Conservative-led West Lindsey District Council has launched new community grant schemes worth £300,000. Community groups are invited to bid for a share of the cash. Conservatives on the council have committed £250,000 for its new Community Action and Volunteering Fund (CAV Fund).
The remaining £50,000 will be given to community groups to help organise celebrations and events for the Olympics and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this summer.
Conservative Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr. Burt Keimach said:
“This is an exciting time for West Lindsey. I am thrilled to officially launch these grant schemes, which I am confident, will support our community in all the wonderful things they are doing locally. I hope it will help to boost volunteering opportunities across the district.”
The CAV Fund can be used for activities that bring the community together; for example, setting up a residents group or gardening club or carrying out small improvements to community assets including painting community rooms and projects involving volunteers that promote community action.
West Lindsey covers four hundred and fifty square miles with a wide mix of rural and urban areas. To ensure the CAV Fund is evenly distributed, the council has split the district into six areas, which will all have an allocation of £40,000 each. Local district councillors in each area will sit on a panel to decide along with community members to agree on the applications. The maximum grant available is £250.
The areas are:
- Market Rasen
- Caistor
- Trent
- Fossdyke
- Witham
- Gainsborough
The Olympic Fund and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Fund is match-funded to help support costs associated directly with staging and promoting local celebrations that encourage community spirit, including street parties. Groups and organisations can bid for a maximum of £1,000 each. Cllr Keimach added:
“These funds provide a great opportunity to stimulate and support a wide range of community activities throughout our district.
“We want to help enhance the good work happening in our communities and create a legacy of celebration, volunteering and community spirit.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Community Lincs and the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, on these fantastic initiatives. They are administrating the CAV Fund, the Olympic Fund and Queens Diamond Jubilee Fund respectively.”
Community Lincs Chief Executive, Ms Fiona White, said
“Community Lincs are delighted to be working with West Lindsey District Council in delivery of the CAV Fund.
“Our experience of administering small grants will ensure applicants get all the help they need in putting together successful applications and delivering projecs that can make a real difference”
Ms Janet Inman, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, said:
“We are delighted to be working with West Lindsey District Council once again, and look forward to engaging the local community through the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is an exciting year for Lincolnshire and we’re proud to be part of it.”