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Regenerating Swale
Friday 30 July 2010
Councillors set to help community projects across Swale
Community groups across Swale have a great opportunity between now and October to bid for funding for community projects via Swale Borough Councillors.
Local Engagement Forums are public meetings held in Faversham, Sheppey and Sittingbourne once every three months. At the meetings residents have the opportunity to make points or raise concerns about issues that affect their community and the place where they live. Their elected representatives (at County, Borough and Parish levels), are all present at the meeting, together with representatives from Swale Borough Council and partner organisations (such as the Police, Kent County Council, the local Primary Care Trust) who deliver local services.
Through the Local Engagement Forums each of Swale’s 47 borough councillors has been allocated £1,250 to award to small-scale community projects that result in community benefits to local people.
Last year in Lynsted, Park Farm Cherry Orchard Group in Lynsted received £1,200 to improve access to the site and develop the component of the site, including for children attending Lynsted and Norton Primary School and orchard enthusiasts.
Last year in Sittingbourne the Sittingbourne Swifts Gymnastics Club received £1,550 to help the junior gymnastics club train junior club members to become professionally qualified gymnastic Coaches. Worn landing mats could also be replaced thanks to the money.
Last year in Sheppey the Friends of Lovell Road received £1,250 to improve the environment of the play area and provide diversionary facilities for young people.
A whole range of organisations can apply, and there are clear guidance notes on how to apply available from Swale Borough Council. There will be three rounds of funding. The deadline for submitting applications in the first round is Monday 30 August 2010, the second deadline is Tuesday 12 October 2010 and the third deadline is Wednesday 01 December.
You can make an application online at http://www.swale.gov.uk/lef-online-application.
A list of Councillors, listed alphabetically by the Wards they represent, is available via the Council’s website, at http://www.swale.gov.uk/councillorlist.
Councillor John Morris, Swale Borough Council’s Executive Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities said “Once again it will be a privilege for Swale Borough Councillors to help small-scale community projects through the local engagement forums. This is a process that made a big difference across Swale last year, with a whole host of very worthwhile causes receiving funding.
“In the current financial times it is wonderful that we can make a difference to local groups. We hope that people will take the time to apply for the funding and then come along to the Forums to ask questions about local services, engage with the decision-makers of Swale and raise any points of concern that they have about what goes on where they live. The forums are where the public servants listen to the public and are a vital part of the democratic process.”