Funding Review Procedure
ARTS COUNCIL OF NORTHERN IRELAND
STAGE 1 – CONTACT STAFF MEMBER If, following your discussions with the staff member, you still think that the funding decision is flawed on the basis that either the Arts Council failed to follow its own procedures, or that its procedures were deficient, you can formally request a Review of the funding decision as set out below at Stage 2. You cannot ask for a Review against a Council decision that was taken on the grounds of artistic quality.
STAGE 2 – SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN FUNDING REVIEW REQUEST Funding Review Request forms are available below, or in hard copy from the staff member responsible for your original application. These forms must be submitted within 20 days of receipt of the Council’s decision. Funding Review Request Form ( Word , Rich Text or PDF ) Reviews will only be considered on the grounds that:
Failure to identify which of the above 2 criteria applies will result in your application for a Review being invalidated. If your request is considered valid it will follow one of the following procedures, dependent on which programme and/or amount of grant requested.
a) Annual Support for Organisations Programme If your request is considered valid, your Funding Review Request form will be passed to an Independent Reviewer along with the application file, including the officer assessment and record of the final decision. The Independent Reviewer will have the authority to ask for the application to be re-assessed if it is found that the Council’s processes/procedures were deficient or incorrectly applied. The Independent Reviewer does not have the authority to award a grant. Normally, you will be notified of the Independent Reviewer’s decision within 30 working days of receipt of your Request Form. If the Independent Reviewer finds in your favour the original funding application will be re-assessed against the relevant programme criteria. This will normally be carried out within 20 working days of the Reviewer’s decision and there is no guarantee that funding will be forthcoming. Decisions of the Independent Reviewer will be brought to the attention of the Board of the Arts Council at its next scheduled meeting, dates of which are on the Arts Council website.
b) Support for the Individual Artist Programme (except Major Individual awards) If your request is considered valid, the Chief Executive of the Council will assess your Funding Review Request Form, along with the application file, including the officer assessment and record of the final decision. Normally, you will be notified of the Chief Executive’s decision within 20 working days of receiving your Review request. If the Chief Executive finds in your favour, your original funding application will be re-assessed against the relevant programme criteria. This will normally be carried out within 20 working days of the Chief Executive’s decision and there is no guarantee that funding will be forthcoming. Decisions of the Chief Executive will be brought to the attention of Board of the Arts Council at its next scheduled meeting, dates of which are on the Arts Council website.
STAGE 3 - OMBUDSMAN If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Stage 2 Review, you can contact the Ombudsman: The Ombudsman, Freepost BEL 1478, Belfast BT1 6BR. You should be aware that the Ombudsman will normally not investigate a complaint which has not been through the above procedure.
|