Grants of up to £20,000 awarded to sixteen community projects

Cllr Aga Dychton, Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Holder for Community at Holywell Community Centre

Sixteen schemes that benefit the local community will receive funding following a decision by Watford Borough Council’s Cabinet this week (28 November)...

£150,000 of the town’s Neighbourhood Grant funding pot was awarded to local groups, including schools, charities and sports clubs, to support initiatives that will make a real difference across the town.

The funding – which is managed by the council and available on an annual basis – is generated from a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that developers pay on new housing developments in the borough. Its purpose is to support local projects that address the impact of new development and ensure local people benefit from sustainable growth in the borough.

To ensure grassroots involvement by people in their local area, grant allocations were influenced through a voting poll to show public support for the projects. There were over 2,000 votes and successful applicants were shortlisted based on meeting the requirements of CIL regulations and the council’s agreed Neighbourhood Grant priorities: These include:

  • Sport and wellbeing - 3G artificial grass pitch at Everett Rovers FC, fully enclosed nets at Watford Town Cricket Club (both £20,000), defibrillator at Glen Rovers GAA (£2,340), creation of community artwork by Cathartic C.I.C (£8,773) and a get active programme at Veterans Support Group Watford & District (£2,000)
  • Green spaces and sustainability - Biodiversity garden at Cherry Tree School (£4,500), school allotment at Beechfield School (£5,000), New Hope memorial garden at St Marys Church (£3,111) and interpretive signs within Cassiobury Park nature reserve (£1,822)
  • Community spaces - Improvements to Holywell Community Centre, including the kitchen, main hall and entrance facilities, as well as Meriden Community Centre car park (both £20,000), which includes fixing potholes and painting white lines.
  • Supporting local facilities and infrastructure – CCTV at Victoria Passage (£5,000), investment for better toilet and wash facilities at Watford Workshop (£15,000), general improvements to the Pump House Theatre, including better disability access (£19,383) and Random Café (£7,923) to improve accessibility, add a patio, and install solar panels.  

Collage of Neighbourhood Grant winners
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor with successful applicants including Glen Rovers, Pump House Theatre, Everett Rovers and Friends of Cassiobury Park

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “It’s great to see so many local organisations have taken advantage of the grants available. The funding is supporting projects that will make a real difference to the lives of people in our communities. It has also been brilliant to see the wide range of proposals from our diverse community, helping people get more actively involved in their neighbourhoods.”

Cllr Aga Dychton, Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Holder for Community, said: “Watford’s Neighbourhood Grant is just one way to help communities feel engaged and included in the future development of their neighbourhood, street, road, park or community centre. As the town continues to grow, it’s important we create communities with the infrastructure needed for local residents.”

The next round of funding will be in open for applications again in summer 2023, however, you can email NCIL@watford.gov.uk if you want to find out more in advance. To read more about the projects, please visit https://watfordneighbourhoodgrant.commonplace.is/

Published: 28th November 2022

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