HAMPSHIRE County Council’s ‘Have Your Say’ scheme, which involves local people in community decisions, has been extended to cover the Test Valley.

Have Your Say provides funding for local projects that have been chosen and then voted for by local people.

The first Have Your Say grants have already been distributed to local Gosport projects by The Community Safety Partnership through their YOUdecide programme.

Now projects in Test Valley have the opportunity to apply for a share of £17,500.

C o u n c i l l o r Keith Mans, executive member for Communities at H a m p s h i r e County Council, said: “Have Your Say is an important way for people in Hampshire to have a direct involvement in how communities are run.

“It gives local people a real voice in how money is spent in their area and encourages small scale grass roots community projects.

“It’s a great way to improve their local environment and strengthen their community.”

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council and Vice Chairman of the Test Valley Strategic Partnership, Councillor Ian Carr, said: “I am delighted as the Have Your Say scheme will complement i n i t i a t i v e s already implemented by the council.

“ T h e s e include the introduction of local budgets and community empowerment work we are undertaking as part of the Local Government Authority’s Keep it Real programme.

“Details of the scheme, including how you can apply for it, will be announced shortly.”