The creation of dedicated ward budgets for councillors to spend on supporting improvements within their communities has been approved by Wealden District Council.
Each of the 45 councillors will be allocated £10,000 to fund projects and initiatives that directly benefit their wards. The funding, totalling £450,000, will come from General Fund reserves and represents a cost-effective mechanism for addressing local priorities identified by residents and councillors alike.
Grassroots initiatives
Councillor ward budgets have been successfully used by councils across the country to support grassroots initiatives that may otherwise lack financial backing. This approach strengthens community engagement and empowers local representatives to drive meaningful change.
Councillors will be able to collaborate within their wards, combining their allocations where appropriate, and will assist community groups in submitting funding applications. They will also be responsible for ensuring that funds are used in accordance with approved projects.
Local needs
Cllr Greg Collins, lead councillor for Finance, HR and Customer Services, said, “I’m delighted to see this scheme come forward to delivery, as it realises a long-held ambition. These schemes are very common across similar councils in England. Within Wealden, as elected members for their wards, councillors are ideally placed to understand local needs, and this scheme helps them meet those needs quickly and easily.
“This scheme will enable members to seek out opportunities to direct funds where they are most needed in their individual wards, places and communities they know best.
“By investing in locally led improvements, from the bottom up, we at the council are reaffirming our ongoing commitment to fostering strong, vibrant communities.”
Over the next two months, a scheme will be designed to distribute the funding, including agreeing criteria for awarding funds, with the anticipated start date during July 2025