Council doubles maximum grant on offer to climate change groups

Organisations in the Vale of White Horse looking to tackle climate change will receive greater support after the district council doubled the maximum financial backing it is offering.

The Vale of White Horse District Council has doubled the maximum grant available from its Climate Action Fund, which opened for applications on May 3, to £10,000 per project.

The fund has previously supported a scheme providing water butts to Watchfield residents for rainwater storage and one replacing old theatre lights in Kingston Bagpuize with energy-efficient LEDs, among many others.

The fund, totalling £100,000, is currently open for applications from town and parish councils and community groups implementing projects addressing climate change.

Grants range from £250 up to £10,000 per project, with the application deadline set for June 28.

Councillor Bethia Thomas, leader and cabinet member for climate action and the environment, said: "Seeing the variety of projects that the council has been able to help local people get off the ground we know that local people are creative when it comes to plans to tackle climate change and help with nature recovery.

"Last year we doubled the amount of money available from £50,000 to £100,000 and now it seems right to double the amount that groups can apply for so they have the financial backing to tackle bigger projects."

Full details of the Climate Action Fund and how to apply are available on the council's website.