Councillors now have extra cash to help their communities
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Councillors are to be given extra funding so that they help local groups in their area affected by the impact of COVID-19.
Each year, as part of the Ward Councillor Grant Scheme, councillors are given £2000, which they can allocate to groups in their area which aim to improve the lives of local people.
At a meeting on Tuesday 16 June, our Executive agreed a proposal to extend the existing Ward Councillor Grant Scheme and allocate an additional £1000 to each ward councillor. This is to enable them to support local groups that are dealing with the direct consequences of the current public health emergency. Unlike the existing scheme, bids for the additional funds do not require match funding.
Executive Member with responsibility for Communities, Councillor Tracey Stock explains:
Many local voluntary and community groups, both new and well established, have stepped up to help as part of their response to the pandemic, playing a phenomenal role in their parishes, villages and towns. This will undoubtedly have put pressure on their resources which is why we want to help them.
Local councillors know their area best and are well placed to spend the money where it will make the most difference.
For some groups a small grant can make a big difference to how they make it through this pandemic.