Grants and Funding

Elected Members in Sandwell have access to four small funding streams for activities and events that help support the residents in their ward and town.

Events and projects across Sandwell are funded via many different budgets: 

• CIL Funding – The Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge applied by the council on new building developments in the area. In Sandwell, 15% of these funds can be spent in the local community. Community Infrastructure Levy Grants of up to £5,000 are available to community groups to enhance their work.  
 
Find out more about Community Infrastructure Levy funding.
 
All applications for grants funded by Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) require a public consultation. View and comment on the current consultations. 
 
• Ward Member Budgets – Each ward member (local elected councillor) has their own budget which they allocate on projects or events within their ward to help support their ward priorities. 

Each ward member has an annual budget of £2,000.

For more information, find your local councillor and contact them directly.
 
• Neighbourhoods Support Budget – The Neighbourhoods Support Budget is available to Elected Members within the town to solve issues they identify which are affecting our residents. Where an issue cannot be solved with the other available funds, the Neighbourhoods Support Budget ensures that we are pro-active in supporting our residents. Each Town has an annual budget of £10,000.
 
• Events - Across each Town there is a small Events budget which is allocated by Elected Members to fund events that bring communities together. Each town has an annual budget of £5,000.

Find more information about running an event in Sandwell.

Sandwell Churches Link - Sandwell Clothing Bank 

The group were awarded CIL funding of £4,955.00

Sandwell Churches Link is a well-established registered charity that focuses on networking, building partnerships, collaborating and co-ordinating partners to work better together.

Sandwell Churches Link have connections with Global Aid Network UK where they have been able to distribute boxes of free clothes (clothes which would of gone to landfill, never worn, brand new clothing, old fashion, faulty) to 25 organisations (who work with people who are in need, vulnerable clients).

The group are receiving more boxes of clothing and therefore need facilities to help distribute the clothes effectively.

The organisation has been successful in receiving CIL funding to purchase items such as clothing racks, clothes rails, shoe racks, storage crates, screen divider panels and heaters.

This has enabled them to sort, store and display the items of clothing and shoes, keep the space tidy, safe and easy access when distributing the items and help more people in need.

St Hilda’s PCC - St Hilda's church hall refurbishment

The group were awarded CIL funding of £2,562.20

St Hilda’s PCC is a registered charity that organises activities throughout the week, such as Coffee and Chat, Zumba, Mini Athletics and many more.

St Hilda’s church hall had not been decorated for over 10 years. Staff and members had noticed that the condition of the church hall had deteriorated. 

The organisation has been successful in receiving CIL funding to purchase materials to help them refurbish the hall to make it more welcoming.  The funding will also allow them to purchase chairs to improve the facilities for users.

This will improve the look of the hall and create a safe place for the community to attend and take part in different activities throughout the week. The refurbishment will also provide improved facilities and welcome new groups to use the hall.

Bearwood Community Hubs CIC-Bearwood Work Space

The group were awarded CIL funding of £4,329.60

Bearwood Community Hub is a well-established group that delivers activities to support a range of age groups and people in the Community at a Church building in Smethwick.

CIL funding has been approved for a Project to set up co-working space on Bearwood High Street that enables local people to start up or grow micro businesses and enterprises and to reduce the isolation that people feel when working from home.

The CIL funding will be used to purchase furniture and items to help set up the co-working space.

Friends of Thimblemill Library - new signage

The group were awarded CIL funding of £1,884.44

Friends of Thimblemill Library is a well-established organisation, founded in May 1966. It aims to improve opportunities for access to learning and services for residents of the area and to promote and enhance the use of Thimblemill Library

Friends of Thimblemill Library has received CIL funding to purchase a new noticeboard which is located outside the library.

By purchasing a new noticeboard, the organisation will notify people that the library is open and will advertise activities The Friends of Thimblemill Library will be putting on. They are looking to attract new members to enjoy all of the facilities at the library. 

The CIL funding has helped supply and the install the new metal notice board.