The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Neston Community Fund Launched to Support Vital Projects

Vital community projects in Neston and District have been given a boost with the launch of a fund backed by local businesses.

The Neston & District Community Fund has been set up to support community and voluntary groups in Neston, Little Neston, Parkgate, Burton, Ness, Willaston and Puddington.

Four businesses - Phillip Bates & Co Ltd, Clive Watkin Partnership, Rightway and G Tilby Engineering - have launched the fund with a substantial initial donation. The Fund is now looking for other businesses and individuals to become donors in order to grow the amount of money available to support deserving causes.

Founders of Neston & District Community Fund (l-r) Guy Tilby, Phil Bates, David Clarke and Ian Mellor.  Photo by Bernard Rose.

It also wants to hear from charitable organisations and community groups in need of funding to support specific projects.

Phil Bates, Principal at Phillip Bates & Co accountants, said: "All four founding businesses are long established in Neston & District and believe passionately in the importance of supporting the local community.

"The Neston & District Community Fund is about ensuring local money goes to local causes."

David Clarke, Managing Director of Rightway and Chair of Neston & District Chamber of Trade, said: "We hope this is the start for all businesses locally, both national and independent, to give back to our community.

"The aim of the fund is to develop the strongest possible relationship between local business and the surrounding community."

The fund is administered by Cheshire Community Foundation, enabling it to secure additional funding from other funds operating in Cheshire. Helen O'Donnell, Chief Executive of Cheshire Community Foundation, said: "We are delighted to be able to support the launch of the Neston & District Community Fund.

"The Foundation aims to inspire local philanthropy, build local endowment and invest money in local grass roots organisations. We help people who want to give back to the places in which they live and do business by connecting them to the local community and helping them invest in that community in an intelligent and impactful way."

Since Cheshire Community Foundation was founded in 2012, more than £1.3million has been given in grants with in excess of £250,000 going to causes in Cheshire West and Chester.

If you are interested in becoming a business or individual donor, please contact any of the four founders of the Neston & District Community Fund:

- Phillip Bates: 0151 353 0003
- Clive Watkin: 0151 336 7070
- Rightway: 0151 353 1500
- G Tilby Engineering: 0151 336 2339

If you would like to apply for a grant, please call Alison Tansey at Cheshire Community Foundation on 01606 330607.

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Comments

Robin H

At 11:19 on 3rd February 2015, Robin H commented:

It's really good to see such commitment from locally-based businesses keen to support Neston by encouraging third sector initiative. I hope others will join in so it builds into a force for change. Turning the idea on its head though, is there a case for a similar initiative to incentivise small business start-ups in the area? The draft Neston Neighbourhood Plan identifies growth in small businesses as one of the ways we can grow prosperity. A development fund for them could kick-start the process. Perhaps CWaC could take the lead?

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Dave Carter

At 15:25 on 3rd February 2015, Dave Carter commented:

CW&C have an arrangement with Blue Orchid, see here:

http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/business/starting_a_new_business/starting_a_business_in_west_ch/start-up_grant_criteria.aspx

I have it on good authority that at least one business which now advertises regularly on this site got going with the help of such a grant.

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Robin H

At 21:06 on 3rd February 2015, Robin H commented:

Yes, I know and I think there's some council tax relief as well for businesses that have separate premises, not all do. I had in mind something more directed and coordinated aimed specifically at Neston within the strategy proposed by the draft Neighbourhood Plan and it might involve development money from philanthropic, national and European sources as well as CwaC - but I'm not an expert. As far as I can see CWaC's current strategy for Rural West contains only the most general aspirations and says nothing specifically relevant to Neston and District which is, after all, the biggest Rural West settlement, dissimilar in many respects to places like Malpas or Tarporley. As a start we need them to change that.

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Paul D

At 18:32 on 4th February 2015, Paul D commented:

What a fantastic innovative initiative! I wish you every success in your endeavours.

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