FUNDING SUPPORT FOR INVESTMENT AND GROWTH IN ROCHDALE, HEYWOOD, AND MIDDLETON

FUNDING SUPPORT FOR INVESTMENT AND GROWTH!

The Liberal Democrats on Rochdale Council have a new plan to bring more money and opportunities to our area. They want to create a small team called the Funding and Investment Growth Support (FIGS) team. This team of four people will help find extra funding from big organizations and charities for Rochdale, Heywood, and Middleton.

This team will be made up of existing staff and new hires, funded by £36,000 a year from the council’s reserves. Importantly, no current services, jobs, or budgets will be cut to make this happen. Instead, the council will work smarter to get more money and do more for residents.

Right now, many funding chances are missed because applications are rushed or done alone. The FIGS team will bring experts together to help council departments and local groups prepare better applications on time. They will apply to big funders like Arts Council England, Sport England, and The National Lottery, increasing the chance of success and steady investment.

The team will also help local charities with grant writing, planning, and managing money. This support aims to make these groups stronger and less dependent on small local grants.

They will watch for new government funding opportunities and ready projects quickly. This includes chances tied to youth programs or working with groups like the Woodland Trust.

They also want to bring big events, like the UK Town of Culture or Olympic-related activities, to raise Rochdale’s profile and attract visitors.

Councillor Andy Kelly, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Rochdale said that “In short, this plan is about being ambitious and using every chance to bring in money for our community.”