03.01.13
Community Challenge Fund to fund innovation in service delivery
A new Community Challenge Fund has been launched by the Highland Council, investigating new ways of delivering local services.
The Fund will provide £1m each year for community projects that deliver the same level of service at a lower cost, a higher level of services for the same cost, or reduce the costs for maintaining premises by taking on maintenance and running costs going forward.
Securing funding from other sources can be used to support an idea, but is not a requirement of the challenge. Three deadlines for expressions of interest are February 1, May 1 and September 1, and applications can be made here.
Initially the money will be transferred from the council’s General Fund, and maintenance and replenishment of the Fund will be dependent on the level of savings generated from projects and will be considered as part of the council’s annual budget process.
Cllr David Alston, deputy leader of the council and panel chairman, said: “The Community Challenge Fund takes forward our very clear commitment to local communities. We believe that they are best placed to understand local needs and many have ideas about how services can be better delivered under local control.
“We are now providing communities with the opportunity to make these ideas a reality – and we are backing our commitment with a substantial budget. I know that the response will demonstrate the creativity and commitment of community organisations across the Highlands.”
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