Telford and Wrekin councillors show their pride in the borough, with £270,000 grant funding
Last year, Telford and Wrekin’s councillors showed their support for their local communities with £270,000 in grant funding for local projects, under the Councillors’ Pride Fund.
Through the fund, each councillor was allocated up to £5,000 in 2021 to support improvements or projects within their ward areas and 100 per cent of funds were allocated through the year.
In total, the Pride Fund provided £270,000 in funding for local projects, community groups and activities across the borough last year, split between the 54 ward councillors, and supported 229 unique projects. In some cases, councillors pooled resources to make a greater impact, or to support borough-wide initiatives, such as:
- Seven councillors together supported Maninplace, who provide accommodation for people unable to access housing and support them to finding a more permanent solution, with £3,750 towards hampers for the homeless at Christmas which included food, warm clothes, hats and scarfs and toiletries
- Seven councillors also gave their support to Telford and Wrekin Interfaith Council, with £3,250 to support the ongoing provision of their weekend food bank and emergency out of hours food parcels
- Five councillors combined £8,000 in funding to contribute to a project to renew and reposition the play park on Wombridge Common in Trench.
- Five councillors also pooled £2,500 funding to contribute towards the installation of a new running track at Ladygrove Primary School.
Councillor Paul Watling (Labour), Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for stronger and safer communities, said: “Last year our Councillors’ Pride fund gave out £270,000, and supported around 230 different projects and causes, with many of the grants attracting match funding too.
“The wide range of exciting projects supported throughout the year, from food banks to football kits, and from sports and play equipment to benches, trees and planting, shows how this small fund can make a big impact.”
Council leader, Councillor Shaun Davies (Labour), said: “Since it was launched in 2011, our Councillor’s Pride Fund has provided almost £1.2m to help communities across the borough and it continues to do so now, more than ever, showing we really are on the side of our residents.
“As our communities recover from the covid pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we support grass roots projects, so for 2022 we have doubled each councillor’s Pride Fund allowance, from £5,000 to £10,000. This means we can support even more causes, and shows that in Telford and Wrekin we really are on the side of our communities.”
In total in 2021, the Telford and Wrekin Councillors’ Pride Fund provided:
- £8,450.00 to support local community-led events
- £69,647.24 to support environmental improvements including improving access to green spaces, wildflower and tree planting, and creating outdoor leisure facilities
- £101,534.00 to provide equipment such as community defibrillators, electric charging points, and sports kit, plus play areas and seating
- £90,368.76 to support other local projects including helping local groups get back on their feet following the covid pandemic, and providing extra activities for local young people
Councillors are encouraged to seek match funding for their projects from parish and town councils, council departments, external companies and community groups, to help the money go further.
Earlier this year, Telford & Wrekin Council announced that the Councillors’ Pride Fund would increase further for 2022, with councillors now allocated up to £10,000 each to support local projects and causes in their areas.
This year’s fund opens for applications later this month, which are made at the discretion of the relevant ward councillor.
