Archived press release

Date Published: 01/12/06

Community and voluntary groups in Aylesbury Vale have until 8 January 2007 to apply for the next round of funding from the council’s community grants scheme. The grants scheme is the main way in which AVDC provides funding and support to th...

Community and voluntary groups in Aylesbury Vale have until 8 January 2007 to apply for the next round of funding from the council’s community grants scheme.

The grants scheme is the main way in which AVDC provides funding and support to the community and voluntary sector. Grants are allocated in five rounds throughout the year.

In the last round of funding, five groups benefited from the scheme and a total of £14,503 was awarded. The next awards, the first in 2007, will be made in January.

Organisations providing leisure or community activities can apply for funding for new initiatives or projects which improve the range or quality of service provision. Grants are also awarded to capital projects where the majority of money comes from other sources.

In general, grants can be used for village halls and other community meeting places; children’s play areas; community sports facilities; and pilot projects providing new community or leisure facilities.

So far in 2006/7 district councillors have committed more than £100,000 in project grants to support local initiatives.
 
Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “We can fund a wide range of projects and are always keen to hear from groups who have not previously applied for grant funding. In all cases the funding provided will give support to community projects which in turn will benefit the people of Aylesbury Vale.”

Grants awarded by the council during the last round of funding include:
• Gawcott with Lenborough Parish Council Playing Fields Committee, £5,000 towards the extension of the existing car park at Gawcott playing fields to reduce the need for parking on the main road
• Mursley United Football Club, £3,518 towards improvements to the club’s playing surface
• Watermead Parish Council, £2,116 towards the restoration of the bandstand at Watermead Lake to enable it to be opened up for use again at community events
• Worminghall Village Hall Committee, £993 towards the replacement of a specialist window at the hall

Information about applying for a grant is available on the council’s website under About Aylesbury Vale. Although applications cannot be made online, it will be possible to request forms and make enquiries by calling Anne Vujanic on 01296 585186 or emailing grants@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk