for bids with specific criteria.

We are not a small organisation. Can we apply?

Yes! We recognise the importance of larger community-led projects in areas most affected by Hinkley Point C. The Open Grants Programme is open all year for applications. Closing dates will be published on the portal.

Can I apply to more than one programme at the same time?

No, not for the same project. We aim to help you identify the right Hinkley Point C programme for your project.

What happens if I accidentally apply to the wrong programme?

If we feel that your project would be better suited to a different programme, we will inform you. In most cases we will pick this up at the initial stages of your application and this should not involve any significant additional work for you.

We are not a charity, voluntary group, social enterprise or any other form of community organisation. Can we still apply?

To apply to the Hinkley Point C Community Fund we ask that you are able to demonstrate a charitable purpose.

Please contact Amelia Thompson for further clarification.

If you’d like to book a 30 minute introductory meeting with one of the team members, please click here.

Who sits on the Awards Panels?

The Awards Panel of the Hinkley Point C Community Fund is comprised of the following members:

Cllr Sarah Wakefield (Somerset Council)

Cllr Gill Slocombe (Somerset Council)

Cllr Fran Smith (Somerset Council)

Andrew Cockcroft (Senior Manager – Community Relations, HPC Project)

Sarah Taylor (HRBP Manager, HPC Project)

Nick Wall (Construction Project Controls Manager, HPC Project)

Linda Bennett (Independent Member)

Claire Mahoney (Independent)

Kate Kravis (Independent)

Chris Bishop (Somerset Community Foundation)

Helen Gulvin (Somerset Community Foundation)

John Lyon (Somerset Community Foundation) (Chair)