Article by:
Mat Growcott
Talented and gifted young people can apply for a new bursary – started after a cut in councillors' allowance saved almost £250,000.
Telford & Wrekin Council has launched the Leader and Cabinet Members’ Young Person Bursary, which it hopes will support and help children and young people living in the borough.
The scheme will provide grants of up to £1,000 per young person, which the council said it hoped would enable them to pursue their goals and aspirations and fulfil their potential.
It is being funded by money saved from reductions to cabinet allowances. Since 2011, the council’s cabinet has chosen to forgo 10 per cent of their special responsibility allowance.
Councillor Shaun Davies, the leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “It’s great that we will be able to use this money that has been saved to help encourage and promote educational, cultural and sporting excellence in the borough.
"Talented and gifted local young people will be given the opportunity to really fulfil their ambitions with this fund.”
Applications were opened on Thursday for the new scheme, which is open to all children and young people up to the age of 25 who are residents in Telford and Wrekin and have been identified as gifted, talented, excellent or exceptional by their teacher, professional worker or mentor in education, training, employment, sport, arts, culture, dance or music.
The closing date for applications is July 31. All applications must be in by 5 pm.
Children and young people who do not live in the borough of Telford & Wrekin will not be eligible, and private organisations and groups are not able to apply.
A funding panel will consider all applications received and will then make the decisions for the awards. The successful applicants will then be informed in writing and the money sent to them at the start of the next academic year.
Those interested in applying can fill in an online form at telford.gov.uk
Alternatively, those interested can telephone 01952 380320.
In 2011, when Labour took over the authority, it reduced the amount that councillors could claim by 10 per cent.
To date, along with a freeze on allowances, it has saved £242,742.
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