Archived press release

Date Published: 17/07/08

Village services could benefit from grants of up to £5,000

Aylesbury Vale District Council is aiming to protect future access to everyday services at the heart of community life with the launch of the Vital Villages grant scheme.

The pilot initiative will offer grants to help small, rural community groups and businesses, such as village shops, post offices and pubs, improve the viability of local services.

A wide variety of projects could be eligible for a grant of up to £5,000 to help them on their way. Successful schemes could include for example, physical improvements to facilities, the purchase of equipment to enhance services, funding for marketing or staff training.

Applicants must provide projects that benefit their community, demonstrate community support and be able to fund half the cost of the project themselves. In addition, applicants must be from communities with a population of less than 10,000 people.

AVDC is contributing £50,000 to the total fund using money from the government’s Local Authority Business Growth Incentive (LABGI) scheme, which awards grants to councils based on the growth of businesses in their area.

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “The Vital Villages scheme directs funding where it is needed, right to the heart of our rural communities. This funding will provide a lifeline for local services. We hope it will provide a way for our communities and villages to thrive, prosper and grow stronger.”

The closing date for the first set of grant applications is 30 September. There will be further opportunities to apply for grants later in the year.

For further information, including full eligibility details, please call the economic development team on 01296 585657.