Village and church halls across Hambleton are among 29 groups to receive cash awards from the District Council’s £125,000 ‘Making a Difference’ fund.
Members of the authority’s Cabinet this week (Tuesday October 18) approved grants to the groups – which ranged from £12,650 for kitchen refurbishments at Dalton Village Hall to £2,500 for the renovation of steps at West Tanfield and the Angel Community Festival in Osmotherley.
The funding stream – now in its second year – was established for schemes that ‘make a difference’ to Hambleton communities. Each of the five market towns and the surrounding areas – Northallerton, Stokesley, Thirsk, Easingwold and Bedale – takes £25,000 with elected councillors choosing which schemes can be helped.
Cash for the scheme comes from an ongoing cost saving exercise by the Council that members have agreed to reinvest in the community. Each scheme must meet one of the council’s key priorities – supporting economic growth, improving health and wellbeing, improving access to services and supporting a changing population. And each must show that there is community involvement and represents value for money.
“The Making a Difference grant scheme sees us put this money back into community projects which help improve life in our neighbourhoods” said Leader of the Council, Councillor Mark Robson.
“And most important of all it must be making a difference to people’s lives – whatever the scheme it must show community spirit and improve the environment they live in.
“A small amount of money can make a big difference to communities.”