Thousands Of Pounds Worth Of Grants Awarded To Several Mid Sussex Community Groups

A Multi-Use Games Area is to be installed at Copthorne Recreation Ground thanks to a grant from Mid Sussex District Council.

During a meeting of the cabinet grants panel on Monday (February 19), councillors agreed to release £164,300 of S106 funds to pay for the work, which is expected to start in the Spring.

Members also gave the thumbs-up to an application from the 1st Copthorne Scout Group for £115,018 for outdoor improvements and renewable energy adaptations at the Scout & Guide Centre.

S106 funds are contributed to the council by developers building in the area and can be used for anything from leisure projects to affordable housing to education.

As well as approving the two applications for funds, the panel also agreed to allow changes to be made to a number of previous successful applications.

These included granting Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club another £66,661.47 to put towards the rebuilding of its clubhouse, bringing the total award to £377,889.59.

And Mid Sussex District Scouts will receive another £163,420.50 for the building of a community hall at Barn Cottage Recreation Ground, in Haywards Heath.

This will take the total received for the project to £263,420.50.

The panel also approved 13 community grants applications totalling £37,001.

They include £800 for Burgess Hill Marching Youth to pay for four flutes, four lyres, tutorial books and display books.

The Chequer Mead Arts & Community Trust will receive £5,000 to run monthly dimentia friendly film screenings.

The Dudley House Trust will receive £4,058 to set up a repair café, train a staff member, and buy items to hire out to the community.

And the RESPECT Youth Club, in Burgess Hill, will receive £1,745 to fund a DJ Taster Day, an inflatable day, and disco and craft supplies.

Once all 13 sums are paid, there will be £12,658 left in the Community Development Grants budget.