Almost $70,000 in community grants have been made by Franklin Local Board, but the funds come with a warning.
Board chair Angela Fulljames says with funding for boards not confirmed until Auckland Council’s annual budget is in place, there will likely be no grants next year.
“Due to likely changes to our funding, the future of our grants won’t be confirmed until July.
“We need to advise community groups that discretionary, school pool, waterways and rates remissions grants are unlikely in 2023-24.”
She says it’s disappointing when the groups that seek funding all do worthwhile work.
“Sometimes it isn’t the largest grants that catch your eye. In this round we awarded $2500 to Whitford Playcentre to top up the bark in the playground. Without the grant, the centre would run the risk of not complying with Early Childhood Education rules, which might put its future at risk, which would be devastating for the parents and children who use it.”
At Waiuku, $5100 has been granted to the Museum Society.
“That will be used for materials and repair costs to replace weatherboards, rebuild the doorway, and the outside stairs at The Gaol,” board Waiuku representative Sharlene Druyven says.
“It’s going to be difficult to tell good people from groups that rely on grants that there may not be any next year.”
And just one of 13 multi-board grants – where groups operate in more than one board area - was approved, and then only partially. The board granted $11,543 to the Pohutukawa Coast Bike Club towards building three trails to complete the Maraetai mountain bike park.
Other grants
- Auckland hang gliding, $755, pothole repairs
- Auranga Town Centre, $8993, Symphony by the Lake
- Bloom Pukekohe, $9833.45 equipment for Pukekohe premises
- Franklin Fuchsia Group, $611, venue hire
- Knitting Grannies, $3000, wool for baby garments
- Pukekohe Lions, $5233, Plunket Car Seat Appeal
- Puni School, $7405, Multicutural Festival
- Road Safety Education Limited, $1950, supporting young drivers
- Pohutukawa Rotary, $4500, Te Puru Fun Run
- RSA Franklin, $2373 furniture reupholstery
- Special Olympics, $4070 venue and other costs
- Pukekohe North School, $5031, kapa haka uniforms
- Well Women Franklin, $7030 Pukekohe programme costs.
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