Grants to help local community groups and voluntary organisations to improve their facilities are now available to apply for from the borough council.

The popular Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Community Infrastructure Fund has reopened for the fourth year giving organisations the opportunity to apply for grants of between £5,000 and £75,000 through a two-stage process.

The fund supports projects that deliver additional community facilities or make current facilities more accessible, user-friendly or financially sustainable. The scheme is designed to enable existing facilities to better meet the needs of their communities, now and in the future, rather than funding new building projects.

Any potential applicants are encouraged to attend an online Meet the Funder session organised by Basingstoke Voluntary Action on either Wednesday 3 June or Thursday 4 June.  Alternatively, applicants can arrange a one-to-one chat with the council’s grants team, before applying, to see if their proposal fits the scheme’s criteria. People can book a place using this link https://www.bvaction.org.uk/training

To date, more than one million pounds has been awarded to successful applicants, enabling improvements to 38 community facilities. Completed projects include a kitchen refurbishment in Sherfield Park Community Centre, improvements to the accessible toilet and kitchen at Basingstoke Shopmobility, re-ridging of the roof at Wolverton Village Hall and a new shelter and extractor fan at Kings Café in South Ham.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Partnerships and Inclusion Cllr John McKay said: “This is now the fourth year of the Community Infrastructure Fund scheme and it continues to make a real difference by helping local community organisations to make vital improvements to their facilities for everyone’s benefit.

“Investing in our community buildings helps to improve access to these important local spaces, supporting valuable services and creating opportunities for new activities. At the same time, we are ensuring these buildings become more sustainable and efficient, helping us meet the borough’s carbon reduction targets. I would encourage anyone interested in applying to get in touch with the council’s grants team to discuss their project.”

More information about the fund criteria and application process is available on the council’s website at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/infrastructureFund or by contacting cif@basingstoke.gov.uk