(Please note that you cannot ask for a Review against
Stage 1 - Contact Staff Member If you are unhappy about a funding decision, you must contact the staff member responsible for handling your application to let them know about your concerns. This contact can be in writing, by e-mail, fax or by telephone. 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 Review Request Review Request forms are available from the Arts Council’s web-site, or in hard copy from the staff member responsible for your original application. 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, the Chief Executive of the Council will assess your Review Request Form, the papers connected with the original decision, and any other relevant material. The Chief Executive may, at her discretion, meet with you to discuss your case in more detail. 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. The re-assessment will be carried out within a reasonable time-scale and there is no guarantee that funding will be forthcoming. Decisions of the Chief Executive will be brought to the attention of the full Arts Council at its next scheduled meeting, dates of which are on the Arts Council website.
Stage 3 – Review Panel If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the decision reached at Stage 2 you may ask for your Review Request to be considered by a Review Panel. The Review Panel will normally meet within 20 working days of receipt of your application (holiday periods permitting). The Review Panel will consist of 3 members: The Chairman of the Council (or a member of the Council), who will act as Chair, and 2 external advisers drawn from the Arts Council’s Central Advisers’ listing. The Director of Operations will be in attendance. Other Officer(s) of the Council may be called to attend if required. The Review Panel cannot reverse funding decisions or make comments or changes to the Arts Council’s legal responsibilities and policies on awarding grants. If the Review Panel finds in your favour, your original funding application will be re-assessed against the relevant programme criteria. The re-assessment will be carried out within a reasonable time-scale and there is no guarantee that funding will be forthcoming. In any case, decisions of the Review Panel will be brought to the attention of the full Arts Council at its next scheduled meeting, dates of which are on the Arts Council website. Any member/s of the Review Panel who disagree/s with the decision may produce a separate short report for Council.
Stage 4 – Ombudsman If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Review, you can contact the Ombudsman: The Ombudsman, Freepost BEL 1478, Belfast BT1 6BR. Tel: 028 9023 3821 Freephone 0800 343424 Fax: 028 9023 4912
You should be aware that the Ombudsman will normally not investigate a complaint which has not been through the above procedure. Click Here for Review Form in PDF Format Click Here for Review Form in Rich Text Format
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