Groups and individuals funded in Friar Park 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.
Friar Park Millennium Centre - Sensory Room
The group were awarded CIL funding of £3,575.30.
The Friar Park Millennium Centre in Wednesbury have received CIL funding to purchase equipment for their recently developed sensory room. The Friar Millennium Centre plan to allow the onsite nursery, families and the Looked after Children Team to book the sensory room for use.
The facility will also be used for the junior youth club which is inclusive to all and the Project will benefit users with additional needs who attend this club and will be offered to the Special Need School that is being built next to the Friar Park Millennium Centre in the longer term.
The CIL funding will be used to purchase a projector, sensory toys, bubble machine, sensory table (with activities) and chairs or beanbags.
Sky Force Football Club Equipment
The group were awarded CIL funding of £975.69.
Skyforce F.C is an organisation recently established in 2017 and the club aims to get youths off the streets and playing football in a fun and safe environment. The club has a diverse membership and is looking to extend their project through further training and will ensure the safety of the children, volunteers and parents in a post COVID-19 environment.
The one-off purchase of essential football equipment will enable the safe running of the club and re-start of training and matches following COVID-19. It is planned that football games will be played across various pitches in Sandwell from Autumn 2020 onwards.
CIL funding is requested for purchase of football nets, footballs, crowd barriers, corner posts and other more minor items to support the delivery of the project.
Wednesbury Bowls Club - new facilities
The group were awarded CIL funding of £1,200.
Wednesbury Bowls Club has received CIL funding to purchase an accessible portable toilet for their bowling green site on Hydes Road which had no toilet facilities.
The club hopes that the new facilities will encourage more people to play and that teams will be able to compete in leagues.
St Francis Church - church hall refurbishment
The group were awarded CIL funding of £2,914.33.
St Francis Church is a hub of the community based in Friar Park. The Church Hall provides space for a variety of activities including Coffee Mornings, Bingo and Quiz evenings, a Bereavement Support Group and Local Community Social Events.
The organisation has been successful in receiving CIL funding to help develop their “Place of Welcome”. They have purchased tables, chairs and light exercise equipment. The furniture will also be used by other community groups at the Church Hall.
The CIL funding will help the organisation encourage more people to join the Place of Welcome meetings and allow other groups to benefit from the new facilities.
Wodensborough Amateur Boxing Club - boxing & gym equipment
The group were awarded CIL funding of £4,144.00.
Wodensborough Amateur Boxing Club are a well-established Boxing Club which has been operating since 2010.The club has an established history of boxing pedigree, with many members winning Midland and National titles.
The club runs 6 days a week and run classes for ages from 7-years old up to 60+ years.
The club has received CIL funding to increase the amount of boxing and exercise equipment they have. The addition of the treadmill, rowing machine and the spin/exercise bike, as well as boxing equipment will allow more people to use the gym for boxing and keep-fit sessions.
Friar Park Allotment Association - additional facilities
The group were awarded CIL funding of £1,500.
The Friar Park Allotment Association has been established for about 100 years. They are a well-established, well maintained Allotments rented from Sandwell Council. The allotment consists of 37 plots which are fully utilised.
Since the pandemic, they have seen an increase in the number of females and children getting involved in their activities. The allotment does not have any toilet facilities which is unsatisfactory for all plot holders and visitors.
The group has applied for CIL funding to acquire an accessible portaloo, ensuring adequate and hygienic toilet facilities for all members and visitors. The purchase of the portaloo will not only enhance the allotment experience for plot holders but also enable the group to organise open days, fostering community engagement and sharing knowledge.
Friar Park Millennium Centre - new ICT equipment
Amount of CIL funding being received is £2,929.49
Friar Park Millennium Centre (FPMC) manages the community centre to ensure that it provides a welcoming, accessible, and safe environment for the local community.
Whilst hosting members of the community as a Warm Space, the organisers have identified that there was a need for IT provision in the local area.
FPMC applied for a CIL grant to purchase laptops, computer desks, office chairs, a printer and laptop locks. These items are in addition to a set of chromebooks that were previously donated to the group. The group will use this equipment to set up a new IT Hub. This IT Hub will provide new opportunities with regular IT training sessions and enable new and existing residents of all ages to have access to IT equipment.
Open Heaven Church - open spaces
Amount of CIL funding received is £4,096.00.
Open Heaven Wednesbury is a local community church within Friar Park that offers a range of activities and services to local residents and the wider Sandwell Area. The group provide activities for children and young people, including parent & toddlers, children’s club, youth group, after school drop-in sessions and mentoring.
The group applied for CIL funding to purchase 2 partition doors and 80 chairs. This will help create a confidential area within the church hall and allow them to support new groups and provide the level of privacy that is required for some sessions.
The new confidential area will allow the group to provide Youth Multimedia training and to start providing sessions for Men’s Mental Health, Wellbeing and Art Therapy.