Thursday, January 23, 2014

Oakham Town Council Community Grants Available

Its normal for Oakham Town Council to give out grants of public money each year mainly
to those it knows or organisations it runs or helps to run.



It would be nice to see a change but I don't think it will ever happen.

Last year disgracefully Oakham Town Council stopped supporting The Local Citizen
Advice Bureau. Despite that organisation being stretched to it limits with record numbers
of residents needing its services. Another clear indication that Oakham Town Council
is not interested in what matters to the residents of Oakham. The CAB maybe free
to residents but is does cost money a lot of money to run.

Of course "darling Richard" won't be receiving a application from the Oakham Festival
this year as it has finished. Most residents won't notice much of a change because many
many pubs, schools and churches will still put on the same annual events but they won't
have there free advertising in the Festival brochure this year. So need to panic there will
still be plenty to do and see this summer here in Oakham.

Cllr Joyce Lucas is "planning an alternative to the festival a party in the park to celebrate
the first world war." I have a feeling public opinion on this might change that plan to a
much more suitable commemoration of WWI and not a Prom Party.

With no large sum being passed to the Festival this year this leaves a nice sum for
smaller local groups to apply unless Oakham Town Council have other plans.

There was a mention of Arts for Rutland needing money for a party/event at St Georges
Barracks. I hope the town council read their minutes where they all agree to lie to the
arts council about figures. Of course Oakham Town Council should not even consider
this application because the event is outside the parish.

Oakham Town Council Community Grants
Following the approval of its budget for 2014 - 2015, Oakham Town Council has made the sum of £8,000 available in grants for local organisations.

Those wishing to apply for a grant should submit their applications by March 31st 2014.
The application form and the criteria by which a grant may be awarded are available to view and download by using the links below.

If this public money has to be given away, It would be nice to see  applications from proper community groups in Oakham, Schools, Clubs or charities and not just silly hanging baskets and the expensive watering.