The council has invested £250,000 in total for the scheme over the next four years and parish councils within Erewash were encouraged to apply for a first slice of the moneypot .

The green light is expected to be given at this week’s meeting for the following grants:

• £6,510 to Draycott Parish Council for hedge laying and the refurbishment of the boardwalks and pathways at St Chads Local Nature Reserve.
• £6,219 to Stanley and Stanley Common Parish Council towards an upgrade of the play area at Stanley Common, including the installation of new play equipment.
• £7,500 to West Hallam Parish Council to upgrade the Village Hall by replacing the gas boiler, central heating systems and hot water supply with energy efficient and environmentally friendly equipment.
• £8,382 to Sandiacre Parish Council for a new and modern kitchen at the Memorial Institute for the existing and new groups that use the centre.
• £6,620 to Little Eaton Parish Council for the refurbishment and improvement of the children’s play area at St Peter’s Park.

Councillor Carol Hart, Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Community Engagement, says:

“We appreciate all the hard work put in by Parish Councils for their local communities in what are financially challenging times. This new scheme is our way of offering support to them, with money on offer to help meet the costs of new and worthwhile projects that will benefit local people in our rural areas.”

All 13 parish councils were encouraged to apply for a grant and an awards panel as looking at applications received and recommended the approval of the five grants. The parish councils have also secured additional funding from other sources for their projects.

A further round of the Rural Community Grants Scheme is due to be opened in the next financial year when all parish councils will again be urged to apply for funding.