£103,145 approved for Big Society projects in West Sussex
NINE ‘Big Society’ projects across West Sussex are to be championed by the County Council.
The authority has agreed for £103,145 to be spent on the successful applications, each of which will be of significant benefit to the communities they serve.
The applications approved for funding are:
• Sheddingdean Primary School - £30,000 towards levelling the land and putting up secure fencing at the new school playing field in Burgess Hill. It will enable pupils to benefit from a balanced outdoor physical education programme, promote healthy lifestyles, and provide facilities for hire to community groups such as football and hockey clubs.
• Growing Artists - £20,000 towards assisting the creative therapies scheme for vulnerable people at the Old School House in Shoreham.
• Fernhurst Recreation Ground - £15,000 towards installing a new football pitch, forming a hub for the village and increasing both male and female membership of the sporting facility.
• Arundel Bowls Club – £9,000 towards expanding its car park and improving access for visitors with disabilities.
• Milland Community Shop - £7,500 towards making the venture more sustainable.
• Olympian Outreach - £7,245 towards establishing a Samaritans outreach service in the Bognor Regis area.
• Woodlands Rec - £5,800 towards creating an outdoor gym at the Woodlands Recreation Ground in Rustington.
• SEWCREST - £5,600 towards purchasing a mobile salt spreader to help a co-ordinated group of volunteers’ clear snow and ice on rural roads in the Lavant Valley.
• East Wittering Village Hall - £3,000 towards updating the venue, to make it more accessible to vulnerable groups.
Michael Brown, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said: “We feel confident that satisfying these requests for funding will make a long lasting difference to these communities.
“The success of these bids for funding reflect shining examples of the aspirations, initiatives and commitment of local people to play a significant part in the future well-being and prosperity of their communities in a sustainable way.
“We look forward to the day when each of these proposals become a reality and residents start to see the benefits.”
Each decision is subject to the County Council call-in period.
Earlier this year, the County Council agreed to spend £197,250 on 13 different Big Society projects.
The authority has now spent £239,295 of its £240,000 Big Society Fund allocation for 2011/2012.