Community groups in Dumbarton and the Vale are being invited to bid for up to £5,000 to help transform their local area as part of the Council’s Community Budgeting initiative.

There has already been significant investment in a broad range of community-led projects across West Dunbartonshire as part of three previous phases of the scheme.

As phase four launches, with a total fund of just over £150,000 on offer, the council's communities team are encouraging groups to participate and apply for funding.

As well as securing money to invest in valuable projects, groups will receive full support in completing their application from the communities team and West Dunbartonshire Community Volunteer Services.

Once all applications have been received, residents will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite ideas online or at a community budgeting event that will take place early in 2019.

Councillor Caroline McAllister, deputy leader and spokesperson for Community Empowerment, said: “Residents are at the heart of our decision-making process and this initiative gives us a great opportunity to continue our conversation with them about what is needed in each area.

"After all, they are the ones who live in these communities, and so have a better insight into where investment could make a real difference.

“In the last phases, many projects and communities benefitted, and I’m looking forward to seeing the ideas this time around.

"This is a great way to have your say about improvements.”

For further information on how to apply for funding or to discuss your idea, contact the communities team at communitybudgeting@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

If you need support completing your application, you can make an appointment by calling 01389 737000.

In addition to appointments during office hours, there will also be opportunities for residents to drop in for help and support at the following dates:

November 19 7pm-9pm Concord Centre, Dumbarton

November 20 7pm-9pm The Hub Clydebank

November 22 7-9pm Alexandria CE Centre

The closing date for applications is December 10 at 12pm.

In addition, if you have an idea that does not fit with the community funding criteria, officers can provide advice on alternative streams of funding.