Councillors to offer grants to good causes

Chanctonbury County Local Committee (CLC) has just over £14,000 left to allocate from its Community Initiative Fund for the 2014/15 financial year.

Committee chairman David Barling said: “Through the Community Initiative Fund, we have been able to give grants to a variety of projects, including a defibrillator for a village hall and a tea boiler for a local film club.”

Each year the CLC has £24,000 which the councils award in grants to community projects for capital spending at one of its quarterly meetings.

Currently, more than £1.2million has been granted to more than 450 organisations in West Sussex through to Community Initiative Fund.

The committee cannot make a grant to cover running costs and is limited to a maximum amount of £2,500 for each applicant so it can be divided among as many organisations in the area as possible.

“As a result of getting the word out there, we have awarded grants to many organisations,” he said.

Applications will be looked at by the four councils in the Chanctonbury area at their next meeting on March 4, so any new applications have to be in by February 10.

“This relates to this financial year. In April, 2015, we hope to start a new financial year, with renewed funds. We’d love to help more people in 2015, and I’m sure there are lots of wonderful and worthy charities or organisations that would benefit from a pre-spring boost.”

Other recently granted applications include Steyning Christmas lights’ event organisers the Steyning Chamber of Trade, a contribution for the University of the 3rd Age, which provides university tuition for local people, and a new shed for Friends of Steyning Primary School.

To be eligible, organisations must be developing services and supporting the local economy, encouraging community growth and self-reliance, and reaching new people. For more information on the criteria and for the application form, visit http://bit.ly/1uxzlYi or call 033 022 22527.