PARISH and town councils around Norfolk are being invited to stake their claim for a share of �36,000 to spend on community projects to help bring people together.

PARISH and town councils around Norfolk are being invited to stake their claim for a share of �36,000 to spend on community projects to help bring people together.

Grants of between �500 and �5,000 will be distributed via parishes to local people who come up with projects and ideas which include everyone in the parish.

Whether projects are one-off events or the kick start of a project or idea that can become self financing, the main thing is that the money will help fund schemes not available elsewhere at parish level.

The Norfolk Association of Local Councils successfully applied for the grant from Norfolk Ambition-Norfolk's County Strategic Partnership, to be allocated to Parish and Town Councils via a Participatory Budgeting scheme.

Sanita Presland, parish liaison officer for the Norfolk Association of Local Councils, said: “In our bid we explained that the money would go to offer funding to parish councils through projects aimed at residents who through their diverse backgrounds could feel excluded from community life within their parish.

“This money will make a real difference to the communities who make successful applications, as funding for such schemes is not available elsewhere at parish council level.”

Groups seeking funding need to get their applications in by December 31 and the grants will be allocated after Dragons Den style decision days planned for February next year.

Further details on the scheme are available by calling 01603 664869 or by emailing enquiries@norfolkalc.gov.uk