South Ribble Council has awarded £500,000 to 21 local groups and projects across the borough.
AdvertisementThe council allocated the cash from council underspend and cash reserves last month, and the teams are now distributing the funds.
The projects bid for funding through the Leisure Local Community Fund and Boost Fund Plus schemes, developed by the council to help local pandemic recovery.
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Councillor Paul Foster, the leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: “I am absolutely ecstatic that we have been able to open up £500,000 to aid local groups and projects.
“As a council, we use public money to fund our services, and I’m delighted that through efficient spending and using our reserves, we are able to put public money where it’s needed the most – in the hands of our communities.
“We saw many local groups and projects come forward with incredible ideas and aspirations for the future, and it’s at moments like this I am so proud to be from South Ribble.
“I cannot wait to see the funding put to use and the benefits of community funding for the borough.”
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The Leisure Local Community Fund aims to ‘widen opportunities’ for people to ‘get active’, create more areas for community use, and help people make healthy lifestyle choices.
Community groups request The Boost Fund Plus to benefit their local area.
Both schemes are part of the drive to invest in local communities, develop and improve existing facilities and community spaces and give more autonomy to residents.
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Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder, the cabinet member for communities, social justice and wealth building, said: “There is a real mix of projects and groups who have been successful in their bid for funding.
“I’m in no doubt that the 21 projects across the borough will make an incredible difference to the local community.
“We’re a council that invests in our communities, listens, and takes on board exactly what our residents tell us we need to look at, support or invest in, and it’s a really proud moment to announce the £500,000 investment.
“Our community groups are the beating heart of the borough, and to see such commitment is amazing, and I cannot wait to see them all get started with their newly-funded projects.”
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For more information, visit – https://www.southribble.gov.uk/communityhubs
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