Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme

This guidance explains the Community Asset Support Scheme (CASS) Grants 2026/27 programme and how eligible organisations can apply for grant funding to improve community assets within Reigate & Banstead.

This guidance sets out the timelines and clarification points for organisations who wish to apply for assets and/or grant support through the Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme.

Summary

• Grants are offered in line with the Community Asset Support Scheme (CASS) published in November 2025 to support improvements to community assets within Reigate & Banstead.
• Grants of between £3,000 and £20,000 are available.
• The total funding available is up to £200,000.
• It is expected that up to 25 grants will be awarded.
• The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 2 November 2026.
• Decisions will be made by an Assessment Panel in early December 2026 with funding agreements completed in January 2027..
• Grants must be spent in full by 31 March 2027.

Briefing sessions

Briefing sessions will explain the programme and provide an opportunity to ask questions.

• Thursday 8 October, 10.00am – 11.00am, Microsoft Teams
• Wednesday 14 October 3.00pm – 4.00pm, Microsoft Teams

To book a place and receive a joining link, email: communitypartnerships@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Purpose and scope

Following the successful Community Asset Transfer and Support Scheme launched in 2025, this further round of funding seeks to provide small grants to voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations in Reigate & Banstead to improve community buildings that they own or lease for 10 years or more.

The fund aims to:

• increase the capacity of organisations to deliver services and activities
• improve accessibility and sustainability
• increase community benefits for residents of Reigate & Banstead

Grants will be awarded in line with the Community Asset Support Scheme (CASS) published in November 2025.

The CASS states:

"The Council may run grant schemes for differing amounts of money. Please always review the guidance on the Council's website to confirm what values of grants are available through a given programme."

This guidance has therefore been issued in accordance with the CASS. In the case of any query, this guidance takes precedence.

This funding round recognises that some organisations may not be in a position to undertake large-scale improvements, but that smaller and more targeted improvements can deliver significant community benefit and create a long-term difference to community facilities and the people who use them.

What will be funded 

Grant funding is available for physical improvements to community assets.

Examples could include:

• accessibility improvements such as ramps, hearing loops or accessible toilets
• energy-efficiency measures
• improvements to outdoor community spaces
• fixed sound or audio equipment where this improves access to community activities

The project or item must be clearly connected to the improvement, safety, accessibility or community use of a community asset.

The community asset must be within Reigate & Banstead.

What will not be funded 

The following are not eligible:

• revenue costs
• staffing costs
• day-to-day running costs
• general equipment not linked to community asset improvement
• general maintenance costs
• retrospective costs
• existing debts
• general reserves
• projects that have already been completed

Eligibility 

In line with the Community Asset Support Scheme, organisations applying for grants must be:

• Registered Charities (Charitable Company, Charitable Incorporated Organisation or Charitable Trust)
• Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee where profits are reinvested into the company and/or for community benefit
• Town and Parish Councils within Reigate & Banstead
• Other formally constituted non-profit-making clubs or groups

Eligible groups must demonstrate that:

• they will use the asset being improved through the grant to provide community benefit for residents of Reigate & Banstead

 The following are not eligible

• individuals
• companies that exist to trade for profit
• political organisations
• organisations registered outside the UK
• public sector bodies other than Town and Parish Councils within the Borough

Ownership and lease requirements

The CASS states:

"Where the grant is to be used to improve an existing community asset the asset to which the grant will be applied must be owned (freehold) or there should be a lease in place of at least 10 years."

For this round of grants, the Council recognises that some long-standing tenants may currently be extending or renewing leases.

Where this applies, the Council may seek a letter of intent from the landlord confirming that a lease of more than 10 years is intended and will consider this as part of the eligibility assessment.

Previous applicants

Eligible organisations that applied for assets or grants through the first round of the Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme but were unsuccessful may apply to this round.

Organisations that received an asset-improvement grant through the first round are not invited to apply. However, should grant awards made by the Assessment Panel be lower than the available funding (£200,000), the Council reserves the right to approach those organisations and seek further proposals.

Because this grant programme operates as a one-stage process, eligibility must be evidenced in full through the application process.

Application and Assessment process 

The CASS states:

"Any grants under the value of £75,000 will only be required to complete a stage one expression of interest (noting that quotes and organisational documentation will be required to support the award of the grant)."

As the maximum grant available through this programme is £20,000, applications will be assessed through a single-stage Expression of Interest process.

Expression of interest 

Applicants must submit a written expression of interest setting out the proposed project.

If applying for a grant to improve an existing asset, applicants must confirm ownership of the asset.

The land or property must be owned by:

• your organisation
• a project partner
• a local authority
• a Town or Parish Council

Expression of interest webpage

Assessment criteria 

 Project impact (45%)

Applicants will be asked:

• What will your community asset improvement project deliver?
• How will this make a difference to your community?
• How does the project link to the objectives in the Reigate & Banstead 2030 Plan?
• What environmental features might your project incorporate?
• What Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be used to measure the success and impact of your project?

 Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

• Applicants will be asked to propose up to five KPIs.
• KPIs should be relevant, measurable and capable of being reported on.
• Applicants are encouraged to include a combination of:

• Quantitative KPIs, such as increased facility use, increased participation, reduced energy costs or increased community activities.
• Qualitative KPIs, such as user feedback, improved accessibility, increased satisfaction or reduced barriers to participation.

Organisational capacity (30%)

Applicants will be asked to:

• outline their governance arrangements, management structure, experience and skills
• describe their track record or plans for delivering projects and service improvements

Feasibility and delivery (25%)

Applicants will be asked to:

• confirm ownership or lease arrangements
• confirm anticipated start date and duration
• explain any feasibility work undertaken
• explain project costs and funding arrangements
• identify permissions, licences and insurance requirements

Assessment of this section will take account of:

• clarity of the proposal
• value for money
• appropriateness of costs
• supporting quotations and evidence

Quotes and supporting information 

Applicants should provide quotations for proposed works, goods or services.

• For costs below £9,999, at least one written quote is required.
• For costs between £10,000 and £99,999, at least three written quotes are required.

The Council reserves the right to request additional quotations where required.

Applicants will be asked to declare any connection between their organisation and suppliers providing quotations.

Applicants must also provide information relating to:

• ownership or lease arrangements
• permissions
• licences
• landlord approvals
• project costs
• funding contributions from other sources

Supporting documents 

Applicants should provide supporting documents appropriate to the grant request and organisation.

This may include:

• constitution, governing document, trust deed or memorandum and articles
• two years of accounts or financial statements
• ownership or lease evidence
• permissions, licences or landlord approvals
• safeguarding policy or statement
• equality policy or statement
• health and safety policy or statement
• environmental sustainability statement or policy

Where organisations are contributing funding from other sources, those funds must be in place and evidenced.

Applicants will also be asked to accept the relevant Grant Funding Agreement published on the Council's website.

The Council may request further information during assessment where needed to confirm eligibility, value for money or deliverability.

Review and decision 

The Council will review Expressions of Interest and consider:

• whether the organisation meets the eligibility requirements
• assessment against the published criteria
• comments from relevant ward councillors
• affordability

Recommendations will be considered by an Assessment Panel made up of officers from the Council's Strategic Property Officer Group and relevant Executive Members.

Property, technical or other specialist advice may be sought during assessment.

Any grant award may also be subject to subsidy control review where required.

The Council reserves the right to:

• decline applications
• award less than the amount requested
• place applications on a reserve list
• prioritise projects

The Assessment Panel may consider:

• assessment score
• community need
• geographical spread across the Borough
• deliverability
• value for money
• overall balance of supported projects

Applicants will receive a written response.

Any successful award remains subject to due diligence, subsidy control requirements, supporting documentation and entry into a Grant Funding Agreement.

Anticipated timeline 

• 2 November 2026 – Deadline for Expressions of Interest
• November 2026 – Officer assessment
• Early December 2026 – Assessment Panel
• Early January 2027 – Grant agreements completed
• 31 March 2027 – Projects completed and funds spent
• 30 June 2027 – Impact reports received

Downloads

• Community Asset Support Scheme Grants 2026/27 Guidance (PDF)
• Grant Funding Agreement Template (PDF)
• Community Asset Support Scheme (CASS)