Expressions of Interest open Thursday 19 June and close Thursday 10 July 2025
We are seeking Expressions of Interest from local residents, who have expertise in the following sectors, to fill community representative positions on each of the following Panels:
- Arts and Creativity Grants Assessment Panel: 2 individual community representatives - local residents of the Northern Beaches with expertise in arts and culture. Aboriginal-identified people with expertise in arts and culture are highly encouraged to apply.
- Environmental Grants Assessment Panel: Up to 2 individual community representatives
- Community Development Grants Assessment Panel: 2 individual community representatives
About the Panels
The purpose of the Assessment Panels is to provide independent expert advice to Northern Beaches Council, assess and score each eligible application received, for 2025/26 grant funding. The full Terms of Reference documents for each stream are available below.
The Panel will put forward to Council the recommended list for funding:
- Arts and Creativity Grants up to the value of $100,000
- Community Development grants up to the value of $120,000
- Environmental Grants up to the value of $50,000
Panels comprise up to 4 members:
- 2 local residents of the Northern Beaches with expertise in the relevant field.
- 2 Council staff members
Grants Assessment Panel member responsibilities
The primary responsibility of the Panel is to provide independent, expert advice to Council. All members of the Panel have an obligation to:
- Review all eligible applications
- Score and provide comments for each eligible application against each of the assessment criteria
- Attend all meetings scheduled for the Panel
- Share knowledge, encourage discussion and actively participate in Panel deliberations
- Communicate and seek feedback from each other to achieve consensus on recommendations, and where consensus is not possible for any reason, respect the Panel’s majority decision regarding advice provided to Council
- Respect the values of the communities that may be affected by Panel advice
- Treat fellow Panel members and Council staff professionally and act in good faith
- Maintain confidentiality as appropriate and as required
- Serve independently with the ability to give impartial advice without financial interest and without representing the specific interests of specific groups or individuals
- Demonstrate a robust approach to actual or perceived conflicts of interest and provide relevant updates as required.
Up to 2 Panel meetings will be held, during business hours, at a venue to be determined, or online via Microsoft Teams. The Panel will operate from August – September 2025.
Fee paid to representatives
Members are paid a fee, which covers all preparatory time such as review of applications, scoring, Panel meetings and other relevant business required by the Panel.
The fee provided per panel member will be dependent upon the volume of applications received in the 2025/26 grant round; $400 for up to 74 applications received, and $750 for 75+ applications received.
Appointment
Applicants will be able to apply through the below link and will be asked the about the following application criteria for each grant stream:
- Knowledge and experience
- Affiliation
- Reason for participation
Submissions will be assessed by Northern Beaches Council staff in accordance with the Community Committee Framework and Appointment of Community & Stakeholder Representative Policy.
Terms of Reference
Key dates
- Expressions of Interest open: Thursday 19 June 2025
- Expressions of Interest close: Thursday 10 July 2025
- Successful applicants notified: August 2025