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Community Fund Set for Launch

Test Valley Borough Council is set to launch a new Community Asset Fund aimed at supporting local projects, on Friday 6th December 2013. [Read more...]

Test Valley Borough Council is set to launch a new Community Asset Fund aimed at supporting local projects, on Friday 6th December 2013.

Clubs, charities, voluntary organisations, parish and town councils, village and community hall committees and village shops will be eligible to apply for a share of £300,000. Applicants can submit bids for 50 per cent of the cost of a project, up to a maximum of £25,000.

The council will award grants four times per year and cut-off dates for submissions for each round will be published on the authority’s website. Groups have between Friday 6th December 2013 and Monday 6th January 2014 to submit bids for the first round of grants. Once applications have closed, the bids will be reviewed and the money will be awarded to successful projects by 13th February 2014.

Full terms and conditions and an application form will be available online at www.testvalley.gov.uk/CAF. Hard copies of the documents can be obtained from community engagement officer, Marianne Piggin, on 01264 368623.

Projects potentially eligible for funding include community projects, new builds, refurbishments to existing community buildings, play and recreation equipment and public art.

Councillor Tony Ward, portfolio holder for community and leisure, said: “This is fantastic news for the local community and I look forward to seeing projects come forward to bid for a share of the funding.

It can be extremely difficult for communities to get initiatives off the ground as finances are invariably an issue. The Community Asset Fund will provide a valuable lifeline to ensure schemes can be progressed and delivered. It also forms part of the council’s commitment to help residents achieve their full potential.

Funding for the grants will come from the council’s New Homes Bonus reserve, which is created by the government matching the council tax income for six years from new homes created in the borough. The authority is able to use this money to help meet the needs of its growing communities.

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