HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds are up for grabs in a community fund scheme.

Braintree Council is making £600,000 available to help community and voluntary groups create, improve and develop new community assets in Halstead.

Voluntary groups can now bid for funding for community projects in the town.

The council is looking for applications from voluntary, faith, community, and social enterprise groups and not-for-profit organisations in the Halstead area.

This fund is for the benefit of the town and places within a three-mile radius.

Applicants must complete an application form giving details of the organisation and a business case setting out details of the project which needs funding.

Applications should be for a minimum of £10,000. There is no maximum other than what is available in the fund at the time of the application.

This money is for capital funding only, and can be used for a variety of projects, such as construction of a new building, the purchase of land, electronic hardware or vehicles.

Applications will be decided by a panel of councillors.

Braintree Council communities boss Frankie Ricci said: "This fund will be a vital tool to support voluntary groups and organisations that are well placed to take on projects that will benefit Halstead residents.

“We’re keen to ensure the funding is invested in the area to support the delivery of new and improved local services to meet the needs of the whole community.”

Applications opened on January 9 and will remain open for six weeks.

Any applications after the February 20 closing date will not be considered. 

If the total fund is not allocated as part of the application process, a second round may be staged by the council.

For more information or to apply, visit bit.ly/3CDmLTp.