NPA GRANTS

The New Forest National Park Authority is responsible for administering three grant schemes within the boundary of the park.  For more information about each of the schemes click on the links below:

Community grants

Small grants scheme

Sustainable development fund

HCC VILLAGE COMMUNITY GRANT SCHEME

Hampshire County Council is working with partners to protect future access to everyday services and local stores, with the launch of the Village Community Grant Scheme. The initiative offers grants to rural businesses to help increase the use of village shops and/or to create new community-led village stores, particularly in communities which are losing their post offices. The County Council, working in partnership with Community Action Hampshire, Hampshire Association of Local Councils and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has put together application forms for funding which have now been issued to villages across Hampshire, to parish and district councils, village shop-keepers and community representatives.

The three-year project will run until the end of June 2011 and a wide variety of projects could be eligible for a grant of up to £20,000 to help them on their way. Successful schemes could include for example, the creative location of village services, perhaps in the local pub or parish hall; a new delivery service; or a community minibus to bring in customers from neighbouring areas.

The Village Community Grant Scheme is targeted primarily at villages with fewer than 5,000 residents, with applications welcome from community associations, village shop associations, parish or district councils and formal voluntary associations. Private businesses can also apply if they have the written support of their parish council.

The scheme which has been developed in line with research carried out by Community Action Hampshire, has two key objectives - to improve local service provision for villagers (reducing the need for people to travel to reach them), and improving access to essential services not available locally for the most disadvantaged.

Councillor Michael Woodhall, Executive Member for Economic Development, Hampshire County Council said: "This is not just about replacing the footfall of lost post offices - the aim of the Village Community Grant Scheme is to revitalise Hampshire's villages in a way that is more sustainable and viable in the long term, helping them to maintain their community spirit and boosting their local economy. I am very pleased to learn that already a number of businesses are in discussion with our Economic Development Office."

Hampshire County Council will consider the possibility of support for urban post offices facing closure and is exploring mechanisms such as further funds from the Government's Local Authority Business Growth Incentive scheme (LABGI) to offer help to these too.

For more information about the Village Community Grant Scheme, contact Frances Stokes at Hampshire County Council on 01962 845767, Joanna Dixon at Community Action Hampshire on 01962 854971 or Steven Lugg from the Hampshire Association of Local Councils on 01962 841699.

For an application form and guidance log onto http://www3.hants.gov.uk/grants/cx-grants-application-forms.htm.

HCC ADULT SERVICES GRANTS PROGRAMME

Hampshire County Council is reviewing its Adult Services Grants Programme and is holding a public consultation from 6 May to 28 July 2008.  The full consultation document can be read on-line or sent to you by ringing 01962 833040.  The results will be available by 30 September 2008.