Purpose

This report seeks approval to award grants from available funding with the Council’s Community Grants budget, to support two community led tree planting projects.  The two projects are: (1) Kent Friends of Trees, seeking a grant of £14,358 and (2) Shepway Trees, seeking a grant of £2,500.

Decision

DECISION:

1. 1.          Approve a community grant of £14,358 to Kent Friends of the Trees.
2. 2.          Approve a community grant of £2,500 to Shepway Trees.
3. 3.          Note that appropriate grant agreements and project monitoring will be put in place.

Reasons for decision:

The proposal requires a decision to allocate funding from approved budgets. The proposal supports the Corporate Plan 2025–2030 themes of community and nature, the Council’s Carbon Action Plan priorities for biodiversity, greenspaces and community engagement, and the District Wide Carbon Strategy 2026 pillar on greater carbon absorption and biodiversity.