Voluntary and community organisations are being invited to apply for grant funding by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to ensure that their important work can continue. The grants for the 2008/2009 financial year are part of the Council’s ongoing support to the borough’s voluntary sector.

The Borough Council provides grants in a range of ways: Small Grants under £5,000; Capital Grants (including grants under the Surrey Community Buildings Grant Scheme) which are paid to meet the cost of major projects such as building works; and Core Funding for organisations providing services in partnership with the Council and which give guaranteed funding for three years.

Last Year the Council awarded £445,000 in grants to the voluntary and community sector as well as providing additional financial support through rental grant subsidy, discretionary rate relief and the Councillors’ Community Awards.

Cllr Allen Kay, Executive Member for Partnership, said: “The work of the voluntary sector is very important to the quality of life of large numbers of residents in our Borough, and often goes unnoticed by the rest of us. The Borough Council wants to support and recognise the work of the voluntary sector, and these grants are a major way of doing that.

“To ensure they provide benefit to the residents of the Borough, grants are awarded to organisations that meet the community's priorities and those of the Council. Once again, funding for the larger organisations is given over a 3 year cycle, allowing them to plan ahead”.

As well as assessing contribution to the quality of life of the community, the Council will also consider the organisation's financial reserves, alternative sources of funding, future business plans and any other support provided by the Council (e.g. concessionary rents, discretionary rate relief) in determining the level of grant.

Cllr Kay added: “Although the budget is significant, we realise that it can never be enough to fulfil all of the applications which we receive. I pledge to ensure that the applications process is as fair as possible, so that Council tax payers’ money goes to where it will make the most difference.”

The deadline for the receipt of completed applications is Friday 7 September 2007. Decisions on the applications will be announced in December and successful applicants will receive funding in April 2008.