Councillor Elizabeth Scott PROPOSALS to increase community budgets in order to boost local economic recovery and support projects go before councillors next week. Durham County Council’s Cabinet is to receive a series of recommendations including an increase to the Neighbourhood Budgets available to all 126 elected members, with each proposed to be given a one-off allocation of £10,000 to support the revitalisation of towns and villages. The council’s 14 Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) have supported thousands of projects across the county and brought in millions of pounds of match funding over the years. In addition they have provided essential support to community groups and volunteers during the difficult last 15 months of the coronavirus pandemic.
Durham County Council’s Fun and Food programme VIRTUAL cookery demonstrations, arts and crafts sessions and fun ideas to try at home are just some of the free activities on offer for County Durham families this half-term. Durham County Council’s Fun and Food programme provides activities with healthy food during the school holidays when it can sometimes be a struggle for families to keep youngsters fed and entertained. The council invited schools, voluntary and community sector organisations to apply for funding through its 14 Area Action Partnerships (AAP) to deliver Fun and Food activities over the May half-term from May 31 to June 4. A total of £47,167 was awarded to support 47 projects across the county.