Erasmus28

Council seeks local Ethnic groups.

“There are not many ethnic groups within Winchester which is perhaps something that would be prioritised.” That is the claim by the External Funding Officer.

The City Council launched the Community Chest scheme in April 2004, to make funding more accessible to local groups and to meet their priorities.

Local voluntary, community groups and registered charities can apply for a one-off grant of up to £500, if their activities are going to benefit the residents of Winchester. The Chest holds £10,000 for groups in 2008.

27 organisations benefited from the scheme last year, including the ‘Greenjackets’ Scout group, Winchester Film Society and Winchester Basketball League.

Oliver Golding, Winchester Film Society Publicity Officer said: “Grants allow the staging of film festivals and other cultural events that do not have a hope of getting a public performance as they will not make money… however there’s a strange political anomaly between the County and City Council and that is, that one won’t give unless the other does. Great if you can get them both signed up as we did, but if you can’t, you don’t get any funding.”

The Council also benefits from groups that apply. Bernice Heller, Partnership and External Funding Officer said: “the council has priorities; the grant encourages groups to undertake activities that meet them.”