Published on:
22
January 2010
Grants of up to £5000 are now available from the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environment Trust to create greener communities.
The Trust is appealing for applications to come from community groups across both Clackmannanshire and Stirling and the deadline for the next round of applications is Friday 5th March 2010.
The Trust manages landfill community fund credits raised through the land-filling of municipal waste from both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils.
The Trust is an independent organisation managed by a board of Trustees. Representatives are currently drawn from Clackmannanshire and Stirling Councils, Scottish Natural Heritage, as well as community representatives from both council areas.
It is keen to support local groups to implement projects that improve the environment or provide a benefit to both the local community and the general public.
Landfill tax credits have been distributed to local community groups for the past decade and over 200 local groups in Clackmannanshire and Stirling have been successful in applying for funding over this period.
Projects funded by the Trust have included improvements to play areas, community halls, historic and religious buildings, local woodlands and projects to help conserve local native biodiversity.
Each application is considered on its merit by the trustees and while £5000 is the usual upper limit, applications for larger amounts may be considered.
Applying to the Trust is simple. More information is available online at www.clacksweb.org.uk/environment/cset/ and you can also get help and advice from the Trust's manager Audrey Morrison by calling 01786 462824 or emailing morrisona@stirling.gov.uk
The Landfill Communities Fund allows landfill operators to reclaim part of their landfill tax bill if the money is used to support community and environmental projects. The Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environment Trust administers and distribute funds raised through the disposal of municipal waste by Clackmannanshire and Stirling Councils. The Landfill Communities Fund is the successor of Landfill Tax, which was introduced in October 1996 and was Britain's first "green tax". Basically every time refuse is disposed of in a landfill site, the site operator must pay a tax contribution to HM Revenue and Customs. The aim of the tax is to take into account the environmental costs of landfill as a waste disposal method.