The grants programme has four aspects to it.

Grants of up to £5,000 for Parish or Town Councils to develop Parish and Town Plans which will identify a wide range of issues and an action plan for their community. The grant requires an additional 25% of the requested amount from the Parish or Town Council 5% in cash but the rest can be in kind, including volunteer time.

Parish Transport Grants are also available to Parish and Town Councils. Up to £10,000 for new schemes that meet the transport needs of local residents. 25% of the project cost must be raised in kind, or cash, by the Parish Council. Joint schemes with other Parishes are encouraged. There are also additional funds available through the Rural Transport Partnership which can offer small amounts for local schemes.

The Community Service Grant offers between £500 and £25K for local projects and can be applied for by Parish Councils. Community groups, commercial retailers and providers of services. Projects need to respond to locally identified needs and must be supported by the Parish Council. Projects also need an element of match funding – either in cash or kind.

For details about any grants and an application form contact the "Vital Villages" Call Centre on 0870 333 0170 or contact Mo Brickwood at the Community Council for Berkshire on 0118 9612000 to discuss your needs.

The Community Furniture Project has a Kemble electric organ needing a home. Call Jacky on 01635-43933 if you are interested.

It is quite likely that at some time in the next few months you will see a very brightly decorated vehicle around the roads of West Berkshire, especially in some of the smaller and more isolated rural areas. This is a new service which is being launched by West Berkshire Libraries in partnership with a variety of other organisations including Newbury College, the Employment Service, Berkshire Information, Advice and Guidance Service, the Life Long Learning Partnership, the Community Council for Berkshire and many others.

CLIVE stands for Community Learning and Information Vehicle and will bring a full range of services and information to you. There will be opportunities to have some basic computer training, access to the internet, advice about training opportunities, careers information and information about council services.

If you want to know if CLIVE is coming to your area or if you have an idea of how it could link in with an existing group in your community contact John Ellis CLIVE co-ordinator at Newbury Library on 01635-519900.

Eezeeweb is a website especially for people in West Berkshire – residents or business – to help you to find the right learning opportunities. The service is totally free and independent.

This new enquiry centre will provide telephone advice and information about Social Services and Community Care for adults in West Berkshire. 9.00m – 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

9^th October 2001