Community and voluntary organisations are set to benefit through nearly £17,000 of grant funding.
The final round of Community Grants for 2010/2011 has seen 37 community and voluntary organisations receive awards ranging from £75 to £1,500 from Cheshire East Council.
Successful Wilmslow groups include the Human Education Society who run the Animal Sanctuary. They want to install new toilet facilities because the existing facilities are no longer adequate for the number of public visitors and school parties. They have received a grant of £1,500 towards the total project cost of £5,000. They have some of their own funds and they are also applying to other bodies.
Cycle Wilmslow, a community group which promotes cycling in the Wilmslow area, have received £500 so they can produce a cycle route guide and Friends of Handforth Station have been awarded £235 for the cost of the flags which are to be designed by children at Wilmslow Grange School pupils.
Colshaw Estate Tenants & Residents Association have been awarded £430 and Wilmslow Art Group has been given £75 to hire exhibition space at the annual flower show.
In addition Scamps Theatre Company and The Barnby Choir have been granted £250 each towards their annual productions which are considered important to Cheshire East because they make a difference to local residents by enabling them to see local talent performing at reasonable prices.
Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member with responsibility for performance and capacity, said: "The Council recognises the valuable input that voluntary and community groups bring to local life.
"We have worked hard to ensure that the chosen projects improve life opportunities and health for people in Cheshire East.
"Applying for a community grant is very easy to do and I hope that other groups will be persuaded to do so in the next year of funding."
Grants are available to support community, environmental, sports, arts, heritage and play projects. In total, more than £65,000 has been awarded over the year with only one grant being 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.
Click here for more information on Community Grants.
