£2million in grants up for grabs

Community groups from seven areas across Cheshire East are set to benefit from a £2m pot of funding over the next two years – thanks to the New Homes Bonus Community Fund.

The fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, including town and parish councils as well as voluntary, community and faith groups in Congleton, Crewe, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Nantwich, Poynton and Wilmslow.

The scheme is designed to achieve positive benefits based on locally-identified needs. The priorities for each of the areas have been set by seven geographical award groups, made up of elected members and a representative from the town and parish councils.

Cheshire East Council’s cabinet approved a £2m New Homes Bonus (NHB) fund to assist communities where new housing developments have been built between 2011 and 2017. Each group can bid for a minimum of £10,000.

Councillor Paul Bates, portfolio holder for finance and communications, at Cheshire East Council, said: “This £2m fund is great news for the people of Cheshire East – seven areas are set to benefit considerably to the total tune of £2m over two years.

“The fund will make it possible for local councils and the voluntary, community and faith sectors to apply for projects that can make a lasting difference to their community.”

The Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) has been working in partnership with Cheshire East Council on the New Homes Bonus and is offering free funding support to all organisations wishing to bid to the first round of this fund.

For further information please visit the CVS website. Application forms for the New Homes Bonus are available on the new homes bonus page.

Total allocations 
The total allocations for each of the seven areas – for year one – are:

• Congleton  £328,973
• Crewe   £170,985
• Knutsford   £61,790
• Macclesfield   £121,739
• Nantwich   £162,006
• Poynton   £67,776
• Wilmslow   £86,731