Developer funding for Worthing community groups nears one million pounds

Worthing Borough Council has invested close to one million pounds in local community projects after allocating the latest round of Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund grants.

Nearly one hundred and forty five thousand pounds was awarded this year to forty community and voluntary sector groups, bringing total spending from the fund over the past four years to nine hundred and seventy two thousand pounds.

The fund uses a share of developer contributions to help offset the impact of new development on residents and has supported a wide range of initiatives since its launch in 2021.

This year funding focused on projects supporting families and young people, including mentoring schemes, services for children with special educational needs and grief support, as well as cost of living initiatives such as community food clubs and cooking projects.

Grants were also awarded to cultural, sporting and environmental projects, including improvements to parks, sports facilities and green spaces, alongside new community hubs and activities for older residents.

Successful applications were selected by community assessment panels made up of councillors and local representatives, with unsuccessful groups offered feedback and encouraged to apply again in future rounds.