Westbury Area Board has changed the process of awarding grants to the community from Wiltshire Council as more groups are applying for grants.
It means that the groups who apply may not receive the whole amount asked for, but will receive a proportion instead.
Russell Hawker, chair of Westbury Area Board explained, “For the first time, we have enough applicants at the start of the financial year that if we granted all of the applications in full, we would virtually wipe out the fund for the year.
“We are worried about what we would do for the rest of the year’s applications. In the past we would grant the money in full if it qualified and hoped that more applications would come in during the year to get all the money granted. This year, it has started the other way around and we are hoping we have enough money left to continue.”
The Westbury Area Board was given a grant budget of £32,800 this financial year and will hand this out to local community groups in need. There were seven applicants at this first meeting totalling £21,942 worth of funding.
Leigh Park Community Centre asked for a grant of £979 towards a bouncy castle that they could use during open days to bring interest to the centre.
They were awarded £494.50 on the basis that the bouncy castle is free to use by the public.
Westbury Rugby Football Club asked for £5,000 to go towards the refurbishment of their clubhouse. They were awarded £1,000 on the basis that they hold a free rugby festival that includes taster sessions.
Larkrise Community Farm asked for £1,875 to go towards a new sensory classroom and received £937.50, without conditions.
Westbury United Football Club asked for £4,000 towards equipment for ground maintenance for pitch up-keep. They received £1,000 on the condition that the community can benefit by offering a training session for children at Matravers School, or a free home game for under 16s.
However, these conditions could not be met as the club cannot teach youth sides as they are not DBS checked, that is the youth side of the team who is not joined to Westbury United. Also, they already offer free matches to unders 16s.
Greg Coulson, chairman of Westbury Utd is to discuss alternatives with the council in order to receive a grant.
Coulston Village Hall asked for £4,800 towards the refurbishment of the village hall. They received £1,852, which will pay for the refurbishment of the current inadequate kitchen area and the appliances.
Heywood Parish Council asked for £288 towards a new parish council noticeboard and was awarded the grant in full.
Edington PCC Parish Hall asked for £5,000 towards disabled toilet facilities at the hall for the local community who use the space. They were awarded £2,500 without conditions.
