Funding boost of £368,000 for East Northants community projects

This is the final year of the Member Empowerment Fund (MEF) which has helped numerous groups since 2011
Raunds Library has benefited from the schemeRaunds Library has benefited from the scheme
Raunds Library has benefited from the scheme

Projects have received more than £368,000 of funding since East Northamptonshire Council (ENC) launched its Member Empowerment Funding (MEF) scheme in 2011.

Every year from 2011 - 2021, each ENC district councillor was allocated £1,000 each to spend on small community-based projects.

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The money could be awarded to parish/town councils, community groups, voluntary organisations and charities who work in East Northants.

The roundabout and rocking horse at WoodnewtonThe roundabout and rocking horse at Woodnewton
The roundabout and rocking horse at Woodnewton

MEF supported community events, sports activities, environmental enhancements, local facility improvements, equipment for youth groups and projects that promote safer communities.

Since MEF started in June 2011, communities have benefited from more than £368,000 of grant funding and grant money over the past year has been used for a variety of projects including:

- Purchase of equipment for the efficient running of the Library for the community of Raunds

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- New laptop equipment to support home learning for schools in Oundle

Irthlingborough's day centre has benefited from the scheme with craft materialsIrthlingborough's day centre has benefited from the scheme with craft materials
Irthlingborough's day centre has benefited from the scheme with craft materials

- Restoration of the children’s roundabout and rocking horse at the play area in Woodnewton

- Towards the purchase of life-saving equipment defibrillators to be used across East Northants

- Installation of entrance gates to the village of Apethorpe

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- Purchase of craft materials for users of the Day Centre in Irthlingborough

The Apethorpe entrance signThe Apethorpe entrance sign
The Apethorpe entrance sign

- New football goals for the junior football team based in Thrapston

- Purchase and installation of six defibrillators across Rushden

With the new North Northamptonshire Council coming into existence on April 1, this was the last year of MEF.

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To find out more about the scheme and projects it has helped click here.

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