Each ward across the city receives a small fund each year to allocate to groups and events that benefit local communities and the local economy, to help meet the stated “ward priorities” of that year.

The 2014-2015 Ward Priorities for Beauchief & Greenhill include:

1. Financial Inclusion – which includes helping to improve access to services and affordable finance
2. Employment & Skills – which includes supporting skills developments and educational attainment through schools, libraries, jobs clubs and advice services
3. Reducing Health Inequality – including promoting activities to tackle mental ill health, reduce social isolation amongst older people and promoting a range of activities for children and young people
4. Social Cohesion – which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour, improve local shopping centres, develop social networking opportunities for residents and services and support sustainable local community organisations

Earlier this year Beauchief & Greenhill ward received around £12,000 to award to local groups and schemes. By the time the approval panel (which consists of the three ward councillors and council officers) met in June 2014, we had received more than 20 applications for funding and were able to approve funding for schemes that included:

• Jobs clubs to help residents get back into work
• New play equipment for young children
• Fitness classes for older people.

We still have some funds available in our Ward Pot, which needs to be allocated by the 16th January 2015.

If you are interested in putting in an application for funding, please contact teresa.bond [at] sheffield [dot] gov [dot] uk as soon as possible.