Grant funds available to benefit community

A LOCAL authority is encouraging groups to apply for a funding boost that will make community projects or improvements a reality.

Surrey Heath Borough Council is inviting applications for a Local Community Improvement Fund (LCIF) grant before the deadline of January 31.

The fund provides grants to assist local not for profit organisations with the delivery of community projects. It is now open for submissions and is easy to apply online.

For more information, criteria and the application form, visit the Local Community Improvement Fund page on the borough council’s website.

Surrey Heath ward councillors can also make bids to the LCIF.

Groups and projects previously successful in being awarded funds from the LCIF include:

Frimley Lodge Trim Trail – £28,800;

Bentley Copse playground improvements – £16,600;

Frimley Village Hall Charity:

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Mytchett, Frimley Green & Deepcut Society: new litter bins – £3,600;

Heatherside Ward Jubilee Benches – £3,600;

Southcote Park play area refurbishment – £15,000;

London Road Recreation Ground path resurfacing – £55,000.

Cllr Alan Ashbery, the portfolio holder for sustainable transport and planning, said: “This is a great opportunity for local groups to apply for funding to give a boost to a community project.”

The grants are funded through Community Infrastructure Levy payments (made from development taking place in the borough).

The bidding for LCIF funds for projects is designed for non-parished areas in the borough only.

Parish councils can be approached directly for support in relation to project funds, since they receive a proportion of Community Infrastructure Levy monies from building developments in their parishes.

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