Groups and individuals funded in Cradley Heath & Old Hill Ward
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.
Sporting Your Futures - Sporting Your Future in Rowley Regis Parks
The group were awarded CIL funding of £4,301.01
Sporting Your Futures have been successful receiving CIL funding to deliver multisport activities in a project aimed at reducing antisocial behaviour by supporting young people to participate in community sports and physical activity sessions in locations around Rowley Regis.
The project is based at Bearmore Park, Britannia Park and Haden Hill Park and activities include Football, Softball, Archery, Quick Cricket, Dodge Ball, Foot Tennis, Tennis, Boxercise, Fitness and Free Play. The activities run alongside indoor sessions.
The project is for 12 months with 40 spaces per session. The CIL funding has allowed Sporting Your Future to purchase a range of sporting equipment and marquees to be able to deliver the sessions.
Midland Film and Art - better access for all
The group were awarded CIL funding of £3,072.00
Midland Film and Art have applied for CIL funding to build accessibility into their new premises.
The new access has allowed wheelchair users, sight-limited and various other people with disabilities to gain access to the building, opening up this facility for various uses.
The new premises will also be developed to provide a stage, 3 studios, a community art space, a meeting room and a landing gallery space which will then be accessible to people with additional needs.
In addition, existing classes such as the life drawing and felting classes will also become accessible to more people. Many of the classes are beneficial for the mental health of the individuals who participate but also allows for the development of new skills and acts as a social space.
Friends of Mary Macarthur Gardens - Friends Maintenance Project
The group were awarded CIL funding of £1,409.47
The Friends Group is voluntary led organisation formed approximately 15 years ago to develop and care for the Mary Macarthur Gardens in Cradley Heath. The Group has 15 volunteers who maintain the gardens for the benefit of the local community.
The organisation has been successful in receiving CIL funding to help towards gardening tools and equipment such as a mower, grass strimmer, pruning saw etc.
The CIL funding will help the group carry out general garden maintenance and keep the gardens looking at their best, for local residents to enjoy.
1st Old Hill Guides - skills for my future
The group were awarded CIL funding of £1,365.66
1st Old Hill Guides is a registered charity that has been supporting girls aged between 4 and 16 in Cradley Heath and Old Hill since March 2023. They run weekly sessions, providing their young people with the opportunity to experience a variety of activities including STEM, crafts, and life skills.
‘Skills for my Future’ is a section of their programme which has been increasingly important for young people with technology becoming an ever-bigger part of the modern world. The group identified that they were limited in their activities due to the lack of technology available to their young people.
The organisation has been successful receiving CIL funding for 6 tablets, tablet cases and a 4-piece set of walkie-talkies.
This has enabled them to run a wider range of activities for the Guides, using the technology to learn new skills. The tablets will allow them to access a variety of resources including interactive maps, online safety, and animation tools. The walkie-talkies will allow the group to run more communication activities and organise outdoor sessions.
The Friends of Haden Hill Estate - Cradley Heath In Bloom
The group were awarded CIL funding of £3,189.94.
The Friends of Haden Hill Estate have received CIL funding to support the Cradley Heath in Bloom project.
The CIL funding will be used to purchase several planters to be placed in various locations in Cradley Heath.
The aim of the Project is to make Cradley Heath High Street more attractive for visitors with a variety of planters and colorful flora. This project is in partnership with WM Police, Tesco and various other local organisations.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church - Faith and Hope Foodshare Old Hill
The group were awarded CIL funding of £3,583.44
Faith and Hope Foodshare Old Hill are a community church group that provide a foodshare every Tuesday which has been running for 10 years. They provide the community with food donated from supermarkets and parish donations.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church applied for CIL funding to purchase and install secure storage shelving to store food and provisions. By installing the secure shelving, the foodshare will have increased facilities to store more food. This will allow them to support more local people in need.
