Community groups share the funds

Community projects in Swaffham and Watton are sharing in thousands of pounds given out in funding after local people were given their say on how it should be rewarded.

Community projects in Swaffham and Watton are sharing in thousands of pounds given out in funding after local people were given their say on how it should be rewarded.

Meetings were held in each of the five Breckland market towns to award money under the so-called Participatory Budgeting initiative.

At Swaffham 14 schemes were funded.

Most votes went to Home-Start Swaffham and District, which got �500 towards a family summer outing fun day.

Other grants including The Garden Science Trust in Swaffham (�251), Family Action in Swaffham (�500) and Swaffham Rugby Club minis open day/recruitment campaign (�456.67).

At Watton nine projects got funding including Eco-Bugs from Wayland High School (�800 for their eco-garden), Griston Parish Council (�880 for the recreation ground) and 2nd Watton RAF Rainbows (�800).

Details are still to be finalised about which Thetford projects were funded.

Mark Fretwell, Breckland's partnership (LSP) officer said: 'There has clearly been a real appetite locally for the Your Partnership Your Decision participatory budgeting pilot project with 109 applications received for the six decision events held in the Breckland district.

'It has been rewarding to witness at first hand the dedication, enthusiasm and resourcefulness of individuals, organisations and local community groups in delivering excellent local projects that make a real and valuable contribution to their local community. I look forward to seeing the wide range of projects being delivered and their effect on people's lives in the coming months.'

He added: 'I anticipate that there will be wider benefits generated through the participatory budgeting events in bringing together individuals and groups that previously were not aware of each other and their respective projects.'