Unused Devon funds to support local projects

More than £53,000 of unspent grant money from former Devon county councillors is being redirected into two new funding pots to benefit local communities and young people.

The money comes from locality budgets – annual grants of £8,000 given to each of Devon’s 60 county councillors to support local projects and activities. Normally, any leftover funds carry over into the next financial year. But in election years, unspent cash doesn’t transfer to the new councillor for that ward. Instead, it’s reallocated.

A spokesperson for Devon County Council explained:
“The unspent funds are being redirected into the soon-to-be relaunched Growing Communities Fund, which helps support local community projects, and into a brand new Youth Fund – ‘Places to Go, Things to Do’ – designed for groups working with 11–25 year olds.”

Both funds will be open to community groups, charities, and community interest companies. The aim is to back projects that provide positive opportunities for residents, with a particular focus on young people.

The last version of the Growing Communities Fund offered grants of up to £3,000, and the council says details of the new schemes will be announced soon.