Cheshire East Council has announced that despite the challenging financial climate, community and voluntary organisations are set to benefit from more than £23,000 of grant funding.
The Council recognises the valuable input that voluntary and community groups bring to local life and the final round of Community Grants for 2011/2012 has seen 44 groups receive awards ranging from £75 to £3,000.
These grants are available to support community, environmental, sports, arts, heritage and play projects. Only one grant can be awarded to each organisation per financial year.
Applications are judged on a number of criteria and they should be able to display that their project: enhances the quality of life for Cheshire East residents; increases involvement in the community; demonstrates the potential to be sustained in the future; and that it can attract more participants.
Local organisations to benefit from the grants include Wilmslow Guild Friday Art Group, who were awarded an events grant of £75, and Cheshire A Cappella received a grant of £372 towards the costs of safety rails for portable stage risers.
Hilary Pinnock said "Of course, we are indebted to the council for their continued support of Cheshire A Cappella and appreciate their recognition of the educational and fun aspects that the chorus brings to its local community. We haven't quite hit our target of amassing 50 singers yet but we're close, attracting women from all parts of the local area and from all walks of life.
"The stage risers will enable us to sing over the heads of the singers in front of us and so maximise the resonant blend output to the audience. This grant will go towards the side safety rails which are attached to either end and so a welcome health and safety measure."
Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member with responsibility for performance and capacity, said: "These grants show how Cheshire East Council is working with other groups to improve community life.
"Over the last year a large number of organisations have received funding which has enabled a wealth of community activity to take place.
"Funding is in place for the next financial year and I would advise anyone interested to get in touch to find out more."
For more information on Community Grants visit the Cheshire East Council website. The next deadline for applications is March 30th.
These decisions are subject to the standard call-in period.
