£145,000 available for local groups in South Oxfordshire

WHETHER it’s money for a new sports hall, church bell or a village noticeboard South Oxfordshire District Council now has £145,000 available for local groups doing building work or making major improvements.

Today (1/10) marks the opening of the council’s capital grants scheme. Local organisations in South Oxfordshire have just six weeks to apply to the council for money towards improving, creating or replacing community facilities. The deadline for applications is November 15.

Grants range from £1,000 which could cover the replacement of a village noticeboard to £100,000 towards a project like a new recreation ground, but the improvements must benefit local residents.

In the last 18 months the council has helped fund more than 35 projects with grants ranging from £1,799 up to £250,000, including sea scout equipment in Clifton Hampden, church bell replacement in Cuddesdon and a new cricket pavilion in Thame.

Crowmarsh Parish Council Playground Action Team successfully applied for a grant of just over £99,000 towards the building of a playground and outdoor gym in Crowmarsh. A parish council spokeswoman said: “Recently we were granted the last of the funding needed for the project to go ahead. Subject to legal agreements, this means we’re aiming for an Easter 2019 opening date, which is great news for the community. Thank you.”

Councillor Lynn Lloyd, the council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “We are lucky to have so many active community groups in the district delivering great projects that benefit our residents and we want to help them achieve their goals. We’ve already awarded more than £700,000 this year but we still have £145,000 available. Groups must get their applications in before 15 November so I urge any groups planning community improvements to get in touch with our grants team and start an application as soon as possible.”

For more information and advice please visit the council’s website www.southoxon.gov.uk/grants, email the grants team at grants@southandvale.gov.uk or give them a call on 01235 422405.