The UK Government has opened the second round of funding of the £150 million Community Ownership Fund. The fund is open to applications from communities throughout the UK who are seeking to rescue and protect prized community assets such as pubs, sports facilities, historic buildings and music venues.
The fund has been updated to widen eligibility criteria, including removing the requirement that assets have had a use within the last 5 years and will now consider any asset which has had a previous community use, massively expanding the projects eligible to apply. Applicants who have a minimum of a 15-year lease on an asset would now also be considered for funding. Previously, leases were restricted to a minimum of 25 years.
Speaking about the opening of this round of funding, Aberconwy MP Robin Millar said:
“I warmly welcome the opening of the second round of the Community Ownership Fund by the UK Government. I have already met with a number of community groups who may be interested and I will be reaching out to community groups throughout Aberconwy to encourage them to take advantage of this funding. I look forward to doing all that I can to help ensure that their applications are successful.
“A successful application to the Community Ownership Fund was made by a community campaign group, Achub Ty’n LLan – Save Ty’n Llan, to save their pub near Caernarfon and I am certain that communities here in Aberconwy can benefit from the fund."
Continuing, Robin said:
“I am also pleased that the eligibility criteria have been extended which will allow more community groups to submit applications.
“If any groups would like to learn more about the fund, or would like my support with an application, then do please call my office. I’d be delighted to help.”
To learn more about the Community Ownership Fund including eligibility and about how to start an application, visit: www.robin-millar.org.uk/fund