Cheshire East Council has confirmed that latest round of Community Grants to be awarded to voluntary and community organisations.
The aim of the grants is to support small scale community projects that will improve the quality of life for local communities and the first round of grants for awarded for 2014/15 were for a total value of £39,078.
Amongst them is a grant for Handforth Royal British Legion of £3000 towards a new roof and repairs to the windows of their club - to enable the organisation to continue to run.
The total cost of project is £28,000 and the community grant will be awarded subject to Handforth Royal British Legion receiving funding to support the remainder of the project.
A grant application for £10,000 towards the repairs was discussed by Handforth Parish Council at their February meeting. Cllr Anthony Harrison proposed that the grant application was supported but this was not seconded so the proposal failed.
At the February parish council meeting, Cllr Mike Thompson asked if the Handforth Branch of the Royal British Legion was a business, as it was registered at Companies House and members of the association confirmed that this was the case. Concern was also expressed by councillors about the long term viability of the British Legion in Handforth and that financial projections of future income would aid the decision making process.
Since then discussions have continued between Handforth Parish Council, the Royal British Legion headquarters and Handforth Royal British Legion whose accountant has supplied more financial information.
Chris Samson, Chairman of Handforth Royal British Legion, told wilmslow.co.uk "We met last Thursday and they requested a breakdown of the last six months trading so they can see whether we have a viable proposition to keep the club going.
"Once our accountant has submitted the figures these can then be discussed, our grant application can be put on the agenda and voted on."
Chris added "We decided at last Thursday's meeting that if the Parish Council didn't give us £10,000, with what we have fundraised - nearly £10,000 - and the possible £3000 from Cheshire East Council we have £13,000 which is enough to get two thirds of the roof done and satisfy the British Legion so they can grant us a licence to continue to trade.
"I was trying to raise £28,000 for the whole roof, the watershed which is on top of the roof and the front windows, which will cost £6000. The main thing is we have got sufficient funds to start the roof.
"I wanted to do it all at once as it will be cost efficient but at this moment in time we are at the hands of the people at Handforth Parish Council and Cheshire East Council."
Wilmslow Show Ltd were awarded £250 towards the publicity for the show in this latest round of community grants. Organisers of the annual show also applied to Wilmslow Town Council for a grant but, as reported earlier in the week, this was declined.
Wilmslow Symphony Orchestral Society were also awarded £250, towards hiring a professional conductor for the concert they are holding in June 2014. The organisation aims to raise some of the funding by ticket sales and donations on the day.
