Local environmental projects could get a £5,000 boost from the proceeds of litter fines.
Swale Borough Council has reopened its environment grant scheme, to support community projects and organisations that help deliver on environmental objectives.
The £15,000 fund is paid for from the income from littering and fly-tipping fixed penalty notices.
This is the second time the fund has been open, and the previous scheme offered up to £1,000 per project from a pot of £5,000. This paid for projects such as beach cleans, wildlife surveys, litter bins, planters and supporting and waste education schemes for children.
Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:
“Whilst we’d obviously prefer people not to drop litter or fly-tip waste, it’s satisfying that the extra money we receive from the fixed penalty notices is used to help improve the local environment.
I’m pleased that we are able to announce that the budget available for Environment Grants has been increased to £15,000, and the maximum application has been increased to £5,000.
In June the council declared a climate and ecological emergency. Making space for nature is priority of our action plan. We want the money to help local community groups or charities improve the local environment in some way, and I’m looking forward to seeing what projects we can support.”
The maximum grant for any one project is £5,000 and only one application can be submitted by an organisation in each financial year.
Swale Borough Council
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