17 January 2013

Community services funded by Council

35 community groups have been funded by Palmerston North City Council to deliver its community outcomes.

Last year a record 74 community groups sought $3.2 million from the $1.2m Community Fund. For the first time community groups had to demonstrate how their activities align to Council’s strategies.

Palmerston North mayor Jono Naylor says the wider community has worked hard for many years to create the Arts, Active Recreation, Events & Festivals, Sustainable City and Social strategies and the new Community Funding policy will help bring them to life.

“Most organisations appreciated the change in focus. It’s led to a number of community groups coming together to fulfil the requirements and new collaborative initiatives have been organised.”

Community development manager Cathy McCartney says environmental groups received the largest increase in funding. Increasing from $75,000 to $130,000, she says “it demonstrates the city’s focus on becoming a sustainable city”.

Funding has once again gone to a variety of arts and cultural organisations including $70,000 going to Creative Sounds (The Stomach), $65,000 to Palmerston North Community Arts and $35,000 towards Reel Earth.

Cathy McCartney says not all of the funding has yet been allocated and further discussions will be held within the marginalised communities sector. “While we received a number of applications for the Aged and Disability, staff felt the applications were not aligned with Council’s strategies. So, what we’ve done instead is ring-fence the money and staff will now work with applicants to facilitate how those groups can work towards Council’s goals.”

Funding for the sport community is included in the new funding regime. $364,100 was allocated to Sport Manawatū for allocation and operating expenses.

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