Grants a minor point (6)
I believe the answer is:
awards
'grants' is the definition.
(I know this)
'a minor point' is the wordplay.
'minor' becomes 'ward' (I've seen this in other clues).
'point' becomes 's' (South).
'a'+'ward'+'s'='AWARDS'
(Other definitions for awards that I've seen before include "Decisions or prizes" , "Grants" , "Official prizes or payments" , "Prizes or tributes" , "Gives officially as prize" .)