S106 funding is based on developer contributions secured by the council to mitigate the impact of development in Cambridge.
The community facility grants are available to help local organisations with refurbishments or improvements to their premises and meeting rooms, which they will make available to wider community use as venues for community and social activities. This may include upgrades to kitchens, toilets, storage, furniture and other equipment, which will benefit local residents.
To be eligible, project proposals need to help provide more or better facilities within the city itself, be accessible and open for community use and deliverable within around 18 months of a grant award. The size of grant will depend on the nature of the proposal and the availability from S106 funding, which varies across the city.
Cllr Richard Johnson, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “These community facility grants can really benefit local communities by providing greater access to places for groups and clubs to meet.
“Such groups provide valuable services and social opportunities for local people. The grants can also make a huge difference to local groups, alongside their other fundraising, by making their dreams for improving their buildings a reality.”
Meanwhile, applications for public art grants of up to £15,000 each are on offer to community groups, partnering with artists or arts organisations.
The aim is to support new and original, high quality public art projects in Cambridge that involve a professional public artist and engage local communities.
Examples of previously funded projects include: murals; stained-glass windows; original art, music and dance performances; and a display of highly decorated shop dummies. The public art can be either temporary or permanent as long as it has a lasting legacy.
Cllr Anna Smith, Executive Councillor for Streets and Open Spaces, said: “Cambridge is a fantastic city, full of creativity and imagination. I am delighted that this latest round of small-scale public art grants gives local groups and artists a further opportunity to involve residents in expressing our local identity through works of art.”
Both grant funding rounds run until Tuesday 3 April. Application forms, selection criteria and details of funding availability can be found on the council’s website at https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/s106-priority-setting.
This is a competitive process, where the number and value of applications is likely to exceed the amount of S106 funding available. Funding decisions are likely to due to be made by the executive councillors in June.
For more on S106 contributions visit https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/s106-priority-setting and www.cambridge.gov.uk/public-art-grants