A whole host of local projects from diversity celebrations to community groups have received a much-needed boost thanks to financial contributions from borough councillors over the last six months.
Our Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme (WIIS) gives each of our 39 councillors £750 to spend on local projects throughout the year.
Six months into this year’s scheme, there has been 12 different applications made, which gave a total spend of £8,432 to groups and organisations that are actively supporting the community.
Councillor Christian Gray, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Neighbourhoods, Enforcement, Economic Development and Transformation, said: “The WIIS provides a financial boost to some vital local organisations and it’s a great way for councillors to support their local community.
“Please keep putting in applications if you have a project that benefits the community in Hertsmere, we want to hear from you!”
Within the last quarter, £2,592 was spent across a variety of different applications. Among the top recipients, were Friends of Newberries School for the replacement of a shed; Shizentai Judo Club for purchasing medals and Friends of Parkfield Medical Centre for running Chatter Tables at the Wyllyotts café.
Another recipient, Potters Bar Choral Society said: “The Potters Bar Choral Society very much appreciate receiving a WIIS award and would like to thank the councillors who so generously supported us. The award will go towards funding our three concerts this season.
“The Choral Society has contributed to the cultural life of Potters Bar for around 60 years, providing a high standard of music making. Singing has been shown to be of great value to people’s wellbeing, socially, mentally and physically and, quite apart from that, we have a lot of fun!”
The Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme for 2023-24 will close on the 31 March 2024 and will reopen for 2024/25 applications from April 2024.
For more information about the Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme, please visit: www.hertsmere.gov.uk/WIIS.
Photo caption: Potters Bar Choral Society in rehearsals.
Posted on Wednesday 11th October 2023