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The £250,000 ‘Improving Play Spaces Fund’ has been set-up to offer capital matched funding of up to 50 per cent following approval of the 2022-23 budget by councillors on 15 February.
Councillor Ash Cartman, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Corporate Services, said: “I’m proud of our budget promise to back children and young people. One of the ways we’re delivering this is by setting aside over £1m to invest over the next five years to create spaces for toddlers to teenagers to get outside and have a healthy upbringing.
“North Somerset is a great place to grow up but we want to make childhood fairer for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable, disadvantaged, or have special educational or additional needs. We’re keen to take particular care to develop play areas that are inclusive, so we’d encourage those submitting bids to consider this.
“We anticipate that this fund will be popular and as we’re keen to maximise the number of projects that we support across the area, the maximum award for each project will not exceed £20,000. I would like to encourage all town and parish councils and constituted organisations to apply to the fund, no matter how small the ask.
“This project is a great example of us working in partnership with local communities and sharing resources to improve facilities for our residents”.
Applications must be submitted through the council’s website (www.n-somerset.gov.uk/improvingplayspacesfund) by 5pm on Thursday 30 June 2022.
Applications will only be accepted by town and parish councils and constituted organisations. While applications from residents and community groups are welcomed, North Somerset Council asks that these are directed through local town or parish councils so that applications can be coordinated. An interactive map and list of town and parish council contact details can be found on the council’s website (www.n-somerset.gov.uk/townparishcouncils).
All Improving Place Spaces Fund projects must be delivered by the end of March 2023.