Community groups and charities are invited to apply for money to improve their corner of the borough.
Bury Council has an annual allocation of £38,600 in Community Fund money, which has been split into two areas:
• The ‘ward fund’, which is for projects that will benefit one particular ward in the borough. Individual grants of up to £250 are available to formally constituted groups, and applications will require the support of at least one councillor in the relevant ward. Funding decisions will be made by all ward councillors. This fund also incorporates the council’s Community Chest grant.
• The ‘cross ward fund’, for projects that cross more than one ward. Again, applications are open to constituted community and voluntary organisations, and will require the support of at least one councillor from each of the wards benefiting from the grant. Awards can go up to £750, and applications would be determined by the council’s Small Grants Panel.
Four grants of £250 have so far been awarded to: Brandlesholme Residents Association, to improve local recreation facilities; Abbey Close TRA for a coach to take elderly members on a weekend trip to Blackpool; Ramsbottom Supporters Club for loyalty cards for club members; and Elms Community Centre for prizes in a gardening competition.
Councillor Sandra Walmsley, executive member for communities, said: “There are so many community groups in our borough who do great work at the most local level. These projects may seem small, but they can make a real difference to people’s everyday quality of life, and I urge local groups to get in touch and apply for a grant.”
For more information or an application form please contact Liz Saunders, programme support manager, on 0161 253 6357 or email E.saunders@bury.gov.uk
