Community groups and organisations can now apply for funding for small-scale local initiatives following this year’s launch of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Councillor Community Grant Scheme. 

Now in its fifth year, the scheme has so far seen more than 308 grants awarded to community and voluntary organisations to help them deliver small-scale, local initiatives that make a difference to people’s lives and bring communities together. 

The scheme sees each councillor given a total allocation of £2,000 which they can use to support organisations providing services or facilities that benefit the residents in their ward. 

Councillors can individually support applications for grants of between £250 and £2,000. They can also pool funding with one or two other councillors within Basingstoke and Deane to provide grants up to a maximum of £3,000. 

The grant funding can be used to support initiatives that contribute to key priorities set out in the borough council’s Council Plan. 

Since its launch, the scheme has funded a wide range of items including outdoor gym and play equipment, gardening tools and plants, kitchen equipment, gazebos, laptops and art and craft materials. 

Cabinet Member for Communities, Partnerships and Inclusion Cllr John McKay said: “These grants mean that our councillors, who work at the heart of our communities, are able to support local groups with funding for projects and activities which could make a difference to our residents’ lives. 

“Last year we’ve seen grants awarded for equipment used in a range of community events and celebrations, sports activities and community initiatives across our borough and we’d really like to encourage more groups and organisations to get in touch with their ward councillors to see how this funding could benefit them and their community.”  

For more information about the scheme and eligibility criteria, visit?www.basingstoke.gov.uk/cllr-community-grants