Groups and individuals funded in Great Bridge 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.
The Friends of Sheepwash Nature Reserve - Down The River Project
The group were awarded CIL funding of £2,618.12
Sheepwash is one of the largest nature reserves in the Sandwell Borough and is on land previously used as a tip which has since been landscaped. The Sheepwash is home to a number of pools, with the River Tame running through the site. The Friends of Sheepwash Nature Reserve was set up in 1997 to involve the community to protect habitats, to provide environmental education and to rescue animals.
The Friends of Sheepwash Nature Reserve have received CIL funding to purchase animal rescue and environmental protection equipment for use at the Nature Reserve.
The grant is allowing the group to purchase up to date equipment to enable staff and volunteers to rescue animals with as little distress as possible to the animal. Other equipment will help staff and volunteers deal with contamination as well as removing debris and litter from the site. This will ensure the Sheepwash stays clean, tidy and will help maintain the biodiversity of the site.
The Great Bridge Community Forum - Farley Amateur Boxing Gym
The group were awarded CIL funding of £3,067.68
The Great Bridge Community Forum have been established since 1996. They provide many services including: After School Club, Holiday Play Schemes, Extend exercise group, Advanced Extend exercise group, bingo, social gathering clubs and walking groups to name a few.
The Great Bridge Community Forum have received CIL funding to purchase boxing equipment for their Farley Amateur Boxing Gym project.
The project aims to give young people the opportunity to engage in a fitness/health project using boxing as a way to gain new skills and improve their physical health.
The sessions will be based at Farley Community Centre with 4 sessions per week with different age ranges at a cost of £3 per session.
Toll End Over 50s - Thursday Afternoon Club
The Group were awarded CIL funding of £530.00
Toll End Over 50s is an inclusive group that began in November 2011. The group meets on Thursday afternoons and they provide a range of events such as bingo, birthday parties, entertainment and charity coffee days.
The CIL funding has helped the group purchase catering items, a microphone and a table for the Thursday afternoon club.
The new equipment will improve the provision of hot drinks and snacks that the group offers, as well as helping them with their entertainment facilities. Other groups will also benefit from these facilities.
Jubilee Park Community Centre - Play and Stay
Group were awarded CIL funding of £1,096.91.
Jubilee Park Community Centre offer community led programs and activities to support the residents of Tipton, especially in the Great Bridge Ward. A Play and Stay group have been established at JPCC since July 2019, which has proved very popular. Their current provision is limited by the amount of equipment and number of toys that they had.
The group received CIL funding to purchase new equipment including sensory toys, roleplay sets and creative resources. The increased facilities will allow them to offer additional places for local children.
