Not too late to apply for share of £30,000

Community groups are being reminded that it's not too late to bid for a share of £30,000 for local projects.  For the fifth year running, Cheltenham Borough Council is offering the money through its community pride scheme, but all applications have to be in by this Friday (1 July).

This year's scheme is all about encouraging local groups to be able to do more in their communities and the council would be interested in receiving applications which support:

 Voluntary work
 Training courses for volunteers and paid staff
 The purchase of equipment to enable a group to be more effective in improving their neighbourhood
 Access to advice and support so that groups can take on public access and/or public services
 The use of technology and social media to create a sense of community
 The organisation of community events and/or environmental improvements to promote community resilience and sustainability

Councillor Steve Jordan, leader of the council said:  ''This scheme has proved very popular in the past and supported many small projects around Cheltenham. Once again, we are looking for wide-ranging applications which will have a direct benefit to the local community.  Funding for public services continues to fall, so it is even more important that we tap into opportunities for communities to support themselves and I hope this funding can help build the capacity to do that.''

Read the application guidelines and application form.

The closing date is Friday 1 July at 5pm.  An assessment panel will meet shortly after to ensure that a list of projects recommended for approval is brought to cabinet on 26 July for approval.

For media enquiries, contact: Katie Sandey, communications team leader, telephone 01242 775050, email [email protected]

Notes

Cheltenham Borough Council's community pride scheme has so far given more than £200,000 to eighty community-based initiatives since it launched in 2006.