Ellesmere community groups urged to bid for share of £9,000

Community groups in the Ellesmere area have been handed a boost after about £9,000 has been made available to fund projects.

Members of Ellesmere Local Joint Committee say the money will help groups make a difference to the community they serve. The committee is made up of parish and town councillors from Ellesmere, Welshampton, Lyneal, Cockshutt-cum-Petton, Criftins and Dudleston Heath.

It is now looking to receive applications ahead of its next meeting.

The meeting will be held on March 13 at The Boathouse in Ellesmere from 7pm and will give people a chance to find out what is going on in their area and raise issues affecting them.

Committee meetings take place three times a year in village halls and give residents an opportunity to meet their Shropshire Council representatives and local town and parish councillors.

There are also opportunities to raise questions with a member of the area's local policing team.

Councillor Steve Davenport, chairman of the Ellesmere Local Joint Committee, said: "We are looking to allocate this budget at our next meeting and would like to hear from any of the smaller groups that have not contacted us before.

"We have a number of applications pending and would like to hear from some of the smaller organisations that have projects that support people living in the area.

"We are happy to look at requests ranging from £100 to £2,000 for each project."

Projects funded to date total £8,929 and include £270 for a new watering system for the Ellesmere Allotment Group, £430 for Ellesmere Rangers Football Club to install netting, £1,000 towards the purchase of a replacement grass cutter at Criftins Bowling Club and a £546 contribution to replace a carpet at Levi Court community room.

For information and contact Julie Ruler on (01691) 677301 or e-mail julie.ruler@shropshire.gov.uk

Download application forms from www.shropshireljcs.com