TIME is running out for community groups and organisations to apply for the latest round of grants from Swindon Council.

The council gives £150,000 a year to organisations across the borough, with 43 given money since April, and as the next funding application deadline approaches on September 1 groups are being urged to apply.

A further round of funding will also be available after September, with a closing date of January 5.

The council grants come in three forms, including the grassroots grants, which can be up to £1,000 for events, administration grants, which can be up to £500 to help with expenses, and community grants, which from September 1 will be called neighbourhood grants and can be for sums of up to £500, £1,000 or over £1,500, if match-funded by applicants.

The funding for these has been allocated to the council’s seven locality areas and councillors within those areas will consider and approve applications.

Deputy leader of Swindon Council Coun David Renard said: “I am grateful to all the people across Swindon who give their time and talents to help other people, and our grants are there to provide much-needed support to community groups.

“We have devolved the funding to ward councillors for Neighbourhood Grants to help them support local groups and to encourage closer working between those groups and the council.”

Information is available at www.swindon.gov.uk or by calling Alison Chamberlain on 01793 466301.