Council continues community grant scheme
Community groups across the county are being offered funding for projects, as Northumberland County Council extends its Community Chest scheme for another year.
Despite facing major financial challenges, the council is continuing to make £300,000 available to community groups to support activities that will benefit and are needed by local communities.
The grant scheme is open to any voluntary or community, not-for-profit groups or organisations based in Northumberland. The money will be divided equally between the North, South East and West of the county, and administered through the area committees. Grants of up to £10,000 are available.
Councillor Andrew Tebbutt, executive member for corporate resources at Northumberland County Council said: “In the past two years the funding provided by Northumberland County Council through this scheme has helped many organisations to attract over £3million of additional external funding. One of the principal aims of this scheme is to support and encourage local commitment and enthusiasm and to make it easier for people to get involved in activities to improve their local area. We are always particularly keen to hear from any organisations, or about new projects, who have not previously received funding through the scheme.”
The money can be used for a range of purposes including events, or for the purchase of equipment, All projects must take place within the new financial year which runs until 31 March 2012. Given past experience the scheme is likely to attract a lot of interest, so an early application is recommended. Applications will be considered by a funding panel made up of councillors from the three Area Committees within the county.
For more information about the fund, or for an application form log on to www.northumberland.gov.uk, email locality.development@northumberland.gov .uk or call the council on 0845 600 6400 and ask to speak to a Locality Development Officer.
