Local Members' Grants Confirmed.

At the Parish Council meeting on Monday (May 22nd) borough Councillor Hugo Deynem was happy to confirm that the level of the discretionary grants allocated to Borough Councillors had been set at £5,000 per councillor. That means that Councillors Deynem and Leather have £10, 000 available for projects within the Gowy Ward, of which Tarvin is a part.

The money can be allocated to support "small to medium community driven projects where projects or supported activity make a positive change in the local area and/or benefit the wider community" In the past, both Councillors have given generous grants to local organisation such as the Community Centre and the Summer Fete.

Being public money, the rules governing the awards are quite strict, for example, organisations should have a constitution and a bank account, and the money can't be used for political purposes. As you might expect, all organisations must show that they meet CW&C's policies on things like financial probity, equality and diversity. While an eleven-page document of conditions may seem a little daunting, a closer inspection shows that they are there to ensure that all qualifying organisations have an equal chance to succeed in their application, and that the system is open and transparent.

If you have a local project that you think might benefit then contact RuralLocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk for an application form. Or you can speak informally to either Hugo Deynem hugo.deynem@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or John Leather john.leather@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk who will be delighted to advise.

To see the complete guide notes, click here