Council launches Civic Pride Fund for community projects
A new fund is being launched to boost the delivery of community events and projects across Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The Civic Pride Investment Fund – created by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council –invites local organisations to apply for small grants to supplement activities designed to strengthen the borough’s reputation as a place which is clean, safe and friendly.
The pot of money – totalling £22,000 for 2025/26 – complements the council’s successful Civic Pride initiative which sees partner agencies come together for days of action in wards across the borough, in collaboration with residents and local organisations, to enhance neighbourhoods and increase feelings of pride and belonging.
Council Leader Simon Tagg announced the news during today’s #PrideInNUL event in Clayton and the Westlands. The council’s Green Team is working with the Better Together group to maintain a community garden, based at St. Werburgh’s Church, and helping pupils from The Coppice Academy to remove litter from the Lyme Valley Parkway. A partnership drop-in session is taking place at St. Luke’s Methodist Church from 10am to 2pm.
Cllr. Tagg said:
The borough council is working alongside residents and partners, such as Aspire Housing and Staffordshire Police, to make a positive difference in communities across the borough as part of its successful Civic Pride scheme. It’s a long-term programme aiming to boost pride in our fantastic town, much like our 850th anniversary celebrations did. Now I’m really pleased to unveil a complementary investment fund that’s been made available as part of this year’s budget.
The council wants to hear from local people who want to get started on their own Civic Pride projects which will also help to create cleaner, safer and friendlier places for everyone. Money can be used to fund events and activities or for things like tools for litter picks and planting. The funding is primarily intended for revenue activity but capital purchases will also be considered where they benefit the community.”
Funding requests will be considered on a quarterly basis by Cabinet, with decisions based on need and impact. Applications can be submitted online where supporting information is also available.
The deadline for the first round of funding is Friday, 11 July.