Community groups in Winchester to get share of £25,000 grant
Twenty-one groups and organisations serving the people of Winchester have applied for their share in a £25,000 community grant, available from the City Council.
At a Town Forum meeting on Tuesday evening (January 16) committee members discussed how to divide the funds that will be allocated in the 2007/08 budget.
Groups within the Winchester Town area, including the Citizens Advice Bureau, Trinity Winchester, and the organisers of the Hat Fair, are each to receive substantial amounts.
Other benefactors include the Winnall Community Centre, the King Alfred Youth Activity Centre, and Home Start Winchester.
Chair of the Town Forum, Cllr Peter Rees said: "I am delighted that we have yet again been able to support these very worthy voluntary groups and projects in the Town Area. Their activities will benefit everyone in the District.
"They all make a very substantial contribution to the quality of life in Winchester and they are used by many residents.
He added: At a time when the overall Council budget for 2007-2008 is under close scrutiny, it is a great pleasure to ensure their work receives the recognition it deserves."
In recent years the Town Forum split the full amount between a small number of groups, that provided services to residents of the town area only. This approach has changed so that now all applicant organisations that clearly benefit residents of the town area will receive a grant of some size.
The funding for these groups has been recommended to cabinet and is subject to council approval in February of the Town Account grants budget.