GRANTS of up to £50,000 are available for West Oxfordshire communities to help improve facilities that benefit local people.

The district council's Community Facilities Grant can be used to enhance or create new facilities, such as village halls, play areas and sports clubs.

A sum of £200,000 has been set aside and funding is being allocated over two rounds; the first took place in the spring when over £65,000 of grant funding was agreed. The deadline for the second round of grants is Tuesday September 15

Cllr James Mills, Cabinet Member responsible for leisure, said: “Local facilities, such as village halls and recreation parks, play an important part of community life, which is why we remain committed to supporting their upkeep and development. Our grant support can unlock further funding opportunities from other sources, enabling a planned project to go-ahead and become a reality.”

In 2014/15, fifteen schemes were grant aided resulting in a total investment of over £6million into local schemes. The leverage effect being that for ever pound grant aided by the council, £19.14 of external or community funding is released from other sources for community facilities.

Application forms are available via the council’s website www.westoxon.gov.uk/communities. For more information, call 01993 861080.