Cotswold Journal

Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has announced more than £50,000 in grant funding to improve safety and wellbeing in the Cotswolds.

It follows a bid to Martin Surl’s Community Fund, led by Cotswold District Council, which will see at least 11 statutory and voluntary sector organisations working together to deliver a package of seven projects which all contribute to the Commissioner’s priorities for a safer Gloucestershire.

A large element of the programme builds on the findings of recent research commissioned by Cotswold District Council into loneliness among older people.

Among the projects to benefit is Cotswold Volunteers in the south of the district and Cotswold Volunteers North in Moreton. Both organisations will use some of the funding to work with other community transport providers to better coordinate and seek longer-term funding for convenient, accessible and affordable transport options.

Younger people in the Cotswolds will benefit from the grant with the extension of Cotswold District Council’s already successful Get Active! project to the northern parts of the Cotswolds.

Dog-owners will be able to get their pets micro-chipped for free and will receive information and advice on responsible dog ownership at special events being held by Cotswold District Council, in advance of new legislation coming into force in 2016.

And local cycling, motorcycling and horse riding organisations will be working alongside Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire Police and the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership to design a campaign promoting respect between all road users.

Mr Surl said: “This is the essence of my Police and Crime Plan – a brilliant project that involves a number of statutory and voluntary organisations working together to improve their own communities. “It will also help and support a wide number of vulnerable groups that are identified in the plan. Funding is phased over three years to help with planning and provide some stability”.

Councillor Carole Topple, the CDC Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, added: “We are extremely grateful to Martin Surl and we’re delighted to have secured this funding on behalf of local partners.

“I believe that this ambitious package of projects will be of great benefit to Cotswold residents, ranging from young people who want to have fun, learn new skills and make a difference in their community to older people who want to get out and about to socialise.

“There’s also something here for dog owners, parents of young children and everyone who uses our roads.

“Officers at the Council will be working hard over the next few weeks to get these projects off the ground and I’m sure residents will hear more about them as they develop.”