Community funding boosted
Community forum funding has received a boost with the £240,000 for small community bids and events reinstated.
At last night’s (Mon) full council, the 2025/26 budget was approved, which included money for small community bids and events.
The local authority has historically used the funding to support community projects, but funding was not available in 2024/25 due to budget pressures.
Although work to balance the books is ongoing, the reinstatement of community forum funding will now be available for small community bids and community events, including Christmas trees, lighting and Christmas events, with the exact split yet to be confirmed.
Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member responsible for community funding, said:
“Due to the ongoing budget pressures, we took the difficult decision not to have community forum funding in the last financial year.
“We are pleased we are now reinstating this and it will once again be available for small community bids and events.”
Community groups are still able to apply for other funding through Dudley Council’s match funded project with spacehive https://www.spacehive.com/movement/dudley/about