The Budget had some cheering news for all sectors of the community and the news on unlocking personal pensions came as a surprise and the feedback I have received has been overall very positive.
I am pleased to report that a community grant has been awarded to help celebrate the Diamond Anniversary of Goffs Park this year.
Goffs Park is Crawley’s oldest park and the Council has awarded £600 to The Friends of Goffs Park, which will be used to fund a 60th anniversary event in the Goffs Park.
The event, will be held on Sunday 8th June, and will also mark the 10th Anniversary of the Friends of Goffs Park which is a voluntary organisation set up to help preserve, develop and improve the activities and facilities of the Park.
This grant is one of the community grants awarded to local not-for-profit organisations to help with projects, services and events for Crawley residents.
Twenty-one local voluntary and community groups have received new funding from the Council to help them deliver a range of services and projects in the town.
Crawley Arts Council and two organisations, the Crawley Festival and Crawley Mela have also received funding to enhance the entertainment for residents and visitors this summer.
The Play Areas of two pre-schools are also getting a makeover.
Other projects awarded in the Community Grants 2014/15 scheme include awards to address homelessness issues, help young children get the best start in life and support to provide local volunteering opportunities.
Also this week I attended on the 20th March the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards held at the Effingham Park Hotel.
The Gatwick Diamond is home to a vast range of businesses, which span all sectors of the economy, from household names to niche companies, and from multinationals to sole traders.
The Business Award Winners are those businesses or people who have shown innovation and inspiration in their work, and have demonstrated a real commitment to this world-class region.
The Winners were announced at this the 6th Annual Awards.
The Headline Sponsors are Gatwick Airport, Nestle & RBS.
I was pleased to present the Green Business of the Year Award which was sponsored by the Borough Council and which was won by the University of Brighton.
Firms and businesses located in the Borough made up 13 of the 42 nominations and secured 6 of the 14 awards which confirms Crawley’s standing in the Gatwick Diamond.