The total value of expressions of interest received by Eden District Council for its £230,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund is fast approaching the one million pound mark, with over a week to go till the deadline.
The £230,000 pot of money is a one-off fund for sustainable community projects in the rural areas of Eden (outside of Penrith), with minimum awards of £10,000 available. Expressions of interest are welcomed from Parish and Town Councils, charities, village hall committees, community groups and the voluntary sector.
Delegates at the Community Conference launch of the Fund in November at Skelton Village Hall wanted to see a fair distribution of funds across rural Eden. Although 15 projects from the south of Eden have come forward, nothing to date has been received from villages in the north of the District. "Although demand is high, I would strongly encourage community groups to come forward and submit their expressions of interest. It would be nice to see some projects coming forward from other parts of Eden, particularly areas that haven't recently received financial assistance from the Council" said Councillor Mary Robinson, Communities Portfolio Holder at the Council.
In addition, nominations are being sought for the formation of the Eden Community Partnership, a panel which will consider how the money from the Fund is to be allocated and make recommendations to the Council's Executive.
The deadline for submitting expressions of interest to the Council is 16 January. For more information about the Rural Infrastructure Fund and how to register your interest or to nominate someone to be a member of the Eden Community Partnership visit www.eden.gov.uk/ruralfund or telephone 01768 817817.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Contact: Deborah Garnett, Senior Communities Officer at Eden District Council, Telephone: 01768 212268.
