Council hails big society funding scheme (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Tendring: Council hails big society funding scheme

12:10pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News

TENDRING Council has hailed its Big Society scheme which has now generated more than £1million for community groups.

The Big Society Fund was launched two years ago to replace annual grants given out to community groups.

A cashpot of £500,000 was set aside and groups were encouraged to bid for funding from it for worthwhile projects.

So far 23 groups and organisations have successfully secured funding from the fund for a total of £301,254.

And every pound from the fund has benefited from an additional £3 in match funding from other groups.

Council leader Peter Halliday said: “Whichever way you look at it a great deal more money has been made available for significant community projects.

“Alresford received £15,000 from our fund towards a refurbishment of its village hall and that helped to bring in a further £70,000 in match funding – a fantastic result.”

The original £500,000 was topped up with a further £143,000 last year.

Tendring Council still has £341,746 in the pot left to allocate when suitable bids come in.

The council has announced it wants to see some of the remaining cash spent to boost the education and skills of youngsters, as well as sports groups and facilities.