Council cash for community projects

Nearly £500,000 of South Shropshire District Council's own funds will be handed out in a cash bonanza for community projects over the next 11 months.

Village hall projects are set to receive the lion's share of the money, which is to be shared between 27 good causes.

Leader of the council Cecilia Motley said: "The district council has already committed to fund almost £200,000 of new projects before the end of March when it will be replaced by the Shropshire unitary authority.

"We have earmarked £14,000 for each of the five main towns in south Shropshire to be spent on projects that will benefit the young people who live in the towns and in the communities that the five towns serve - a total of £70,000.

"And we have put aside £25,000 for a Village Shops Grants Scheme, as well as £70,000 to extend the current kerbside and business food waste collection service running in Ludlow to Craven Arms and Church Stretton.

"On top of that, we currently have funds of £442,000 available to invest in south Shropshire communities."

The council has called on elected members to "bid into" this cash pot of £442,000, asking them to consult the communities they represent.

Bids for over £1 million were received, have been considered in detail by the council's executive committee, and are about to go forward for final ratification.