Archived press release

Date Published: 05/06/07

The first cash boost has been handed to community projects in Aylesbury Vale as part of the district’s Community Chest awards scheme that was launched in March. The new grant fund – administered jointly by Aylesbury Vale District Coun...

The first cash boost has been handed to community projects in Aylesbury Vale as part of the district’s Community Chest awards scheme that was launched in March.

The new grant fund – administered jointly by Aylesbury Vale District Council and the Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust (VAHT) – has been made possible by a VAT rebate on the transfer of council houses to the trust. Over the next ten years the fund will award around £5 million in grants to support projects for local people.

Five community projects will receive funding totalling over £4,500 in the first round of ‘micro grant’ awards. These are easily accessible grants of up to £1,000 which are awarded to projects and groups for a range of different uses, such as running costs or organising a community event.

Projects to win financial backing under the first round of allocations are:
• MAD about Waddesdon Festival (30 June – 1 July 2007) –  the organisers of this festival of music, art, dance, drama and gymnastics, involving local schools and community groups, were given a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of providing sound stages for young performers
• Young Deaf Activities  – this charity, which supports profoundly deaf children in Buckinghamshire, was awarded £1,000 to help supply equipment, materials and transport for children at a summer playscheme in Stoke Mandeville this summer
• Bedgrove Residents and Community Association – awarded £960 to help provide marquees at a community fun day in Bedgrove Park on 14 July
• Future Inspiration – this Aylesbury-based group, which aims to overcome cultural differences and isolation within the local community, was awarded £875 towards the cost of providing 
children’s activities at a community event in Alfred Rose Memorial Park on 26 July
• Oakfield North Residents Association – given a grant of £850 towards the cost of children’s entertainment at a summer fayre in the area on 28 July

Micro grant applications are reviewed on a monthly basis and can be submitted at any time. To be eligible to apply, groups must be formally constituted, not-for-profit and provide community activities or services which are of benefit to local residents within Aylesbury Vale.

Project grants up to £25,000 are also available for both new and existing projects that can demonstrate they are successful in meeting local needs. These are one-off grants for specific projects which are assessed by a panel consisting of three elected councillors from AVDC and three representatives from VAHT.

Micro grants are not administered by the panel; instead the grants officer makes a recommendation which has to be approved by the chief executives of AVDC and VAHT.

The third and final funding stream, long term-revenue grants, is launched in July and will involve a two-stage application process.

Councillor Pam Pearce, AVDC Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “Small community and voluntary groups need the type of financial support that the Community Chest can offer. Applications are coming in steadily, but we need more. I would encourage all local groups to find ways of bidding for funds through the Community Chest, and look forward to many new and existing projects being supported as a result of the scheme.” 

Matthew Applegate, Chief Executive of VAHT, said: “To award the micro grants to such a diverse group of organisations who are providing exciting community based activities this summer, certainly demonstrates the positive and immediate benefits the Community Chest can bring. These are exactly the types of events I believe the micro grants can and should support.”

The closing date for the first set of project grant applications is 8 June. There will be further opportunities to apply for project grants later in the year.

For further details on the grants criteria or to request an application form, please call the

Community Chest Grants Officer, Sarah Rothwell, on 01296 585634, or email community chest@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk