New round of council funding to boost community projects

Local groups and organisations are being invited to apply for council funding to support important community projects.

Over the past five years South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has awarded almost £1.25 million in grants for Locally Important Projects (LIPs) and helped to fund more than 90 community initiatives.

The council has announced the next round of funding and is keen to receive applications which add to the quality of life in communities across the district.

Council Leader, Councillor Giles Archibald, said: “I am delighted to announce that we are now inviting new applications for LIPs funding. These grants support many excellent projects which benefit our local communities and neighbourhoods.

“LIPs money has already been spent on a wide variety of initiatives such as improving playgrounds and green spaces, supporting important renovation and conservation projects, restoring footpaths, modernising community centres, making cycling more accessible, helping to install high speed broadband in rural areas and many more.”

Earlier this year SLDC approved 19 applications to receive a share of £229,000. The awards ranged from £1,000 for a community environment action plan up to £35,000 towards the refurbishment of a community centre.

The council is particularly keen to receive LIPs applications from more deprived areas of the district, initiatives which support disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, projects which help to alleviate social isolation and initiatives which promote low carbon and renewable energy.

Projects which protect and enhance the environment, help individuals and communities to be more resilient and promote better health and wellbeing are also key SLDC priorities.

New applications are welcome from 5 November and the closing date is 11 January 2019. The successful projects will be notified next spring.

“LIPs grants allow community groups, clubs and organisations such as local town and parish councils to invest in a projects which make a real difference. The money helps them to achieve positive results. We know that the funding has made a big difference to some projects which were struggling to get off the ground to become successful,” added Cllr Archibald.

LIPs money is allocated through the New Homes Bonus, where government matches the council tax raised on new homes and properties brought back into use.

For more details about LIPs funding, eligibility and to apply online, please visit the SLDC website:www.southlakeland.gov.uk

www.southlakeland.gov.uk/your-council/grants/grant-funding-for-organisations/