Over 50 groups show interest in the Telford 50 Community Buildings and Facilities Legacy Fund
More than 50 organisations have expressed their interest in the Council’s Telford @ 50 Community Buildings and Facilities Legacy Fund that will help community groups regenerate or buy community buildings and facilities.
Community groups from across the borough are putting forward their ideas for their share of a £240,000 grant pot to go towards community buildings and facilities.
Groups had until 9 April to express their interest in receiving a grant.
The scheme was open to community groups, charities, social enterprises, town and parish councils, school or faith groups.
The projects must be based in the borough and benefit residents.
The grants, of up to £20,000, are from the Council’s Telford @ 50 Legacy Fund to mark the town’s 50th anniversary.
Successful groups will have to provide a further 20% match funding, bringing the funds’ total value to almost £300,000.
Applicants will hear in mid-May if they are successful.
Successful projects must be delivered by the end of March 2019.
The £2 million Telford 50 Legacy Fund supports a mix of physical schemes as well as projects that help tackle important social issues and reduce demand on council services.
News on these schemes is published and continuously updated on www.telford50.co.uk/legacy
This smaller grants fund is in addition to £750,000 the Telford 50 Legacy Fund has made available for five town council areas, Dawley, Madeley, Oakengates, Newport and Wellington, with each able to access £150,000 to refurbish or buy community buildings or facilities in their council’s area.
The five Town Councils will also hear of the outcomes of their applications in mid-May.
With match funding, the total value of this part of the Telford 50 Legacy Fund, combining the smaller grants fund and those to town councils, would total over £1.2 million.
Council leader Shaun Davies said: "The refurbishment or purchase of community buildings and facilities is one of the key themes people have told us they wanted the Telford 50 legacy funding to support.
“As such, the response we have had to our smaller grant scheme has been really good, with lots of community groups getting in touch from all across the borough.
“We will be evaluating these and are looking forward to start working with the successful schemes and with the Town Councils on these projects to create another lasting legacy of Telford 50”.
Almost 1,400 people took part in a consultation in summer 2017 to find out what people wanted to see supported as a legacy of Telford 50.
The most popular themes included heritage and tourism, arts and culture and recreation.
People were also keen to see the funding allocated to support community events and projects.
To keep up-to-date with the latest news on Telford 50, please register here and join our dedicated Facebook group.
