Next WERA committee meeting

The next WERA committee will be held on Monday, 11th December, at 8pm. If you wish to raise an item, please contact us via the ‘contact us’ section on the website. Agenda items need to be received at least 7 days before the meeting.

Levelling Up Grants

Community Groups in the West End Can Now Apply for Carholme Community Chest Grants

WERA has been made aware that grants of up to £2,500 are now available to community groups in the West End and Carholme under the City of Lincoln Community Chest initiative, with a total of £25,000 available by December 2024. This is co-funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Investors in Lincoln as part of The Levelling Up agenda.

Each of the 11 City of Lincoln wards will receive up to £25,000, with all funds required to be allocated by December 2024. The City of Lincoln Community Chest will aim to:

• Support local projects that improve the quality of life for local people.
• Promote a sense of ownership not only of problems but also of local opportunities and resources.
• Start more neighbourhood groups and revitalise existing groups.

The Carholme Ward Panel, which will review grant applications from community groups in Carholme, is made up of local councillors along with representatives from community groups. The Panel has set the following priorities:

• Improving the physical appearance of the area
• Bringing our community together
• Activities for young people
• Utilising our open spaces
• Reducing Isolation

Grants of up to £2,500 will be available and will need to be matched 50/50 with cash match or in-kind contributions. In exceptional circumstances, each ward is allowed to allocate one £5,000 grant.

There will be several rounds of funding over the next year. Grant applications for the initial round of funding need to be submitted by 10 November 2023. For more information about the City of Lincoln Community Chest and a grant application form, please contact frances.plant@lincoln.gov.uk

Funding for this programme is only available to groups, so if you have an idea to improve your neighbourhood, you must form a group to apply for funding with a bank account in the group name. You will need to create a set of rules which all members of your group agree to abide by. This is called a Terms of Reference. Alternatively, for those in the West End, WERA may be able to support you in your application. Please contact weralincoln@gmail.com  

Read the city council press release about the scheme.