Interest free loan chance for community projects

COMMUNITY cricketers and lower league footballers are among those to have benefitted from an interest-free loan scheme run by Swansea Council.

The last batch of loans included £9,000 to help Clydach Cricket Club replace their clubhouse roof and £5,000 to Loughor Rovers AFC to help towards new changing rooms.

A loan of £20,000 was also given to the Swansea Community Boat Trust for the purchase of the Community Boat that now runs trips along the River Tawe from Swansea Marina.

The scheme will reopen for applications in June and groups interested are being urged to make contact.

Manselton Community Centre, Swansea Little Theatre and Reynoldston Village Hall are among the other groups to have benefitted in the past.

Organisations eligible for a loan must be a voluntary and not-for-profit group that's constituted mainly for cultural and recreational purposes. A maximum of £10,000 and a minimum of £500 can be applied for over a maximum repayment period of 10 years.

Only the capital costs of a project will be eligible.

Cllr Alan Robinson, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Community Regeneration, said: "This is a fantastic scheme that's benefitted a huge variety of community organisations across Swansea since being incepted.

"It means groups can apply for match-funding or a one-off loan to undertake a project that will benefit the community but with no interest accruing during the repayment period.

"A successful application to the scheme can help these groups save money in the long-term and offer funding relatively quickly for organisations looking to get a project off the ground."

Call Sue Reed at Swansea Council's Community Recreation department on sue.reed@swansea.gov.uk or 01792 635415 for more information

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