Local groups shake the money tree for local projects
By Tim O?Connell
With the application deadline lapsing for Hutt City Council?s community engagement fund, various local groups now wait for their respective boards to ponder their case. Residents seeking a grant to develop their local project or event will find out if they?ll receive a slice of council generosity in a matter of days. After an application process of eight weeks, submissions for the fund closed on February 1, now leaving the decision of who gets the money entirely in the hands of local authorities. The fund was established after the HCC made budgetary provisions in their 2007/2008 financial planning to encourage innovation in the community. The stated purpose of the fund is to support community development or local events which have a direct benefit to Hutt City and the people who live there. While a variety of projects are considered for funding, priority is generally given to those that support the core business of the council, as well as helping to build the community at large. Allocations for each community board or committee are solely based on population, with $0.50 set aside for each person living in each of the five wards represented in the Hutt. Locally, the Petone and Eastbourne community boards enjoy a modest share of the overall fund. Those in the Village stand in line to receive part of a $4,575 grand pool, while Eastbourne applicants are up for a portion of $2,367. The final decision is expected to be made at the first board meetings next week scheduled for Petone on February 16 and Eastbourne the following day. For the successful applicants, the grant, however small, will hopefully provide a springboard to making their suburb a better place. For those that are unlucky enough to miss out this time, it will be back to sausage sizzles until the next round of funding later in the year.
