Hamilton South Parish Church has used much of a £2000 award from the fund to buy new equipment for the church hall kitchen.

As the facility is used as everything from a café to a training facility by the wider community, it’s hoped hundreds will benefit from the latest grant.

Hamilton South stakeholders initially organised pop-up events to gather ideas from local people about projects they would like to see funded through the Participatory Budgeting (PB) process.

More than 400 people cast their vote on nine suggestions - either online or in person - from which six were fully funded, and three part-funded, based on share of vote.

Buying new equipment for the hall was a popular choice, according to the Church’s Ian Jacques:

“Hamilton South Parish Church is home to a variety of activities including a lunch club, brownies, guides, support groups, and dancing classes. The attendees to the group access all areas of the church hall and use the facilities, including our kitchen.

“The money from the PB fund is incredibly welcome and will make a tangible difference to the community we have built here.”

Council Leader and Chair of the Community Planning Partnership, Councillor Joe Fagan, said: “It’s clear that in Hamilton Parish Church, local people have created a community hub, designed to meet the needs of many groups and individuals.

“As ever, it’s this community-led approach that makes the PB process so unique; it genuinely hands the decision-making power to those ideally placed to identify local priorities.

“I thank and congratulate everyone, both in our communities and in the council, who work hard together to foster such a spirit of democracy and togetherness.”

More information about Participatory Budgeting is available from the community planning website.