Council joins pilot scheme (From Basingstoke Gazette)
When news happens, text BAZ and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Council joins pilot scheme
12:00am Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Andover
TEST Valley Borough Council have agreed to ward based budgets being introduced from this month.
The budgets will be introduced on a pilot basis for one year with aim of encouraging community led initiatives and enhancing the role of borough councillors as community leaders.
Funding for the ward budgets of over £70,000 will be found from the New Homes Bonus reserve.
This fund is created by the Government matching the council tax income for six years from new homes created in the borough.
This money is then available for the council to help meet the needs of their growing communities.
The introduction of ward based budgets is an outcome of Test Valley being selected as one of only 15 councils by the Local Government Association (LGA) to join a prestigious national “Keeping it Real” programme”.
The programme seeks to help councils develop ways in which councillors can better help local people identify and prioritise the needs of their community and empower them to achieve their ambitions as part of the localism agenda.
There will be a maximum allocation of £500 per project.
Groups with ideas for local projects or activities should first engage with their ward councillor to explain their proposal and see what help might be available.
