Local People to Have Budget Say
Inverclyde Council is asking local people to come up with ideas on how budget can be spent in their communities.
A new participatory budgeting scheme is being trialled across Inverclyde where up to £50,000 in each of the area’s seven wards is being made available.
Council Leader Councillor Stephen McCabe said: “Participatory budgeting is a way for people to have a say and to vote directly on how local money should be spent.
“Ideas are put forward about how a budget should be spent with people voting for their priorities. “The projects with the most votes get funded.
“These could be anything from healthy eating to youth work but ultimately the process is about bringing people together, getting them more involved in decision making and democracy.”
Initially £350,000 is being made available - £50,000 for each of Inverclyde’s seven wards – for local groups and organisations to apply for up to a maximum of £25,000.
There is another £100,000 for Port Glasgow, Greenock east and central and Greenock south and south west as part of the Community Initiatives Fund to support local projects to alleviate poverty.
By 2020/21 it is anticipated that up to £1.9million of Inverclyde Council’s annual budget will be allocated through the participatory budgeting process.
Councillor McCabe added: “This isn’t new or additional money for communities but it is communities having a say on how existing budgets are spent.
“It marks a fundamental shift in decision making, strengthening the voices of communities in the decisions that matter to them.”
You can only apply for one of our grants if:
• You are based and provide services in Inverclyde
• Organisations must be based in the Council Ward for which they are applying for funding – only one application per organisation/per Council Ward will be accepted.
• You are a non-profit group
• You have a constitution, set of rules or Memorandum and Articles of Association which is dated and signed as ‘adopted’ by an office bearer on behalf of your group
• You have a bank or building society account which requires at least two signatures on each cheque or withdrawal
• You can spend the grant within one year of the date of our award letter
• Your organisation is registered with Inverclyde Council
The closing date for applications has been set for 12 noon, Friday 23 November 2018.
Further information and support can be obtained from the CLD Service by calling 01475 715450 or by e-mailing CLD.Admin@Inverclyde.gov.uk
Completed forms should be returned to jackie.fallon@inverclyde.gov.uk
Participatory budget information sessions:
|
Ward |
Town/Village |
Centres/Hubs |
Day/Time |
|
Ward 1 |
Port Glasgow |
I Zone Port Glasgow |
Saturday 27 October 10am to 12pm |
|
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|
Clune Park RC |
Thursday 25 October 10.30am to 12.30pm |
|
|
Kilmacolm |
Kilmacolm Community Centre |
Tuesday 23 October 6.30pm to 8.30pm with Community Council meeting |
|
Ward 2 |
Port Glasgow |
71/2 John Wood Street |
Thursday 25 October 12pm to 2pm |
|
Ward 3 |
Greenock East and Central area |
Craigend RC |
Wednesday 24 October 6pm to 7.30pm |
|
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|
Auchmountain RC |
Monday 29 October 6pm to 7.30pm |
|
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|
Broomhill Hub |
Friday 26 October 12pm to 2pm |
|
Ward 4 |
Greenock Town Centre |
I Zone Greenock |
Saturday 20 October 1pm to 3pm |
|
|
West End |
Meetings by individual request |
By arrangement |
|
Ward 5 |
Gourock |
I Zone Gourock |
Tuesday 23 October 2pm to 3.30pm |
|
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|
|
Wednesday 31 October 6.30pm to 8pm |
|
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|
Sunday 28 October 11.30am to 1.30pm |
|
Ward 6 |
Greenock South West area |
Larkfield Youth Connections |
Wednesday 24 October 1pm to 2.30pm |
|
|
Inverkip |
Inverkip Hub |
Monday 29 October 6pm to 7.30pm |
|
|
Larkfield |
Larkfield Tenants Hall |
Tuesday 30 October 6pm to 7.30pm |
|
Ward 7 |
Greenock South area |
Grieve Road |
Tuesday 30 October 5.30pm to 7pm |
|
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|
Greenock South West Library |
Friday 2 November 11am to 1pm |