The council has agreed to put around three quarters of its £400,000 community development budget out to tender.

 

The aim is to offer the chance to a wide range of organisations, including 'grass roots' level community groups, to find ways that help local people and groups use their knowledge and skills better when they want to play a big part in tackling the issues that matter most to them in their neighbourhoods.

 

Over the next two years, the funding will be organised on an area basis, split into ten lots. It will be targeted at parts of the city where needs are greatest. These areas include Whitehawk, Tarner and Eastern Road, and the London Road area will be targeted for the first time. 

 

As well as this fund, the remaining £100,000 will be used to support ideas that develop new 'neighbourhood councils'. These might take different forms in different areas of the city, but they will all share one thing in common - they must give everyone who wants to a chance to play a part in making local decisions. 

 

The council's cabinet member for communities, equalities and public protection, Councillor Ben Duncan, said: "Tackling inequality is a priority for us, and I'm excited that groups around the city are being given the chance to bid to us direct for funding to help address local issues in deprived areas.

 

"Engaging more closely with local communities and voluntary groups is key to our plans to deliver services that best meet local needs. That's why we're protecting spending on community development in the next financial year despite severe budget pressures."

 

For details of how to bid for community development funding, please use the link below

https://www.businessportal.southeastiep.gov.uk/sece/opportunity.nsf/fcontent?ReadForm&requesttype=viewcontract&region=&authority=ORG-DNWA-7BRJGL&docid=OS-DNWA-8QUL2D&sd=&stype=&rv=authority&start=1&count=10&contentid=1.003