Pace-setting Event for Cotmanhay

Cotmanhay residents will be able to choose how a £10,000 cash windfall can be spent in their community thanks to a pioneering funding event – the first of its kind in the area.

An exciting Community Chest Competition has been launched this month to give local groups and clubs the chance to bid for a slice of the money ‘pie’ . . . with residents able to vote for their favourite funding ideas at a special event in Cotmanhay in September.

Cotmanhay Neighbourhood Management Group (CNMG) is supporting the scheme and a leaflet giving details of the competition has been sent out, with community groups urged to apply for up to £2,000.

The Community Chest is aimed at offering small grants to help voluntary and residents’ groups within Cotmanhay to make changes in their local communities. Grants will be made for new activities which prioritise developing ‘Safer and Stronger Communities’, address general crime or promote neighbourliness. Grants will also be for activities which improve the environment, local residents’ health and well-being, training opportunities, job creation and education.

Ideas could include a residents’ group plan to improve a local green space for use by the whole community, the setting up of a homework club for young people or a programme of craft activities for older people - or perhaps an angling or music club could be helped to buy new equipment, which could then be lent out free of charge to new members.

The leaflet gives details of drop-in sessions to help people put forward their ideas and submit application forms and the Community Chest Competition will be held on 13th September at Bennerley Business and Enterprise College (Bennerley School). At that event, groups will each present their bid in a 3-minute slot and local residents will be invited to attend and vote for the ideas they like best.

For more information or an application form contact Cotmanhay Neighbourhood Management Group, The Enterprise Centre, Bennerley Avenue, Cotmanhay or telephone 01159 309698 and ask to speak to Dawn Watts. Email dawn.watts@erewash.gov.uk.

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