South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet has given the green light to a £2.4million boost to the local voluntary sector.
The extra funding to support the voluntary sector is made up of:
- £1.6m allocated to a new ‘Big Society’ Fund to deliver and support council initiatives to provide services more locally in line with the ‘Big Society’ and ‘Localism’ agenda of shifting power from the state to local communities
- £600k to help the voluntary sector grow and become stronger, including by promoting volunteering and recruiting more volunteers
- £200k allocated to increase the council’s area forum community grant scheme.
Cllr James Hunt, Executive Member for Communities, said: “We have given the green light to a massive multi-million pound shot in the arm for the advancement of the Big Society and localism in South Gloucestershire.”
“We are absolutely committed to providing our communities with the help and resources they need to come together, take control of the issues they are concerned about in their areas and further improve their quality of life.
“Even in tough financial times, we recognise the importance of a strong and thriving voluntary and community sector and the roll of local people coming together to make South Gloucestershire an even better place in which to live and work in.”
“This extra investment, including our new ‘Big Society’ Fund, will ensure that the Big Society gets even bigger in South Gloucestershire.”
