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.

Wednesbury 2000 - Opening up Wednesbury 2000

The group were awarded CIL funding of £4,200.00.

Wednesbury 2000 have received CIL funding to bring a local and historical building back into use. This will enable other local organisations to utilise the projects and facilities that Wednesbury 2000 offer.

The CIL funding will allow for completion of repairs to the fire exit stairwell from the ground to the first floor. This will enable other floors of the building to have safe access to support development and usage in the future.

By opening up this space it will give local individuals, businesses and organisations affordable space to deliver their services in Wednesbury Town Centre.

The Parish of West Bromwich, St James and St Paul
(Known locally as St James Church) - Youth club and Media suite project

The group were awarded CIL funding of £3,917.05.

The Parish of West Bromwich, St James and St Paul (known locally as St James Church) were awarded CIL funding to enable the group to offer a new and innovative multi media suite for use at their youth club.

The equipment will be available for free use by youth club members. The equipment will teach users to produce videos, create and edit music to a professional standard opening up potential career paths.

A number of volunteers (several of whom have extensive musical skills) will provide support, advice and backing tracks.

The youth club will also be able to purchase other technological equipment and traditional youth club equipment offering young people an interesting sociable place.

Lets Dance Again Community Workshop

The Group were awarded CIL funding of £4,414.94.

Let’s Dance Again started in 2021 supporting the elderly in Sandwell, who were suffering with isolation as a result of Covid-19. The group have expanded rapidly and now operate from Wednesbury Town Hall, with weekly Monday Coffee Mornings and monthly Thursday Afternoon Shows, which provides fish & chips and a live entertainer.
The expansion of the group meant that they were in need of catering equipment. The group have also consulted with their members and there is a demand for basic computer, ICT skills. 
Let’s Dance Again applied for CIL funding to purchase 2 laptops, 8 tablets and a printer to support their ICT skill training sessions. In addition the funding will purchase water boilers, mugs, storage boxes and a toaster for their Coffee Morning and Thursday Afternoon show.

Wednesbury Cultural Hub Play Group

Group were awarded CIL funding of £2,633.52.

Wednesbury Cultural Hub is a newly formed group that started in January 2023. Their aim is to provide a community space for parents and their children from diverse backgrounds. The group want parents to be able to socialise, improve their own mental health and wellbeing whilst their children can explore, develop confidence and learn to interact with others.

Wednesbury Cultural Hub Play Group applied for CIL funding to set up a play group at Hill Top Community Centre. This funding will allow the  group the opportunity to put on a weekly parent and toddler group for the parents and children.

The group received CIL funding for items such as baby equipment, toys and learning resources.