Groups urged to bid for share of confiscated cash
9:40am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News
THE deadline for local groups to bid for cash confiscated from illegal money lenders has been extended to Friday, February 10.
The U Choose scheme, organised by the England Illegal Money Lending Team working in partnership with Swindon Council, gives residents a say in how money taken from loan sharks is spent to improve their community. The team has put forward £2,000 in proceeds of crime money, to fund as many projects as possible.
Residents, charities, community and voluntary groups, schools and statutory agencies benefiting those who live in the Penhill and Upper Stratton or Gorse Hill and Pinehurst are encouraged to apply for the cash.
Projects should raise awareness of the dangers of loan sharks, promote professional credit options or reduces crime and disorder in the local area.
Those selected will then be invited to showcase their projects to local community members at an event at John Moulton Hall, in Penhill Drive, on February 16.
The community will vote on how they would like the money to be spent.
To ensure a number of projects can be funded groups can apply for up to a maximum of £250 a project. They can submit more than one project but the total for a group must not exceed £500.
Bids should be sent to catherine.wohlers@birmingham.gov.uk or application forms can be collected from John Moulton Hall.
