Peter Fleming, Leader of the SDC was recently pleased to report that in the last 12 months the council has been spectacularly successful in bringing into the district over £3 million pounds of grant funding. Applications were made for funding to support homeless families, environmental housing grants to support the councils Net Zero 2030 agenda and funding from the Dept of Work and Pensions to be the hub for the West Kent Kickstart project (see https://kickstartwestkent.co.uk/), helping 16 to 24 year olds into work.
Cllr Kevin Maskell Cabinet Member for Health and Housing talked about the importance of building on our work with the homeless, “We have seen the pandemic has had a real impact on those who have found themselves homeless through no fault of their own, job insecurity and changes in personal circumstances have led to a significant number of residents coming to the council seeking for help, this funding will allow us to deliver a positive response to those in need and give them the stability of a roof over their heads’
“When bidding for these grants, we are in a competitive environment with other councils for a limited pot of money” Councillor Fleming explained. “During the same period, we were unsuccessful in grant applications totalling just under £550 thousand pounds, but we have to realise we just can’t win them all and because each bid involves a considerable amount of work, we have to carefully consider which we will try for”.
It is understood that currently SDC has bids in or in progress for grants that would total over one million pounds, including funding for leisure and digital projects. Laura Trott MP said “I am always pleased to work closely with the council on those bids that require Member of Parliament support.” “Laura has always gone “above and beyond” in her advice, help and support in making the district’s case with these bids”, Councillor Fleming added.
