Horsham climate fund hands out first grants to eco projects

Horsham District Council launched the fund in July to enable voluntary and community groups, as well as parish and neighbourhood councils, to work on projects to reduce carbon levels locally and improve the environment.

A council spokeswoman confirmed the successful first recipients are Greening Steyning, Springboard, St Mark’s Church in Holbrook, Sustainable Henfield and Transition Horsham Community Allotment.

Greening Steyning was given funding for the Greening Steyning 2030 Project which will be taking action on a range of environmental issues; from encouraging residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes to starting a Repair Cafe and carrying out a wildlife survey.

Springboard won the cash for the provision of Smart radiator valves to improve the energy efficiency of their building.

St Mark’s Church, Holbrook was awarded funding for tree and bulb planting, food recycling, rainwater collection and ongoing wildlife and local community surveys to review progress.

Sustainable Henfield received the cash for recycling disposable PPE via the introduction of zerowaste bins at strategic points around Henfield.

Transition Horsham Community Allotment was given a grant for the creation of a new accessible site, ‘heritage bed’ and seed cage to address increased demand locally. The group also shared the benefits of a community allotment to inspire more residents to grow their own food which also includes expanding the already successful Seedy Saturday seed swop initiative.

A new grant funding tranche will be available from Monday January 4 2021, the council said. Applications for this tranche will close on February 12 2021, with the judging panel meeting on March 3 2021 to consider the applications.

Fund applications can be related to any of the following themes:

Energy – such as reducing consumption and increasing the use of renewable forms of energy

Water – such as reducing consumption and reducing the threats from flooding

Waste minimisation – reducing waste, reusing resources and recycling resources for example using composting bins

Biodiversity – increasing wildlife, such as the creation of pocket parks and community orchards

Sustainable transport – such as encouraging cycling and walking.

There are three levels of funds available; up to £1,000, up to £2,500 (which requires more information from the applicant) and up to £5,000 (which requires match funding from the applicant).

The funds must be used for brand new projects, which will last beyond the funding provided by the council, and include a commitment to inform the wider community about the project and encourage others to take action, the spokeswoman said.

The council’s cabinet member of the environment, recycling and waste councillor Philip Circus said: “I am delighted that these organisations can now benefit from the funding they have received and they can now make a start on their valuable contributions to building a greener Horsham District.

“That we are able to make these vital funds available to spread awareness and embed action on climate change at a local level is a really key priority for us as a council.

“We have committed to work together towards becoming carbon neutral both as an organisation and as a District, and this funding gives everyone the opportunity to make a difference to improve our local environment and inspire others to take action.

“I am also really pleased that we have a further tranche of money available from January 2021 and we look forward to receiving your applications.”

Rev. Dr Richard Caldicott, vicar of St. Mark’s Church, Holbrook added: “At St. Mark’s we are passionate about looking after the beautiful world God created and we have been looking at ways in which we can develop our church grounds to serve the needs of our community and benefit local wildlife.

“We are therefore thrilled to have been awarded a £1000 community climate fund grant by Horsham District Council, and we hope the Holbrook Community Orchard project will both bless local people and greatly enhance the biodiversity in our area.”

The Horsham District Community Climate Fund supports community projects that have long term tangible climate benefit and provide positive environmental change.

Key aims of the funding are to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the move to the district becoming carbon neutral whilst adapting to changes to the climate and reducing the use of resources such as energy and water, as well as encouraging the minimisation of waste, the spokeswoman said. There are certain criteria that must be met to receive funding. Applications need to be submitted by February 12 2021.

For more information about the Horsham District Community Climate Fund email [email protected] or see https://www.horsham.gov.uk/climate-and-environment/community-climate-fund