Stoke-on-Trent City Council has today (June 12) proudly announced a new initiative community scheme, the ‘Big Green Fund’.
The Big Green Fund has been created to help tackle fly-tipping, help promote sustainable and environmentally friendly neighbourhoods, and unite residents and communities.
Up to £90,000 is available for residents and community groups to apply for to help clear and rejuvenate local brownfield/abandoned plots of land, unadopted alleyways, an area in a local park or small grass areas.
The fund will cover two successful entries in the north of the city, two in the south of the city, and two in the central area of the city, with a maximum fund allocation of £15,000 per site.
Cllr Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for environment and enforcement said, “We want residents to feel proud of where they live and have something to nurture and grow with. This is a unique opportunity and we are providing the tools to give residents the chance to take ownership of where they live.
“We know fly-tipping is rife in high-density areas, and part of the problem is the unadopted spaces we have dotted across the city. Supporting residents to come together, help clean up the areas they live in, and promote sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to the problem is one of the many initiatives we will be launching over the coming weeks and months. “
“If you are part of a resident association or community group, or you and your neighbours want to work together and have unadopted land in your area, we welcome entries/applications from you.”
To find out more about the eligibility criteria and application process visit – www.stoke.gov.uk/biggreenfund
The entry form will also detail what options are available when thinking about what to do with unadopted spaces, from a community garden in an unadopted alleyway to a flower meadow.
The closing date for entries is Sunday 23 July at midnight.
Cllr Jane Ashworth, Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader said, “As a new administration to lead the city, we are open and honest about the severe financial challenge that we have inherited. Put simply, this challenge means we are scrutinising in minute detail every penny that the council spends and working as efficiently as possible to make changes that are needed.”
“This initiative is a new and prime example of how a small investment can have the potential to reap big rewards for communities. By supporting residents to help them improve their local area, it will also reduce clean-up costs, fly-tipping and waste, and provide clean, green spaces for health and wellbeing.”
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