Ulster-Scots Agency

Financial Assistance Scheme Guidance

Music and Dance Tuition

Closing Date:

29thOctober 2010 @ 12 noon

IMPORTANT NOTICE

We DO NOT fund band practice.These grants are for Music and Dance Tuition programmes only.

The word ‘band’ or ‘members’ should not appear on any application forms other than in the name of the organisation.

APPLICATION FORMS

Completed and correct application forms must be submitted by 12 noon, Friday29th October 2010

It is suggested you submit completed applications well in advance of the closing date so that any queries can be ironed out and rectified. Should any application form need any corrections after 29thOctober 2010, it is possible it may be returned and will not be considered for tuition in2011.

All groups applying must have:

a)A constitution (signed and dated by the Chairperson)

b)A Bank Account statement in the groups name (dated within the last two months)

c)A Child Protection policy signed and dated. The policy must include the names and telephone numbers of 2 designated officers within the group.

d)Statement of accounts to cover previous financial year as per constitution.

e)If required, a letter to cover usage of monies in existing accounts (If in excess of £1,000 stg)

Any application without all of the required information will not be successful.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • The Agency will fund a maximum of 2 music tutors from different musical sections, i.e. wind, string, percussion etc. Groups involved in Highland or Scottish Country Dance can only engage 1 tutor.
  • The Ulster-Scots Agency will make an award of up to £20 per hour to tutors who are qualified or can demonstrate aminimum of 3 years teaching experience and £15 to anyone with less experience.
  • Tutors can be members of the group applying for funding however they must not manage the project or hold the position of treasurer or vice treasurer.
  • Letters of Offer for funding must be accepted and signed by the Project Manager and Treasurer. If the Project Manager is the Treasurer for the group the acceptance must be signed by a member of the management committee who is not a tutor.
  • The maximum funding for hall rental for tuition is £30 per week. Groups must indicate the suitability of the premises for the activity being undertaken.
  • Groups applying for funding who own their own premises will not be eligible for funding for hall rental.
  • No other costs are eligible for payment.
  • No tuition award under the Financial Assistance Scheme will exceed 75% of the total eligible costs.
  • In 2011, cash receipts will not be eligible for payment. Payment by groups to tutors should be made by cheque. A record of the cheque number should be includedon the invoice and groups must supply copies of bank statements evidencing payment to tutors fees as part of post project evaluation.
  • Applications applied for in euro will be paid in euro.
  • Agreed Rate for € will be set rate for all 2011 tuition using the conversion rate at time of application deadline.
  • Weeks of tuition cancelled during the year can not be rescheduled.
  • The Agency must be informed in writing of any alterations to the tuition. Retrospective notice and alterations that have not been approved will not be eligible for payment.
  • Groups awarded funding will submit claims for payment with all necessary receipts and reports in arrears.
  • The Agency will continue to undertake monitoring visits in 2011 to ensure value for money for tuition projects.

MUSIC TUITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • Maximum number of weeks of tuition eligible for funding will be 20 weeks
  • The maximum length of funding for a tuition session is 2 hours. Please note that tuition can be held over 2 nights if applying for 2 different tutors, however eligible funding for rent is capped at £30 per week.
  • Only tuition occurring between 1st February and 31stOctober 2011 will be eligible for funding.

DANCE TUITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • Maximum number of weeks of tuition eligible for funding will be 30 weeks
  • Travel costs will be an eligible payment – 90% of fully receipted expenditure in respect of air and sea travel and 40p per mile fortravel within NI and/or the ROI.
  • Only tuition occurring between 1stJanuary and 31stOctober 2011 will be eligible for funding.
  • The Agency will only fund 1 dance tutor up to a maximum of 4hours.

CHILD PROTECTION

It is the responsibility of the groups, not the Ulster-Scots Agency to ensure that all tutors employed by groups have received verification for working with vulnerable adults or children (anyone under 18 years of age). Access NI is the government body responsible for verifying individuals. They can be contacted on:

Phone:028 90 259100

E-mail:

Post:Access Northern Ireland

Brooklyn
65 Knock Road

Belfast
BT5 6LE

CONTACTING THE AGENCY

Should you have any further queries, or need a point clarified, the Ulster-Scots Agency can be contacted via:

Belfast Office

68-72 Great Victoria Street,

Belfast,

BT2 7BB

Telephone: 028 90 231113

Raphoe Office

The Diamond,

Moffett Building,

Raphoe,

Donegal,

Telephone: 00353 7491 73 876

Completed and correct application forms must be submitted by

12 noon 29thFriday October 2010