Town council to offer £245,000 of grants to groups

Northampton Film Festival was one of the events helped by a grant from the town council

A town council has increased its support for local community groups to £245,000 in the next financial year.

Northampton Town Council said it was for projects that "enhance the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the town".

In 2023-24 it awarded grants totalling £173,386 to 88 different organisations, including funding charities and community events.

Jane Birch, from the Labour-led council, said the funding could "be for everything from one-off events to longer term projects".

'Small neighbourhood-based groups'

Bleed kits delivered by Off the Streets NN and the 2024 Northampton Film Festival were two beneficiaries of the funding.

Also supported was Outside In Theatre's "Willow's Winter Hug" workshops, which provided free craft and story sessions to more than 100 children at libraries and community venues in Northampton during half-term.

Bleed control kits have been funded by the town council

Ms Birch, chair of the council's community services committee, said: "We know there are so many charities, groups and organisations working hard to improve the town and make a difference to its residents, and we are keen to support the brilliant things they do.

"Our grants are intended to help all types of community organisations, from small neighbourhood-based groups, right through to larger, not-for-profit organisations."

The funding will be made available through the year, through different schemes depending on the size and location of the project.

Northampton Town Council was founded when the town's borough council was dissolved to form part of West Northamptonshire Council.