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Community groups urged to prepare for Council financial assistance

Published: 22 July, 2010

The chairman of the Omagh District Council's Development committee, Sean Begley has called upon local community and voluntary groups to begin preparing their applications for the Councils Community Support and Capital Grant aid.

Both programmes will open for applications on the week commencing 30th August. It is anticipated that the closing date for Community Support Aid will be Friday 17th September, while the closing date for Capital grant applications is expected to be 5pm on Thursday 30th September.

Community Support Grant Aid assists groups by providing financial assistance for running costs such as electricity, heating, insurance, stationary and venue hire. The Council also proposes to invite applications for Christmas activities at the same time.

Omagh District Council is making available a capital grant budget of £150,000 for the 2010/11 financial year. Under the programme, groups can claim up to a maximum of £25,000 for the purchase of equipment or refurbishment of premises.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Councillor Begley said:

"I call upon local groups to prepare for this years community and capital grant aid funding programmes. As a Council, we cherish the work carried out by voluntary organisations, which are the backbone of our local communities.

"Applications are particularly welcome from new groups who have not benefited from such funding in the past. However, groups who have already received funding are most welcome to submit applications because in many instances, it is this support that helps to sustain voluntary groups from year to year".

Application forms can be collected from the Council offices or from the Public Service Centre. Alternatively, forms and associated guidance can be downloaded by logging on to www.omagh.gov.uk/council_online/grant_aid/