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Craven District Council

Community groups are invited to apply for Craven District Council’s Ward Member Grants

Craven District Council’s Ward Member Grants scheme has been launched for the fourth year.

The scheme allows community groups to apply to their local councillors for cash to help provide community run events, services and facilities.

Each ward councillor has a maximum of £1,000 to give out to local organisations.

Councillor David Ireton, lead member for Resilient Communities at Craven District Council, said: “This scheme has been very successful over the last three years, funding a huge range of projects across the district.

“Last year a total of 63 projects received funding, ranging from £100 to £1,550, and this went to many different activities, including arts projects, community buildings, environmental improvements, children’s activities, health and wellbeing, playgrounds and sport.

“We’ve helped sporting groups including Skipton Juniors Football Club, Cross Hills Football Club, Cononley Community Bowling Group, Whinfield Bowling Club and North Ribblesdale Rugby Club.

“We’ve supported projects as diverse as Age Concern Hellifield’s Lunch Club, Bentham Community Youth Café, Ingleton Autumn Light Show and Fallfest.

“Ward Member Grants allow every district councillor to respond to local needs, supporting projects or activities that benefit their communities. We look forward to helping many more groups and projects over the next year.”

Ward Member Grants were introduced in 2016 and the council’s Policy Committee agreed in June 2018 to continue the scheme for the following three financial years.

Ward budgets can also be used to fund joint projects between two or more wards, although there is a cap preventing any individual project from receiving more than £2,000.

The annual budget for the scheme is £30,000, with £15,000 coming from the New Homes Bonus.

A copy of the application criteria and application form can be found on the council website at www.cravendc.gov.uk/wardmembergrants

The scheme will close for applications at 4pm on Monday February 17, 2020 and all applications will need to have been received by Craven District Council, Business Support by this time.