Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
16 August 2010
07:1765658DDC Information
****
FUNDING FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS - CLOSING DATE APPROACHING
Community groups in Dover District looking for help with projects that can show benefit to the area are reminded they have until 27 August to apply for grants of up to £2,500 from their local Neighbourhood Forums.
Dover District Council and Kent County Council have again allocated funding to the Neighbourhood Forums to give out capital grants to local projects. Successful projects last year included new equipment, small building works, replacement railings, display boards, fencing, and many others.
The closing date for applications is 27 August 2010 and councils recommend sending in application forms as soon as possible. The application process is straightforward and advice and assistance to local voluntary and community groups is available from KCC.
This year, the Neighbourhood Forums are piloting Participatory Budgeting, which involves local people in deciding how the grant fund is awarded. Local groups whose applications are eligible will be invited to attend special 'You Decide' community events in September and October, and to give a three minute presentation on their project. Residents will then vote on how they score each project. All recommendations are subject to approval by KCC and DDC.
KCC is administering the Small Community Capital Projects fund and application packs are available from Anne Charman, KCC Community Engagement Manager or can be downloaded from:
www.dover.gov.uk/neighbourhoodforums/funding.asp
For more information, please contact: Anne Charman, KCC Community Engagement Manager on 01622 696389.
- ends -
16 August 2010
09:5865662"All recommendations are subject to approval by KCC and DDC."
So, what is the point of presenting projects to residents? The faceless politicos will decide as always.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
16 August 2010
12:5865676just a matter of the community group explaining how they will spend the money if it is allocated and how it would benefit locally.
i think it needs our elected coves to make the final decision.
16 August 2010
16:4765697But presentations are already given to the elected coves, so this is an extra, so what is the point if the same faces will make the final decisions? It's tough enough already to get local support so I'm not sure what the benefit is to voluntary groups.
Far better to have a council member on the group committee to help with liaison etc.
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
16 August 2010
19:5965739I noted this statement below in the explanation of Participatory Budgeting.
"Remember - you need to get people to vote for your project - so please encourage your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to attend the "You Decide" events."
So, Participatory Budgeting may appear more democratic but to me there seem flaws. For example, would a project get votes according to merit - or because Uncle Fred's the chairman? What about projects which serve people who may be less able to attend and therefore vote at the "You Decide" events?
I'm sure that those who attend will discern good projects and worthwhile needs; nevertheless the statement above suggests to me that this process has the potential to be not as objective or democratic, as it first appears.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
17 August 2010
06:4265802The Priory Forum are applying for Community Grants - two in fact.
We've sorted ourselves out and a plan of action (not just talking) is expected soon.
Roger
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
17 August 2010
06:5465803Well done Roger.Best of luck
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
17 August 2010
07:3665814Thanks Marek.
Now that we can help the wider community, maybe we can get more support and volunteers to help.
Roger
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
17 August 2010
15:0865899Applying for grants can be very rewarding as in he case of our village hall management committee who in the past year has obtained several grants, some quite large, for much needed improvements to our village hall, now taking place (ie. disabled access and toilet facilities, extra storage and new floor), there will be some more applications towards new kitchen cooker and sink next. It is the only community meeting place for all the village, and for private hire, so will be well worthwhile to have the improvements. Villagers also work hard to raise funds too.
---------------------------------------------------
Lincolnshire Born and Bred
17 August 2010
17:2365929Kath, it can also be intensely frustrating when you know those making the decisions actually couldn't care a jot about what you are trying to do.
A case in point, Dover carnival.
DTC exemplify all that you say. 100% support all the way, couldn't ask for better. Felt appreciated and that the whole council were on our side to make it a good day for all.
DDC, the complete opposite, nothing but hurdles and refusals to fuinding requests, route suggestions, event timing, signage and so on and so on. In fact having spoken to others who went through that mill, it seemed as though some had their own prsonal agenda to disrupt and frustrate the organisations involved. All done with a smile, but the intent was obvious.
To his credit, our beloved DDC leader, Mr Watty, has invited me to speak with him privately on this and other matters, and, as I am in the UK for little while longer I will be taking up his kind offer. Maybe things will change as a result.
Then we have our esteemed yet invisible KCC councillors. If you know yours you might be lucky or they may be away for a couple of months on holiday and therefore you will be unlucky. Before I went to Nigeria the River Scout Hut needed a new roof but they couldn't get any support and didn't know they could ask their local KCC man; well, they didn't even know who he was! If you ever want to know how to mainitain a very low profile ask a KCC Councillor how it's done, they all know. There is one exception, our Keith.
Finally, Burnham-on-Crouch Carnival Association wanted a hall for events and their local councillors got together with them, assigned their Lottery Fund expert to the assocation for the duration and helped them apply for funding. They received £250,000 from the Lottery Fund and now have a superb hall that they use and rent out. Several other grants have also been acquired which, without council officer support, BoCCA wouldn't have had a sniff at.
I could go on but I'm getting angry just typiing this so I'll stop now. In short, Dover councils/councillors could do better for local organisations in this regard.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,024
17 August 2010
22:1665974Sid,
I have believe we have always had mutal respect for each other however your last post needs a little clarification.
Our County member for Dover West covers your area as well as River,attends meetings of Alkham ,Temple Ewell ,Lydden and some times River Parish Councils .I know he has given help to River ,the recreation railings and the proposed One Way System .In Alkham help with lighting and I think a project a t Temple Ewell .
I used to oversee grants and I recall grants for Christmas Lights We treated each town fairly .Those grants now come through the Community grants .
Im not going to get involved with the Carnival .Im sure Cllr Watkibns will tell you what you need to know .
I would just say Officers time costs money .Remember DTC can precept what they like and do not get capped ....
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
18 August 2010
08:4865989Sid - you are right on some of the comments you make - and our application to KCC for a grant, including a very detailed business plan was rejected, despite other bodies thinking they should make grants, this was one we were hoping for. On a technicality it seems.
But grant applications are well worth trying for, for community projects.
---------------------------------------------------
Lincolnshire Born and Bred
18 August 2010
09:5866005Thanks Kath,
I guess it is a matter of approach. DTC took the view they wanted to help, DDC gave completely the opposite impression. They may not have meant to, but a number of organisations have made similar observations to me. KCC are so remote as to be almost as much a lottery than the lottery itself.
That is why I beleive more could be done to assist voluntary organsiations in their quest for fundraising.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,024
18 August 2010
10:1866007Did you speak to me Sid??DTC only have to deal with Dover Town on the District you have to deal with a much wider area .You have to be seen to help every ward .The scout hut I think they did get funding but from what source im not sure .I was approached on the matter .
To look at it in another way .David Hannet is the Deputy Mayor of Dover Im Vice Chairman of the District ,a different ball game altogether .