COMMUNITY projects in the South Ham and Buckskin ares of Basingstoke are in line for a funding boost – if they can get enough public support.

A £10,000 pot has been made available by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Sovereign Housing Association, as part of the Neighbourhood Partnership for each area.

‘Your Community, Your Choice’ aims to provide assistance to voluntary and community organisations in the borough by awarding grants of up to £2,000 to help them deliver sustainable projects in the Buckskin and South Ham areas.

Residents in both communities will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite projects between 3pm and 7pm on January 29 at the Westside Community Centre, Paddock Road in South Ham, and at the Ridgeway Centre, Blackdown Close, in Buckskin.

The Neighbourhood Partnership involves representatives from community associations, community planning groups, faith groups, borough and county councillors and agencies such as Sovereign Housing Association, the North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the police.

This partnership aims to enable local people to influence and improve the quality of life for their community.

For projects to get council funding, they need to demonstrate that they are providing a service or activity which has been identified as being needed by residents, improving the health and wellbeing of the community, strengthening community-based activities or enhancing the local environment.

The deadline for applications for grants is January 7, and these will be considered by the Neighbourhood Partnership. Local residents will then have their say, deciding which projects will most benefit their community and will receive funding after an election-style vote.

Councillor Hayley Eachus, borough cabinet member for community services, said: “This funding means that the community gets a real say in both what it needs and also what it gets in terms of community projects, which is at the heart of the Neighbourhood Partnership.”

To apply for a grant, or for more information on the Neighbourhood Partner-ship, call 01256 844844.