Funding boost for Cranbrook community efforts
Communities in Cranbrook will soon begin to feel the benefit of money from East Devon District Council and Devon County Council after Broadclyst Parish Council successfully bid for £4,000 from the Parishes Together Fund.
Broadclyst Parish Council has allocated another £1,500 to the fund, so there is £5,500 available.
East Devon District Council and Devon County Council worked together to put the sum of £1.10 per elector into a ‘Parishes Together Fund’ grants scheme that Town and Parish Councils can apply for. To qualify, parishes have to work together to apply for the funding.
This application came jointly from four parishes (Broadclyst, Rockbeare, Whimple and Clyst Honiton) after an idea proposed to them by the Cranbrook Community Forum.
Community organisations, community groups, community clubs, social or community enterprises can now apply for between £25 and £500 for sustainable projects that will be of benefit to Cranbrook for example:
- Start-up costs, so for things like buying equipment to set up a badminton club like nets, rackets and shuttlecocks
- Event costs, so for things like advertising, and hiring or buying attractions
- Costs of permanent or temporary items or equipment.
The funding cannot be used for ongoing costs unless there is a clear plan for how these ongoing costs will be funded in the future. The fund is available for one year only.
To find out more about how you can apply or to get a copy of the guidance and application form contact either Angie Hurren, Broadclyst Parish Clerk, clerk@broadclyst.org or phone 07532 286713 or Stephen Lawrence, Cranbrook Community Forum, vicechair.cranbrookforum@gmail.com or call 07727 257092.
The application form will also soon be available on the Broadclyst Parish Council and Cranbrook Community Forum websites.
EDDC’s part of the funding came from the New Homes Bonus, which is paid by the Government to EDDC for every new home built or brought back into use. DCC’s part of the funding came from its main budgets.
EDDC and DCC have worked together to put the same amount of funding into a pot that Town and Parish Councils can bid for this year. To find out more: www.eastdevon.gov.uk/parishestogetherfund
Councillor Ray Bloxham, EDDC Member and Chair of the New Homes Bonus Panel which made the decision on the applications, said: “Cranbrook is a young, vibrant and developing community. This money will help to support the many community initiatives that residents are working hard to establish in Cranbrook.”
Devon County Council Leader John Hart said: “Devon County Council is continuing to make funds available to communities to use how they see best.
“This money is available to Parish and Town Councils to spend in ways that will benefit their communities.
“I firmly believe decisions should be made as locally as possible to encourage local accountability and I have always advocated more partnership with our district, town and parish colleagues.
“If we believe in the ‘resilience’ of our smaller communities, then this is one way of pump-priming activity.”
Councillor Chris Pepper the Chairman of Broadclyst Parish Council added “Building a town is not simply about bricks and mortar, but also establishing and supporting many aspects of community life such as groups, clubs and public events. Broadclyst Parish Council is delighted to secure this funding, which underlines our ongoing commitment to support our parishioners at Cranbrook in whichever way we are able.”
