The Devizes Area Board met on 19th June to discuss various matters of importance to residents across the wider Devizes area. I sit on it and represent The Lavingtons alongside six other councillors from across the area.
During the meeting I was honoured to be elected to vice-Chair of the board and look forward to helping drive the good work that we do as a local group. I continue to take the lead on the board’s “Children and Young People” initiatives and during the meeting I was able to share a video which I put together to demonstrate the projects we have championed over the last year or so. I am no Spielberg, Tarantino or Scorsese but if you do want to take a look at my attempt at an engaging video here it is:
As an update to previously shared grants, we have helped kick start youth clubs in Bromham, Great Cheverell and West Lavington with grants of more than £9,300. We’ve supported Parish Councils with improvements to play areas by donating more that £17,500. We supported local youth sports initiatives with grants of £9,950 and we assisted schools and church groups with grants of £5,400 for youth work and mentoring. In total, over the last year, the Devizes Area Board has awarded more than £57,000 in grants for local youth projects!
I answered a question during the meeting from a member of the audience who was quite critical about the level of spending that goes to youth services (in that there isn’t enough). I agree. More support needs to come from central Government and I continue to lobby for this within various forums both inside and outside of the Education sector.
Wherever the money comes from, as local councillors, we continue to direct it to good projects that positively impact local people within the Devizes area. Local passion and expertise is the best foundation to a successful community project and we will invest Wiltshire Council’s money to the projects you champion.
