A NEW initiative has been launched in South Gloucestershire allowing councillors to award funds to projects in the community.

The Member Awarded Funding (MAF) scheme, which was launched yesterday to replace the previous Community Grant Scheme, allows each of the 70 South Gloucestershire councillors an allocated £3,000 to spend on particular projects.

The decision to create the MAF scheme was made in February this year.

Councillors will have the option to award all their annual funding to a single organisation or initiative, or divide it among a number of groups. They will also be able to combine their individual fund with other councillors in order to provide greater support to a particular scheme in a given year.
Funding can be used to make a contribution to a community project or as a grant to voluntary, community or social enterprise groups or the town and parish councils.

It can also be used to secure delivery of additional council services or services from other public sector organisations during the year such as grass cutting or ground maintenance.

For further information on the Member Awarded Funding scheme, including details of the money awarded by each councillor, unsuccessful applications and the criteria for application, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/maf