Individuals and organisations are being invited to bid for a share of a £265,000 cash pot set aside to improve Spalding town centre.
Crime reduction strategies, a bandstand in Ayscoughfee Gardens, a town centre bus service and Spalding Water Taxi are just some of the projects being considered for grants using money left over from a cash contribution relating to the Springfields retail development.
Applicants have until the end of June to submit bids to be considered by a panel set up on behalf of South Holland District Council whose cabinet gave the go-ahead for the bidding process at a meeting on Tuesday.
Projects will be judged on their potential to promote and improve Spalding town centre, Springfields, and give value-for-money to residents, businesses and visitors.
Other criteria include evidence of need by a survey or questionnaire, a 12-month timescale for project completion, environmental benefits and match-funding arrangements with other funding groups.
A final decision on successful projects will be made by cabinet members in October and the process will continue until all the money is spent.
Details on the bidding process were outlined in a report to cabinet members by Mark Stanton, Economic Development Manager for the district council.
It said: “The Springfields Outlet Shopping Centre was completed in 2006 and as part of the planning conditions, developers were required to contribute funds towards the costs of providing community and social infrastructure, the need for which has arisen as a result of the development taking place.
“A proportion of the funding received from the Springfields development remains unspent and a number of proposals are likely to be received from the community for allocation of this funding.”