Environment grants open

Local environmental projects could get a £3,000 boost from the proceeds of litter fines.

Swale Borough Council has reopened its environment grant scheme, to support community projects and organisations that help deliver on environmental objectives.

The £15,000 fund is paid for from the income from littering and fly-tipping fixed penalty notices.

The fund has paid for projects such as beach cleans, removing litter from water courses, wildlife surveys, replacing existing litter bins, planters and several waste reduction and recycling education schemes for children.

Cllr Rich Lehmann, chair of the Environment Committee, said:

“Taking care of and improving our local environment is incredibly important to us as a council.

“That is why we are excited to be able to reopen this funding using income generated from waste related fines such as fly-tipping and littering.

“It is an opportunity to turn something detrimental to our environment into amazing projects and initiatives across the Borough.

“We can’t wait to see how this funding will be used to improve Swale’s local environment.”

The maximum grant for any one project is £3000 and only one application can be submitted by an organisation in each financial year.

The scheme will be open until 24 February 2024, and application forms and guidance notes are available at swale.gov.uk/environment-grant.