A Community Engagement Fund has been established in recogniton of the key role that Community Councils have in representing community interests within the new Neighbourhood Partnerships that have been established.

Part of this new role is to ensure that community interests are being represented and that links are made with local communities to help identify community needs, interests, concerns and opportunities within local neighbourhoods.

This information and insight will be helpful in ensuring that the neighbourhood planning process is an inclusive one.

This fund will enable Community Councils to develop initiatives, events and information which help their local communities to be more aware of the neighbourhood planning process and which encourage local people to become more active and influential in the development and delivery of the neighbourhood plan for their area.

A grant of up to £500 will be available to Community Councils for proposals which meet the relevant criteria.

An example of an eligible projects would be those for consultation or for publication of the role the particular Community Council plays.

This may include making and extending links with the wider community within the area to elicit views, ideas, and opportunities which might require research, small surveys, communitiy audits.

Community Councils will be required to submit a report to the Neighbourhood Partnership at the end of the financial year detailing how the grant was spent. This should demonstrate how the initiative has contributed and added value to the local community plan.

Council Leader Jenny Dawe said, "Community Councils play a pivotal role in representing local communities. Their ability to interact both with the community and the neighbourhood partnerships mean they have real power in influencing the decision making process. I would encourage Community Councils around the city to apply for this funding which has been set aside so that they can increase and improve their impact in the community."

Tollcross Community Council www.tollcross.org/communitycouncil