WEEKLY COLUMN by Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie 

BACK in October I urged local groups to look at applying to the government’s Community Ownership Fund that allows communities to buy and run local amenities like pubs or village halls in danger of closure.

The £150 million initiative is offering several rounds for groups to apply to save an asset as part of the government’s levelling up agenda.

Individual organisations can submit applications and money is awarded to bids that meet the criteria of making a genuine and meaningful difference to communities.

Match funding levels have been lowered from 50% to 20% and the funding cap increased to £2 million in the latest round.

I have been supporting several local projects to help communities buy and run much-loved assets such as the Sub Rooms, Berkeley library, Fromehall Mill and the Old Neighbourhood Inn at Chalford Hill.

I am keen for Nympsfield to apply for their village hall too if they can.

In fact, I mentioned some projects in parliament this week when I asked about the next rounds of the Community Ownership Fund.

On a similar theme, I have spoken to the levelling up secretary Michael Gove about having a dedicated part of the fund for playgrounds and I have spoken to Stinchcombe Parish Council about this.

This fund is particularly good because it puts power and funding into the hands of local people and not just via councils.

Many thanks and a shout out to Berkeley Town Council for letting me be part of the Christmas lights switch on. It was great fun and my kids really enjoyed it. And well done to Stroud for its successful goodwill evening. The photographs looked beautiful.

Small Business Saturday took place at the weekend and I hope everyone was able to go out and support our precious independent shops of which we are lucky to have so many in our towns across the district.

We also need investment in our town centres to support shops and I am continuing that work with the government and councils.