Clackmannanshire Council Online

Communities Urged to Apply for Community Development Funds

Clackmannanshire Council has handed over grants of over £30,000 to local community groups from the Community Development Fund.

The £200,000-fund was established as part of 'Making Clackmannanshire Better'. The funding aims to incentivise communities to work with the Council to improve the physical environment and community facilities.

Applications opened earlier this year and so far five local groups have been successful in their applications:

• Alloa Allotments - £5,082 for new fencing
• Hillfoots Rugby Club - £8,791 to upgrade the toilets
• Cambus and District Bowling Club - £3,840 to improve the roof
• Hawkhill Community Centre - £8,616 for new lighting
• Alva Bowling Club - £7,560 to create disabled access and artificial bankings

The Council continues to invite applications from groups from all over the county to get their share of the fund which is open to applications for capital expenditure such as permanent improvements, new buildings and refurbishments. The closing date for applications is 31st December 2014.

Council Leader Les Sharp said: "I am delighted that five local groups have been successful in their applications to the Community Development Fund. I hope that in the coming month community groups from throughout Clackmannanshire will be inspired by these successful projects and apply to the fund to help improve their local area or their facilities."

To receive a grant, the project has to be planned to start within the current financial year and completed within 12 months of starting.

Projects should assist in meeting the ambitions set out in Making Clackmannanshire Better and/or more integrated accessible services for local communities.

Activities which contribute to the regeneration or development of an area include, in particular

• securing that land and buildings are brought into effective use
• contributing to, or encouraging economic development
• creating an attractive and safe environment
• preventing crime or reducing the fear of crime
• providing or improving housing or social and recreational facilities, for the purpose of encouraging people to live or work in the area or of benefiting people who live there
• providing or improving training, educational facilities or health services for local people
• providing employment for local people
• assisting local people to make use of opportunities for education , training or employment
• benefiting local people who have special needs because of disability or because of their sex or the racial group to which they belong.

Groups can apply for 60% of the total project cost up to a maximum of £10,000 including any VAT.

More information about the criteria is available on ClacksWeb.