Community grants up for grabs

7:02am Saturday 19th July 2008

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HEREFORDSHIRE residents are being encouraged to apply for grants to improve community buildings which provide a lifeline in the county.

Under the Herefordshire Council Community Buildings Grant Scheme, groups and individuals can apply for grants to extend, improve and explore the possibility of adapting their buildings to ensure communities get the maximum use out of them.

The council offers three types of grant to support community buildings: l The Community Buildings Capital Grants Scheme. This offers grants of up to £15,000 or 25% of cost, depending which is less, for schemes of £10,000 or more.

l The Community Buildings Improvement Grants Scheme. This offers grants up to £2,000 or 50% of costs, depending which is less, for schemes of £10,000 or less.

l The Community Buildings Feasibility Grants Scheme offers grants up to £2,000 for 50% of project costs, depending of which is less. This scheme supports feasibility work to determine the creation or improvement of a community facility.

Councillor Adrian Blackshaw, cabinet member for economic development and community services, said: "The council recognises the value that community buildings have within thriving local communities, particularly when the activities that they offer provide such a lifeline for so many of their parishioners.

"These facilities need to be maintained and utilised, particularly in light of Herefordshire's increasing ageing population and I am happy that we can offer some assistance to support their future."

Groups wanting to apply for grants this year need to submit their application by 5pm on September 19.

For information and guidance on the three available grants, call the delegated grants team on 01432 260753.