8th April 2024

 

£100,000 announced for community safety projects in Essex

The funding aims to make communities safer through local grant funded projects.

Essex County Council has today (20 March) announced £100,000 funding to improve public safety across the county.

From 10am on 25 March local groups will be able to apply for a grant from the council’s new Community Safety Initiatives Fund. The fund aims to improve the safety of residents and address violence and vulnerability.

Grants will be awarded to local groups for projects or initiatives within their own communities.

The benefit of allocating the fund this way is that these groups have the community links and local knowledge. This means the funding will be used in the best way to benefit communities.

Grants from £500 up to £2,000 will be available. The fund will be open to:

  • voluntary and community organisations
  • registered charities
  • charitable incorporated organisations (CIO)
  • not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee
  • community interest companies (CIC)
  • town, parish, or community councils

Groups will need to demonstrate that their projects will improve or promote public safety in their local community. The full criteria is available on application but projects will be considered that:

  • prevent crime or reduce anti-social behaviour. For example, improving home or personal safety or tackling crime in rural areas
  • physically improve anti-social behaviour hotspots
  • help improve safety in the night-time economy
  • prevent people becoming involved with criminal behaviour or anti-social behaviour
  • support local communities and encourage volunteering
  • support community events for over 250 people

Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Communities and Business Engagement said: “Local groups have the expert knowledge and established links with residents or businesses in their areas. In many cases, great work is already being done and I hope that this funding can expand existing and develop new initiatives on the key safety priorities of local areas.

“It is great news that crime is down across the county and we must work to ensure that this continues, whilst also addressing issues of perception and fear of crime.

“Not only will these local projects aim to address local issues and make spaces safe, they will also help make residents feel safer too and will support the work of our Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

“We are really looking forward to receiving the applications and I would urge any groups that are eligible to apply.”

Online applications can be made from 10am on 25 March until 23:45 on 12 May. Search Community Safety Initiatives Fund at www.essex.gov.uk for more details and to apply.

 

This announcement is subject to a three day call in period (ending 5pm 22 March).