Evesham Town Council is hosting a public meeting as part of the consultation process in relation to New Homes Bonus (NHB) funding.

As previously advertised local people and councillors in Evesham were asked to submit projects that they thought would meet the criteria for New Homes Bonus spending. The Council subsequently reviewed 14 projects and from that have put forward 11 for consultation.

The meeting will take place 16th October at 6.30pm at Evesham Town Hall

The projects put forward for consultation are:

· Evesham Cricket Club – Funding for a new cricket square as part of their relocation to a new ground off Cheltenham Road

· Enlighten Evesham – Funding for the next phase of the Enlighten Evesham lighting trail

· Evesham Riverside Shopmobility – Funding for new scooters

· Transition Vale Evesham – Growing the Vale Way

· Wallace House Community Centre – Enhancements to the centre including new windows and boiler

· Bengeworth Community hall (Church House) – Enhancements to the hall

· Prince Henry’s High School Academy Trust – Improved community and disabled parking facilities for the Arts Centre and Cricket Centre

· Avon Navigation Trust – Evesham lock activity centre

· St Andrew’s C of E School – Community Hub building

· The Vale of Evesham Civic Society – Town Centre map display signage

· Evesham Town Council – Battleton Brook ‘Natural Networks’ project

Each of the projects will be do a short presentation to those in attendance explaining their project and why it should get NHB funding. There will be a questionnaire to complete in order to provide feedback on each project. This is not about giving support to one over another, you can give your support for all the projects should you wish.

Stuart Carter, Evesham Town Clerk said ‘the Town Council are really keen to hear what the people of Evesham think about each of these projects. Consultation forms an important part of the process and we are keen to hear from as many people as possible, even those who cannot attend on the night. We hope to have representatives from all of the projects at the event so it is sure to be very informative’.

Those unable to attend the consultation evening will be able to take part and have their say via an online questionnaire that will be put on the Town Council website with information on each project. It is also planned to go out and consult with residents on Market day.

The results of the consultation will be considered by the Council and assist them in their decision as to whether to formally submit each project to Wychavon District Council for NHB funding.

What is New Homes Bonus?

The government introduced the New Homes Bonus in April 2011. The bonus was designed to ensure that the economic benefits of housing growth are returned to the councils and communities where that growth takes place. For every new home built and occupied in Wychavon, and every long-term empty home brought back into use, the government gives Wychavon District Council (WDC) a non-ring fenced New Homes Bonus grant each year for six years.