Co-operative Council boost to Community Fund scheme

Under the new proposals, all of the Council’s 54 ward councillors will take the lead in delivering the scheme in their own area in partnership with the local Town or Parish Council.

Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet is being asked to approve the new Community Fund scheme when it meets on June 21.

A report says that the criteria for allocating the funding will be agreed locally in consultation with the local Town and Parish Council, with the ward member making any final decision on how to spend the £1,000 they will receive to support schemes in their ward .

Some standard criteria will be required which will be developed prior to the scheme beginning.

It is also proposed that £30,000 from the original £99,000 that was allocated to deliver the Community Fund will be used to support the delivery of the free swim initiative for under 16s.

The remaining £15,000 is set aside to support the delivery of relevant community initiatives in line with the council’s “co-operative” approach.

Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member for Co-operative Council and Partnership, said: “One of the aims of this scheme is to build upon the relationship between Telford & Wrekin Council and the borough’s town and parish councils and to recognise the key role that ward members play in their local area.

“We want to build on the idea that a small amount of funding can make a real difference to local people.

“The scheme also links directly with the Sustainable Community Strategy in terms of increasing the capacity of the local community so that people are empowered to participate in local decision making.

“We believe that this scheme has the potential to have a positive impact on communities across the borough and is in keeping with Telford & Wrekin Council becoming a Co-operative Council.”