Wokingham

Grants for community and voluntary groups are set to be discussed by Wokingham District Council’s decision-making executive later this week (January 26) as part of the council’s overall package of support to Wokingham local voluntary and community groups. At its meeting, the ten-strong executive will consider proposals to allocate funding of grants of £165,830 plus continued funding of £151,330 for Wokingham Citizens’ Advice Bureau. Also up for discussion is additional funding of £55,560 for economic development grants for town and village management initiatives across the district.

In addition, improvements in the efficiencies of the council’s concessionary fares scheme has freed up funds, £30,000 of which has recently been awarded as a discretionary payment to Wokingham district’s volunteer community transport providers.

Annually the council gives grants to a number of local voluntary and community groups in recognition of the considerable work they do in providing a wide range of services to local people. The grants being considered next week include:

· Wokingham Volunteer Centre £16,272
· Wokingham and West Berkshire Mental Health Association £6,500
· Earley Volunteer Bureau £2,500
· Reading and District MS Drop-in Centre £2,346
· Relate £546
· Pakistan Community Centre £2,815
· Twyford/Wargrave Volunteer Centre £1,000
· Alzheimer’s Carers Trust £500
· Berkshire Autistic Society £523
· Vitalise £1,215

All applications are subject to a thorough review against priorities laid out in Wokingham council’s Corporate Plan and the Council for Voluntary Action–Wokingham District (CVS-Wokingham District) acted as an independent advisor during the grants process. The council received 69 applications and a proforma and financial appraisal were used to assess the bids.

“The voluntary and community sector in Wokingham district provides a wide range of services to local communities and their work is vital,” said Cllr Dianne King, executive member for community development. “I hope the executive will agree to continue its support of this sector, with existing grant aid to be maintained at current levels plus inflation wherever possible. If agreed, the allocation of monies to the voluntary sector, plus a recent allocation of funds given to transport operators, shows the council’s increased partnership working with the voluntary and community sector, and in particular with the CVA –Wokingham District.“

Wokingham District Council