Parish Council

West Down Parish Council (WDPC) – Small Grant Fund

Each year West Down Parish Council allocates an expenditure budget from the annual precept in order to support local groups and organisations.

The Council’s guidelines for grant applications are now available.

This process will ensure access, openness and fairness to the groups and organisations we aim to support.

WDPC grants run within a financial year April – March.

Application forms and our Grant Fund Policy can be obtained by contacting the Clerk, John Barnett, at clerk@westdownparishcouncil.org.uk.

Alternatively, everything can also be downloaded from the Parish Council website at www.westdownparishcouncil.org.uk.

Completed forms for funding the 2026/2027 financial year must be received by the Parish Clerk by Monday 20th October 2025.

Vacancy for West Down Parish Council Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer

West Down Parish Council is recruiting for the forthcoming vacancy of the position of Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer.

This is for 26 hours / month.

Start Date: 1st August 2025 (some flexibility on this).

Pay Grade from National Joint Council agreed SCP scales, depending on qualifications and experience.

Closing date for applications 27th June 2025.

The full advert and application details can be found on our Parish Council website Home Page at www.westdownparishcouncil.org.uk.

New Website for Parish Council

West Down Parish Council now have their own dedicated website – please go to:  www.westdownparishcouncil.org.uk.

Free School Meals

All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 at state schools in England automatically get free school meals.  However, parents and guardians are encouraged to apply for free school meals when they enrol their child in school, as this can help their child’s school to attract additional ‘New starter pupil premium – Education and Families‘ funding to support learning.

From year 3 onwards, children whose parents are getting any of the following are entitled to free school meals:

  • Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
  • Income Support (IS).
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA).
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income that does not exceed £16,190).
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).

School children living on their own (16-19 year olds) who receive a qualifying benefit in their own right can also get free school meals.

How to apply:

Apply through the Citizen Portal – Sign in. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision. Alternatively, call the Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019.

School meals – Education and Families

14/2/2025