New Mayor Promotes Strategic Partnerships

Beverley’s new Mayor, Councillor Linda Johnson, has started her Mayoral Year by helping to launch Beverley Town Council’s Strategic Partnership Grants.

For several years, the Town Council has supported a range of local groups, events and projects via a grants scheme. Successful applicants have shown how their work is beneficial to residents or the town as a whole. However, the Town Council has identified the need for continuing, strategic support to help on-going projects or recurring events.

Councillor Johnson said: “Following the difficult year we have all experienced with Covid-19, a major focus of my Mayoral year will be to raise the profile of local groups carrying out amazing work, whilst also encouraging people to work together as the pandemic hopefully comes to an end and the town opens up again. As a Town Council, we want to help with this, which is why we have developed a new Strategic Partnership Grants scheme, as we know a barrier to sustainability is often having to apply each and every year for funds, which means many organisations have to spend valuable time and effort simply making sure they can survive.”

The Strategic Partnerships are for established, ongoing projects, such as annual or bi-annual events, ongoing services and longer-term project delivery. Funding is agreed on a three-year rolling basis, reviewed annually. The maximum an applicant can apply for is £3,000 per year for three years. In addition to seeking funds, applicants are also encouraged to see how else the Town Council may be able to support them in other practical ways.

The Mayor explained: “When applying for a Strategic Partnership Grant, a group doesn’t even have to seek funding - if all they require is specific practical support this could be the total basis of a submission. However, we anticipate most applicants will seek a mix of financial and practical support. We want these to be true partnerships rather than just a funding stream, and Councillors are very enthusiastic about seeing how they can help you beyond just money.”

The Strategic Partnership Grants are aimed at groups that already have a track record of successful financial management. Because the funds from the Town Council come from the public purse, Councillors need to be satisfied that all grants will be well managed.

However, if you are a new group or this is the first time you are seeking support from the Town Council, the Small and General Grants Schemes are open to you. More information about these and the Partnerships, including applications forms, criteria and deadlines can be found at https://www.beverley.gov.uk/community-grants-scheme/.

Councillor Johnson concluded: “It is a great honour to be elected the 418 th Mayor of Beverley. My husband, Graham, will be my consort and we look forward to meeting local people who give so much back to the community. It never fails to amaze me how many groups and organisations there are, working hard to improve the lives of residents and help to make Beverley such a special place in which to live, work and visit. Alongside promoting these funding opportunities, if there is anything else I can do to help your organisation, please just ask. The Beverley community is coming out of the lockdown stronger than ever before and it is my privilege to serve the town as Mayor during this exciting period.”

If you would like to invite the Mayor to your event or want to seek their support, please email clerk@beverley.gov.uk or visit https://www.beverley.gov.uk/mayor-civic/

Photo - Cllr Linda Johnson in full Mayoral Regalia, accompanied by her husband and consort Mr Graham Johnson.

Credit Just Beverley.