The Parish Council has powers to award grants to local community organisations and charities.

Depending on what the grant is for, the individual power is either a grant allowed under the “The Powers of Parish Councils” or if not covered under these powers, can be granted under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Section 137 allows the Parish Council to spend a limited amount on activities it is not otherwise empowered to do, but which it considers to be in the interests of the area of Limpsfield Parish or its inhabitants, and which would produce a benefit equal to the grant that is given.

Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 gives Town, Parish & Community Councils in England & Wales the ability to spend a limited amount of money for purposes for which they have no other specific statutory power.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has advised NALC that the increase in the Section 137 expenditure limit for parish and town councils in England for the 2025/26 financial year. The new limit is £11.10 per elector (2934 electors in Limpsfield), up from £10.81 in 2024/25.

The increase reflects the percentage rise in the retail price index between September 2023 and September 2024, in accordance with Schedule 12B of the Local Government Act 1972.

Section 137 of the Act allows parish and town councils to incur expenditures for purposes that benefit their communities when no specific statutory power is available. You can find out more about Section 137 and how your Council can use it here Local council general powers (England).

Examples of s137 expenditure include village histories, plaques, prizes, flood relief, landscaping and flower shows, community projects, village fairs and fetes or other celebrations.

Limpsfield Parish Council maintains a line item in its annual budget for grants and S137 and will also consider applications on a case by case basis.

2020-2024 Grants and donations awarded include:

• Oxted First Responders – defibrillation maintenance
• Chart Community Coffee Mornings
• Oxted Citizens Advice Bureau
• Limpsfield in Bloom – plants & seeds
• Limpsfield Coronation Picnic – entertainment
• Local Air Ambulance – donation
• Limpsfield Village Stores Association – Post Office renovations
• Limpsfield Community Orchard (Grub Street) – irrigation system
• Limpsfield Village (Summer) Fete – entertainment
• Padbrook Residents Association – biodiversity grant
• Stanhope Residents Association – biodiversity grant
• Limpsfield Biodiversity Corner – biodiversity grant
• Limpsfield Community Orchard – biodiversity grant