The first round of grants from the Government’s Pride in Place programme to support local community projects have been awarded by us.
Last autumn the council was awarded £1.5 million as part of the Government’s Pride in Place programme, a £5 billion national scheme designed to support communities across the country by investing in local high streets, public spaces, and community facilities.
As the first grants are awarded, Cllr John Burden, Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, said: “Securing Pride in Place funding was a tremendous success for the Borough and was made possible by working in conjunction with Lauren Sullivan, our local MP.
“We’ve worked with Lauren, community groups, parish councils, and other local stakeholders to award the first round of grants from the scheme, totalling more than £360,000 so far, plus £80,000 of match funding from those organisations benefitting.”
The first projects awarded grants are:
- The refurbishment of the Cecil Road Primary and Nursery School public pool, including a new liner, water filter upgrade, and ventilation system.
- Improvements to the kitchen at the Powerhouse and Hall at St Aiden’s Church, Gravesend. This will allow the church to run a community café, lunch club, breakfast sessions and cookery classes for groups including the elderly and young parents.
- Improved disabled access and essential repairs at Higham Memorial Hall.
- A range of improvements including the installation of a wheelchair ramp at Cobham sports pavilion, and improved safety fencing at the children’s playground.
- The refurbishment of the public toilets at Camer Park, Meopham.
- A communal gardens project to improve the quality and accessibility of outdoor spaces at 21 independent living schemes across the borough, helping older residents stay active and socially connected.
- Installation of barriers to prevent fly tipping on public land across the borough.
- The installation of additional CCTV cameras at five locations agreed with Kent Police: Stanbrook Road, Burch Road, Raphael Road, Perry Street, and Gloucester Road.
Lauren Sullivan MP said: “Local communities struggled for so long during austerity, and this funding represents an important step towards putting that right. It will enable community organisations not only to continue their vital work, but to strengthen and expand the support they offer to residents.
“The investment will also help tackle the persistent issue of fly-tipping, with practical measures such as installing barriers to prevent illegal dumping, alongside increased use of CCTV to identify offenders and ensure enforcement at known hotspots”
Cllr Burden added:
“All of these projects make a significant contribution to the safety and wellbeing of residents from across the borough."
“We are now working through a range of other projects to decide how and where to share the rest of the funding and looking forward to breaking the good news to the successful groups later this year.”