An Oxfordshire town council has supported local community groups with grants of £100,000 in the last financial year.

During the 2023-24 council year which ended in May, Witney Town Council pledged £98,000 through its community grants scheme.

Larger grants were provided to West Oxfordshire Community Transport to help fund the Witney town bus service, The Station Detached Youth Service, which was set up to support young people in the town, Home Start for very young children and their families, and to Witney Music Festival which supports local performers, businesses and provides a live music festival in the heart of Witney.

At the other end of the scale, gardening vouchers were provided to local schools for the Schools In Bloom competition and community gardening groups towards their small gardening areas.

Leader of Witney Town Council Ruth Smith (Image: Witney Town Council)

The council also funded projects supporting Forest School sessions, and groups such as Witney Buttercross Scouts, Windrush Bike Project, Witney Town Band, Witney Museum, Witney Pride and many more.

The Labour-led town council offers subsidised letting of its public halls and outdoor venues for community social events and has also recently launched a £50 for Fifty scheme, offering £50 grants to up to 50 smaller groups to mark the council’s 50th anniversary.

Council leader Ruth Smith said: “The town council is uniquely placed to fund projects that try to fill the gaps in our community.

"We are particularly proud to fund meaningful innovations for our young people, our more vulnerable residents and our town's nature and biodiversity.

"In the council's 50th year, look out for the rich and wonderful breadth of community groups that share their work in the forthcoming 50 for 50 grants.”