Charities and organisations across Waveney received a
welcome boost to their funds, with the announcement of Waveney
District Council’s grant allocation for 2008-09. Thirteen new, or
previously unsupported organisations have benefited this year and
it is hoped that a revised Grants to Organisations Scheme will
enable many more to benefit next year.
Waveney District Council’s grant aid support is designed to help
small registered charities and voluntary sector organisations to
deliver projects that meet the needs of the community. The Council
considers applications for grants that fit the set aims and
objectives of its Strategic Direction, and achieve its vision of
safe, clean, attractive and prosperous environment for our
communities.
A large number of new, or previously unsupported organisations were
successful in obtaining funding this year. Among this group of
beneficiaries are Tutti (Everyone Together), Waveney Crossroads,
Greenfingers Productions, the Lowestoft Signing Choir and Beccles
Royales Gymnastics Club.
Tutti is a new organisation involving young musicians living in
rural Waveney, who promote the physical, educational and emotional
benefits of musical activity and strengthen rural community
cohesion. Greenfingers Productions organise multi-sensory events
for people with profound and complex disabilities. Waveney
Crossroads improve the lives of carers by giving them time to
themselves via respite care and Lowestoft Signing Choir are raising
awareness and promoting a positive image of the deaf community.
Beccles Royales Gymnastics Club will receive funding to develop
volunteers and coaches.
Organisations benefiting from Service Level Agreements with the
Council for support over three years include St John’s Housing
Trust, North East Suffolk CAB, The Crossing, Waveney Women’s Aid,
Halesworth Playing Field Association, Waveney Community Forum, DIAL
and Bungay and District Sports Association.
Councillor Colin Law, Deputy Leader of Waveney District Council
with responsibility for Community Cohesion said: “It is pleasing to
see such a diverse group of charities and voluntary sector
organisations benefiting this year. The fact that 13 new groups
were successful is really encouraging - it shows such groups are
thriving in Waveney and truly deserve our support.
“The Council undertook a review of its Grants to Organisations
Scheme this year and changes were proposed to ensure that this
process is run efficiently and that the Council has greater scope
to award grants to a wide and diverse range of organisations in the
future. Under this new scheme more organisations should benefit, as
funding rounds in April and October will enable access to funding
over the whole year.”
From April 2008, all future Service Level Agreements will be cash
limited, with the same amount of funding being paid across three
years and from April 2009, community grants to organisations will
be limited to an upper ceiling of £2,000 and will be allocated
through two funding rounds instead of one.
Local Area Forum Grants are also available, with funding allocated
to each area on a population basis. Groups no longer have to wait
for an Area Forum meeting to take place to apply for grants of up
to £500. It is hoped this will encourage more groups to apply and
provide increased support for local initiatives. Those that
benefited in 2007-08 included Rainbow and Brownie groups, local
sports clubs, out of school and activity clubs, parent and toddler
groups, crime prevention initiatives and community
projects.