Rugby council set to make grants available for community groups to help the borough's recovery from Covid-19

Rugby Borough Council is planning to review its annual community grants programme to make sure community and voluntary groups supporting the borough's recovery from the pandemic can get much-needed cash.

One of the key points of the strategy, which looks set to be considered for adoption by councillors next month, is to extend the deadline for the delivery of grant-supported projects from one year to two in order to minimise the impact of ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

Cllr Emma Crane, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for communities and homes, said the voluntary, community and charity sectors had made vital contributions to the borough during the pandemic, and had an important role to play in the borough's post-pandemic recovery.

She said: "Throughout the pandemic, the council has reacted quickly to the many challenges our communities have faced, and our new Corporate Strategy and transformation programme aims to build on this community-led approach across our services.

"Both the council and our communities need to be equipped to deal with the challenges ahead, from post-pandemic recovery to climate change and the financial pressures on local government, and we look forward to working in partnership with the community and voluntary sector to meet these challenges.

"By taking the time now to review our grants, we can ensure our grant funding can support community-led projects which deliver the most benefits to the borough."

In order for the review to be completed, the council intends to invite applications for Community Project Grants and grants from the Rural Development Fund in the summer, with the successful applicants announced in November.

Councillors look set to consider the plans for reviewing the annual community grants programme at next month's full council meeting.