Want a say in Folkestone West community grants? You Decide!

Folkestone West County Councillor Tim Prater is holding his second annual "You Decide" Day on 11th September at the Tower Theatre to give local residents the chance to decide which groups and projects should receive grant funding.

At the event people from local organisations are pitching for part of £18,000 of funding for Folkestone West projects and an audience is needed to help decide their fate. After a three minute presentation, the residents will be asked to rate the funding bid from one to five using electronic voting pads. The money is then allocated according to the scores received.

Who gets funded? You decide!

Folkestone West Kent County Council Councillor, Tim Prater, said:

"This money is for projects close to home, helping as many as possible. Who better than the people of Folkestone West to make the decisions about how much goes where? We want the meeting to be packed to the rafters and for the audience to judge each bid on its own merits and decide the project's fate.

"Where some County Councillors make these decisions themselves, I'm determined Folkestone West residents should be involved - it's not my money - it's OUR money."

The Folkestone West "You Decide" day was one of just four pilot schemes in Kent last year. Due to the success of the scheme, 11 councillors in Kent are now running "You Decide" days this year.

The event will run from 1pm on Saturday 11th September at The Tower Theatre, Folkestone, North Road, Shorncliffe, CT20 3HL. Light refreshments will be provided, and the event should end by 4pm.

Organisations seeking funding include: Sandgate Heritage Trust, Church Street Project, Valley Vipers Wheelchair Basketball Club, Reading By Colour, Songs and Noise, All Souls Church, Folkestone Invicta FC and Decuria Youth Club

There is no need to book a place: local residents can just turn up, hear about the projects, and vote. For more details about the event please contact Allison Allan at Kent County Council on 01622 694345 or email allison.allan@kent.gov.uk