For the last decade the Brookfield Shiers Family Trust has been managed by the Council under the direction of councillors from the Cheadle Area Committee for the benefit of residents. The original bequest was £191,100. That investment has grown to £245,548, but is still a real-terms fall in value.

The councillors have always taken the view that this money was not to be frittered away and the informal policy has been not to spend any until it was growing in real terms (i.e. above inflation).

However, we took the view this time that, in light of the economic problems we all face, it was right to release a small amount and invite local voluntary organisations to bid for the money. That decision was not unanimous, though I felt it was the right approach on balance.

We’ve decided to make up to £5,000 available. Local organisations will be able to bid for the money in a similar way to how local flexibility funding is bid for. There will probably be a maximum set for any single bid – I’d think around £1,000.

I’ll publish more information when I have it. For now, consider if you’d like to bid for some money but nothing’s going to happen immediately so no rush.

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