Community groups to get share of £1m
STOCKPORT council has announced plans to invest £1m in local community initiatives across the borough.
The authority, which launched the new scheme on Thursday, welcomed members of the public to the town hall to discuss any ideas and plans they had.
The aim of the ‘Stockport Local Fund’ is to invest in local activities and projects that help people to join together and make neighbourhoods better places to live.
Council leader Alex Ganotis said: “We’re all passionate about the place we call home.
“Wherever you live in Stockport, you’ll know what you most love about your local community and you’ll have great ideas on how to make it even better.
“So the council has created the fund to help bring your ideas for local activities and projects to life.”
Coun Ganotis continued: “We want you to suggest new ideas that we could invest in and you could grow, together with your friends and neighbours.
“Even if you’ve not done anything like this before, we want you to get involved.”
The council say the project provides new ways of working with communities and encourages neighbours to work together and ‘care for each other’.
Deputy leader Coun Wendy Wild said: “Local community groups make a crucial difference in people’s lives, helping to reduce social isolation, bring people together and develop skills.
“The fund can help bring ideas for local activities and projects to life.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to work collaboratively together, not just with the council but with each other.
“As such, it is our hope that this fund can help community groups go from strength to strength.“
Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance Coun Elise Wilson said investing in community groups is a way of helping residents gain a greater sense of ownership over what goes on in their area.
“Strong communities and community groups help reduce social problems through promoting mental and physical well being,” she said.
“This helps reduce demand on council services and potential costs passed to taxpayers.
“This is why I believe the scheme represents a win-win for all involved.”