IN AN ambitious bid to boost quality of life, Test Valley Borough Council has joined forces with local residents and parish councils to identify vital community projects.
The council is helping to facilitate discussions on fundraising options via a series of Thriving Communities meetings to encourage local initiatives.
On May 22, a lively Thriving Communities gathering was held at Broughton Village Hall, attracting more than 70 locals and partners.
Attending speakers represented Barton Stacey All Saints Church, Broughton Community Shop, and Monxton and Amport Village Hall.
READ MORE: Burdock Valley Players is celebrating three decades
This successful event offered a chance for public engagement, allowing residents to influence the region's future based on the experiences and insights from neighbouring communities.
Through the Community Asset Fund, £300,000 was set aside in 2023/24 for up to 13 non-profit community organisations.
This sizable investment was just a fraction of the over £900,000 invested recently by the council's Community Asset Fund.
Many chosen projects stand a chance of receiving a share of the £500,000 Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). The Council secured this award last December.
This fund avails capital grants varying from £3,000 to £20,000, for community groups working on projects to enhance community facilities.
SEE ALSO: Council defends flying Pride flag in war memorial garden as it upsets some residents
This includes local art, heritage, rural green spaces, or any essential community services that will directly benefit locals.
Business grants are also available from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), ranging from £5,000 to £25,000. These are intended for new and existing rural businesses to develop new services, products and equipment to contribute to the local economy.
A spokesperson from Test Valley Borough Council said: "Our Thriving Communities approach gives us the chance to really immerse ourselves in local communities to better understand residents’ needs and talk about the opportunities that are available to them.
"We’ve supported some really worthwhile causes over the past few years and now with the REPF available for rural communities, we encourage organisations to attend future sessions or visit the council website to find out more about how they can apply for funds.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here