Notts: Government cuts force County Council to revise community funding schemes

Despite facing Government budget cuts of £154 million over the next three years, Notts County Council has agreed to retain a fighting fund for local community improvement schemes on a reduced scale.
County HallCounty Hall
County Hall

The former Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) offered financial support to small-scale local community schemes – all backed by a £3 million annual budget.

But with a bleak financial outlook, councillors have been forced to revise the scheme.

However, rather than withdraw the scheme entirely, the council has agreed to keep the project going with a revised annual grant budget of £500,000.

Coun Jim Creamer, committee chairman for environment and sustainability, said: “This is a very frustrating situation to be in, but the severity of the Government’s funding cuts leaves us with no option.”

“However, rather than close the scheme completely we have been able to develop a revised Supporting Local Communities Fund to offer targeted support to make sure communities most in need do not miss out and get the opportunity to improve their local neighbourhoods.”

“And we’ve been able to channel £1 million into our new investment fund to help create more jobs.”