Thursday 9 July 2009

LIMITED TIME LEFT TO GET COUNTRYSIDE IMPROVEMENT CASH

Local communities and organisations across Oxfordshire are reminded that they have the remainder of this year to bid for a slice of a £50,000 grant to improve access to their local countryside before the scheme is changed in 2010.

The Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment and Oxfordshire County Council's Countryside Service recently completed the second year of their 'Places for People' scheme, with nineteen projects receiving grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 - coming to over £75,000. Applicants have included local councils, the Chilterns Society, Cotswolds AONB Wardens, and local user groups.

Each of the projects has to have the farmer/landowner's permission in place before any grant is given. They are assessed by Oxfordshire County Council to ensure that it meets one or more aims of the Oxfordshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan and the County Council also provides the additional 10 per cent third party funding contributions and guidance.

Enlisting local organisations: Councillor Rodney Rose, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Growth and Infrastructure, said: "Local communities and organisations are often best placed to identify key improvements that can make a difference to people's use and enjoyment of their local countryside.

We are pleased to have been able to support these groups over the last two years and hope that other communities will make applications in the coming year to make the most of the funds in the time that is left. I would urge people and organisations across Oxfordshire to consider making an application soon."

Applications can be made at any time and are considered at one of four annual Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment Board meetings. The next deadline for applications to TOE is July 30 and then October 15.

More details are available from www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/placesforpeople

For more information about the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment please call Fiona Danks, Administrator on 01865 883488 (Wednesdays and Thursdays only


Posted 9th July 2009


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