In 2022, Saffron Walden Town Council consulted with local clubs, groups and organisations on its community grant scheme.  For many years, the Town Council has set aside a total budget of over £30,000 a year to help and support local groups, charities, organisations and communities and the consultation provided feedback on the current scheme, seeking to ascertain if it was fit for purpose and meeting the needs of the local community.

The Council received over 40 responses from local groups who advised that whilst they appreciated the scheme (and many had received grants over the past few years), they found the process a little complicated.  Others commented they had not been aware of the Council’s grant scheme, indicating that detais of the funding were not reaching those most at need.

We reviewed and acted upon the community responses and on 1.2.23 will be launching our new grant process.  The application form has been revamped, making it easier to understand and we have consolidated our funding pots into one, making the application process less onerous and timeconsuming, whilst maintaining the Council’s need for full transparancy and traceability of grants.

The new application form and guidance is online at:  https://saffronwalden.gov.uk/swtc-grants/ and whilst the Council aims to support applications for all community activities, priority will be given to those working with disadvantaged groups, working with young people, the health sector, addressing social inclusion, sporting activities, charitable events or new, innovative ideas and projects.

A spokesperson for SWTC says “we are extremely grateful to the feedback and comments given by everyone who took part in the consultation which has helped shape and form a grant process to meet the needs of our community both now and in the future.  All respondents to the consultation were entered into a prize draw for their club/organisation and we are delighted that Saffron Walden Cricket Club were the prize draw winners”.  The Cricket Club will receive £300 towards plans for live streaming their matches so that all members and supporters, wherever they are in the world, will be able to watch the cricket.  The recording equipment will further enable analysis of games and the techniques the players are using.

Photo Credit – Walden Local – left to right pictured are David Barrs, Saffron Walden Cricket Club, the Mayor Cllr James de Vries and Finance Committee Chair Cllr Louise Millward.