Grants Panel
The main Sustainable Development Fund Grants Panel makes funding decisions for:
- Strategic projects requesting under £5,001
- All projects requesting over £5,001.
The Grants Panel consists of eight volunteers and two Northumberland National Park Authority Members. Funding decisions are made democratically - the Chair remains impartial throughout the appraisal process. Funding decisions will be usually made within two months of the receipt of the application form.
Tim Hibbert
Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund Grants Panel
Tim has been Chair of the Grants Panel since Northumberland National Park was awarded the Sustainable Development Fund in 2002, after being appointed from the Northumberland National Park Environment Association. Tim lectures at the University of Northumbria, and is also a member of the Sustainable Development Fund Appeals Panel.
Mervyn D. Anthony
Vice Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund Grants Panel
Mervyn has been Vice Chair of the Grants Panel since 2007. Mervyn is a highly experienced business professional who has a background in electrical engineering, ecology and conservation, and a wide knowledge of technical sales and product and project management. Mervyn has also worked with organisations like English Nature and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, and he is also a member of the Environment Association.
Peter Nicholson
Northumberland National Park Authority Member
Peter is an appointed Member of Northumberland National Park Authority. Peter worked closely with the Environment Association, and since 2002, has been involved on the Sustainable Development Fund Grants Panel. Peter has over 25 years of experience of leading field studies and outdoor pursuits with college students. He is a keen geologist, and is presently a part-time teacher, as well as instructing yachting and skiing lessons. Peter is the Champion for the North Tyne and Redesdale Action Area.
Elizabeth Stockdale
Northumberland National Park Authority Member
Elizabeth is an appointed Member of Northumberland National Park Authority. Elizabeth previously undertook a PhD in nitrogen cycling processes at an organic farm in Scotland, before becoming a lecturer at the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, at the University of Newcastle. Elizabeth is also Chairman of the Northumberland National Park Authority Review Panel, and is the Champion for the Hadrian’s Wall Action Area.
Margaret Ballarini
Mid Tyne Community Trust / Newcastle City Council
Margaret is Vice Chair of both the Mid Tyne Community Trust, which is focussed on the socio-economic regeneration of the area, and Humshaugh Parish Council, which borders the National Park. Margaret has over 13 years of experience at appraising project applications for Newcastle City Council and a National Lottery distributor.
Jane Brantom-Forster
Jane has over 20 years of experience of managing integrated sustainable tourism projects, of which 16 years were spent in the protected landscapes in Northumberland. Jane managed and developed the Hadrian’s Wall Tourism Partnership, which focussed on innovative work ranging from access, interpretation, education, local supply chains, business development, public transport and marketing the World Heritage Site. Jane is currently researching World Heritage Sites and Sustainable Tourism at the University of Newcastle.
Anna Charlton
Anna is a resident of Northumberland National Park, and is a Senior Management Consultant, with over 10 years of experience in banking, government, and retail industries. Anna has a PhD in Physics, and has spent several years studying and lecturing at Imperial College, London. Anna has a keen interest in renewable energy and is also a Trustee of the Calvert Trust, which is located at Kielder.
John Goodfellow
John has been a member of the Sustainable Development Fund Grants Panel since 2002. As well as being a member of the National Farmers Union, he runs a local hotel business in Otterburn.
John Hartshorne
John has been a member of the Sustainable Development Fund Grants Panel since 2002. John has a background in botany, horticulture and tree surgery. He teaches Science and Biology at Queen Elizabeth School in Hexham, and is the Chair of Otterburn Parish Council. John has a particular interest in sustainable renewable energy technologies, and he is an active member of Greenpeace and the Environment Association.
David Weatherhead
John has been a member of the Sustainable Development Fund Grants Panel since 2002. David has a extensive background of working in the community and voluntary sector, and is the Director of Castle Morpeth Disability Association. David specialises in providing funding advice.
Potential applicants to the Sustainable Development Fund are strongly urged not to approach any member of the Grants Panel for funding advice, as this may compromise their impartiality during the appraisal process.
If you would like to know more about how funding decisions are made for the smaller non-strategic grants, please follow this link to the Sustainable Development Fund Small Grants Appraisal Group.
If you've already got your idea and you're ready to make a start, then Contact Us to find out how to apply for funding.
