Rushcliffe Borough Council has recently started a new scheme for allocating grants to small local schemes at the request of councillors. Each councillor is allowed to allocate a total of £500 a year to schemes in their community. The scheme aims to provide assistance towards projects - generally one-off items of expenditure - where a tangible outcome can be demonstrated, e.g. youth initiatives, sustainable parish projects, or small improvements to community facilities. Money cannot be requested for political or religious purposes, and there are rules to prevent any misuse of funds and to ensure that projects are not in conflict with the Council's aims.
During the 2007/08 financial year, I have obtained approval for the following grants:
Keyworth Allotments: towards a compost toilet Crossdale Drive Primary School: for a Discovery Trail as part of the "outdoor classroom" Friends of Keyworth Leisure Centre: to help with administration, stationery and postage Keyworth in Bloom: to help with floral tubs and displays throughout Keyworth
What do you think about this scheme?
- Should the budget be increased?
- Is the scheme a good way of giving more freedom to local communities and councillors?
- Should the scheme be abolished, on the grounds that the Council ought to be funding the projects anyway?
- Is the scheme open to suspicion of political favouritism and influence?
- Would you like to nominate another project for the coming year?
Please mail me if you wish to share your opinions.
