All Hampshire County Councillors receive a devolved budget to award to local charities. When the scheme was first started councillors were given £10,000 a year for deserving causes, then it was reduced to £8,000 with the ability to carry over money not spent the previous year. This year the Tory administration reduced the sum to £5,000 with no carry over. Even their own members rallied against that and so the £8,000 was kept, although with no carry over.
The cut-off date for awarding grants is always the last day of February. This year I gave to the following organizations;-
- Asian Welfare and Cultural Association – Eastleigh Mela
- West End Pre-school – Developing the outdoor space of West End Pre-school
- 1st Hedge End Girls Brigade – Swanage Camp 2017
- Asian Welfare and Cultural Association – Furniture for Community Use
- Eastleigh Borough & Romsey MENCAP – Stimulating activities for adults with learning disabilities
- Eastleigh Swim Club – Equipment for new Fleming Park pool
- St James Church – Ovens and hobs for kitchen refurbishment
- Itchen North District Scout Council – Scout District recruitment drive for adult volunteers
- King’s Community Church – Replacement minibus
- St James West End Luncheon club – Weekly “One Community” transport for members to enjoy a hot lunch and conversation with others
- St James School Association – Provision of LED Eco- Lighting in communal areas of the school to demonstrate that the school is environmentally friendly and teaches children about their role in the sustainable future
- 10th Itchen North (West End) Scout Group – Construction of an external multi-purpose amphitheatre to provide usable space for outdoor learning, and shoring up a crumbling/eroding clay bank upon which their Scout hut is constructed