The Councillor Ward Budget Scheme 2025 was launched on 01 August 2025.
All 45 district ward councillors were allocated £10,000 each to enable them to actively support eligible grant applications, of up to a maximum of £5,000, from local organisations, charities and CICs in their local area.
The scheme provides councillors with a direct way to support projects that respond to local needs and make a positive difference to their communities.
Voluntary organisations, charities and community groups make an important contribution to the lives of residents and the strength of local communities.
Small amounts of funding can make a significant difference, helping established services and new community projects to get started. However, some grant funding opportunities can be complex and time-consuming to apply for, particularly for smaller organisations with limited capacity and resources.
The Councillor Ward Budget Scheme was established to provide a simpler, more accessible funding route for local organisations, charities and community groups. The scheme gives ward councillors the opportunity to actively support community-led projects and make funding decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of their local areas.
By providing each councillor with a dedicated budget, the scheme enables funding to reach a wide range of grassroots initiatives and organisations. It also strengthens the connection between councillors and their communities, supporting projects that can have a direct and positive local impact.
The primary aim of the Councillor Ward Budget Scheme was to provide a simple, accessible and locally targeted route to community funding that put local ward councillors at the centre of the grant decisions in their ward.
The Scheme facilitates projects and initiatives that support the Council Strategy, especially those around community resilience and wellbeing and has been used for all types of projects, including village halls, scout groups, children’s nurseries, litter picking groups and sports clubs.
This is a well-established, not for Profit membership club based at the Goldsmiths Leisure Centre in Crowborough.
Lifesaving has been a key part of the club’s activities along with numerous national and international achievements.
Funding of £2,416.20 has enabled the purchase of more life-saving equipment, such as rescue tubes, QCPR resus manikins, sport rescue manikins and throw lines, to help train new and existing Club members.
Schools are not eligible for this grant, however, the scheme has received several applications from PTAs and similar community groups.
Danehill School PTA is a charity and applied for the maximum grant of £5,000 to help fund a replacement timber playground sensory studio, primarily for children with special needs and move their existing Forest School structure.
With an overall project cost of £20,000 and a tight timeframe for completion of works, this funding offered the best solution.
Sawpits Woods (CIC) is a space to experience and connect with nature. The project brings people together from all walks of life to learn woodland skills and work together to protect and enhance the woodland and its biodiversity.
£3,000 was used to buy tools, safety equipment and other resources, along with the services of an experienced environmental educator and facilitator for a series of group sessions to both upskill and inspire people to actively participate in a local woodland environment.
A not for profit social club based in Heathfield, with the primary aim of combatting loneliness amongst retirees through inter-generational activities.
Working together with local nurseries and primary schools, they bring together like-minded people to learn, create, play and eat together in a friendly environment.
£3000 from the scheme was granted to help fund the Young at Heart Music Festival, which took place in July 2026. This event was open to all and raised over £10,000.
The scheme has provided a flexible, community-led funding opportunity, giving elected ward councillors the discretion to support local projects, groups and organisations where funding is most needed.
During the eight-month 2025/26 scheme, 307 applications were received, with 254 supported. More than £388,000 was allocated to a diverse range of local initiatives, helping organisations deliver projects and activities that benefit their communities.
