A campaign by councillors in Peasedown St John has contributed to the continuation of nearly £60,000 of funding for community projects across the area.
Peasedown councillors Karen Walker and Sarah Bevan
Since last autumn, Independent councillors Sarah Bevan and Karen Walker have been lobbying the council’s leadership for the Ward Councillors’ Empowerment Fund to be extended for another year.
For almost a decade, Bath & North East Somerset Council has operated the fund which has enabled elected representatives to allocate funding to initiatives in their communities.
The fund is open to one-off and new aspects of existing projects that give demonstrable benefit to the community to improve the social, economic or environmental wellbeing of a particular area.
Continuation of the fund was approved at the local authority’s recent budget setting meeting.
Cllr Sarah Bevan (Independent, Peasedown St John) said: “The Ward Councillors’ Empowerment Fund has been make-or-break for so many projects in Peasedown St John.
“It is funding that councillors can allocate quickly to support those in need.
“The Coronavirus pandemic may cause many voluntary groups to close their doors for good over the coming months. Cllr Karen Walker and I are therefore delighted that the council has supported our repeated requests to allocate funding in the 2021/22 budget for the Empowerment Fund to continue.”
Each of the 59 B&NES Councillors have been allocated £1,000 each, which means that a full £2,000 will be allocated to Peasedown.
Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown St John) added: “Allocating just £1,000 to each of the 59 Bath and North East Somerset Councillors gives an opportunity for community initiatives across the whole area to feel a sense of hope and optimism for this year.
“This small, yet significant amount of funding really will make a difference to so many.”
