New system for Big Society Fund cash

Around £600,000 was awarded in the 2011/12 financial year to schemes put forward by communities all over the county ranging from youth provision to local cinemas and facilities for elderly people.

The principle of the fund is that organisations bid for start-up funding to help set up a new venture. The basic criteria stands that bids should show they meet a recognised community need but now offers greater local say over priorities for funding.

From 2012/13 the council is proposing dividing up the available money by its 74 county councillors meaning that each councillor will have £10,000 to which local community groups will be able to bid.

Councillor Louise Chapman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Voluntary Sector, said: “This system will mean that every single part of Oxfordshire gets an equal share of the available cash.

“There can be no doubt that the Big Society fund has been a successful concept and our local communities have snapped up the chance to accept initial financial help to then provide a service delivered by local residents that is viable and sustainable.

“Oxfordshire can be proud of the get up and go spirit, business sense and willingness of people to roll up their sleeves and muck in.

“I look forward to every one of our county councillors, regardless of political background, working with their local residents to come up with schemes that suit their area and demonstrate a solid business case.”