Politics
Preston City Council Updates Community Grant Rules for Local Projects
Preston residents applying for small grants to support neighbourhood initiatives will encounter new eligibility criteria and reporting steps from September.
How we reported this
Preston City Council has revised its community grant programme, altering how neighbourhood groups access funding for local projects. The changes affect applications for amounts up to £5,000 that support activities such as street clean-ups, youth clubs and park improvements. Groups in wards including Ashton, Ribbleton and Deepdale now face stricter documentation requirements before funds are released.
Why the timing matters for Preston
The update arrives ahead of the council's next budget round, when allocations for voluntary organisations are reviewed. Council papers from June 2026 note that previous rounds distributed £312,000 across 78 projects. Residents who relied on these grants for equipment purchases or event costs will need to adjust their plans to meet the revised criteria.
Applications must now include detailed outcome measures and proof of community consultation. Groups planning events at locations such as Moor Park or the Harris Library will submit evidence that at least 50 local people support the proposal. This replaces the previous process that accepted shorter descriptions.
Direct effects on daily community work
Organisers in Fishwick have already delayed a planned summer sports day because the new forms require three separate signatures from nearby households. Similar projects in Lea and Cottam face added weeks for paperwork before funds arrive. The policy document states that payments will occur only after initial reports are filed, shifting cash flow for groups that buy supplies in advance.
The 2026 financial statements list £4.5 million for infrastructure maintenance, part of which supports grant-linked improvements. Residents who volunteer for these projects will notice longer approval times but clearer rules on what counts as a completed outcome.
Further guidance sessions are scheduled at the Town Hall on 15 July and 22 July. The council says the policy will apply to all new submissions after 1 September, with existing grants continuing under the old terms until completion.