£100,000 boost for 19 community projects across Teesdale

SOME 19 community projects in the dale have tentatively been awarded more than £100,000 in funding.

The projects which could potentially get cash from Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) include an employment programme, a theatre programme for young people and a community cafe for older people.

Organisations that may benefit from the cash range from Age UK County Durham and Teesdale Day Clubs to Teesdale YMCA and Gainford Scouts. More details of the projects will be revealed at a later date.

The money comes from the partnership’s annual budget provided by Durham County Council.

The allocation was approved during a TAP board meeting in November but still needs to go through a final technical appraisal.

Some £10,000 in funding is still up for grabs.

In all 31 applications were received by the partnership, of which three were found to be ineligible for funding and nine applications lost out because the fund was over-subscribed.

TAP co-ordinator Adam White said: “It was a really competitive process and there were some really good projects.” He added that the partnership would try to help those groups which lost out to find cash elsewhere.

Many of the projects approved by the board have matched funding to the tune of £177,189, either through grants from other funders, in-kind organisational support or volunteer time.

“That is exceptional,” Mr White said.

Following the board’s approval, the projects will be subject to a technical appraisal by Durham County Council to ensure they meet all funding criteria or that there is no duplication of existing county council provision.

The co-ordinator said: “They should go through unless there is something massively wrong, but looking at the projects we have got, I don’t see that happening.”

Groups which pass through the technical appraisal should receive confirmation early next year. All of the projects fall in the area action partnership’s three priorities for the year. The Hub (£5,744), in Barnard Castle, and Bowlees Visitor Centre ((£9,465) may receive grants under the employment, enterprise and training priority while Teesdale YMCA (£5,726), Teesdale Association of Day Clubs (£7,500) and Age UK County Durham (£11,589) could receive cash under the older people priority.

Awards under the children, young people and families priority could be made to Durham County Council Leisure Services (£6,500), Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (£6,921), Teesdale Sailing Club (£6,000), The Bowes Museum (£5,000) and Turrets Youth Theatre (£5,000).

Another £20,841 was dished out through the partnership’s youth fund to The Hub, Gainford Scouts, Teesdale YMCA, The Bowes Museum, Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services and Turrets Youth Theatre.

Along with overseeing the allocation of the cash from its annual budget, Teesdale Action Partnership also administers the neighbourhood budgets of the dale’s six county councillors.

Mr White urged groups to apply for a further £10,000 in funding that is available for projects that are aimed at mitigating the impact of welfare reform.

For more information contact Mr White on 03000 260817.