A NUMBER of projects and initiatives are set to receive a total of more than £200,000 of financial support in the New Forest.

The windfall is set to come from New Forest District Council (NFDC) in the form of community grants, if approved by cabinet on Wednesday.

Following the agreement of new robust criteria, 23 applications were made, with 19 of these giving a presentation to members of a task and finish group.

James Binns, NFDC portfolio holder for leisure and wellbeing, said: “We’re spending £218,000 on community grants which I think is a great thing.

“There are some excellent organisations who work with young people, the elderly and people with disabilities, and I’m really pleased we are able to support them.”

In the cabinet report, it does note the growing number of applications for support and the high sums some applicants are seeking to obtain. Members of the community overview and scrutiny panel put forward a suggestion alongside the review of the draft grant amounts.

The report says: “In light of the increasing number of applications and the high sums of money being sought from applicants, set against the increasing pressure on the council’s finances, the panel recommended that a comprehensive review of the community grants process and eligibility criteria be reviewed in advance of the 2018 application deadline.”

Schemes set to gain support from the council include Ringwood-based Forest Forge Theatre, which has been earmarked for £28,000, and charity Community First New Forest, which across three grants is set to receive a total of £57,500.

If the proposals put forward to cabinet are agreed a total of £218,020 will be given in the form of community grants by NFDC in 2018/19.

However, the task and finish group recommends that large funding requests for £100,000 from Lymington Community Association, £125,000 from Ringwood Social Club and £450,000 from Sway Village Hall all not be supported.

As part of the interview process groups were asked to explain how their request would benefit and meet the news of residents in the New Forest.

After this the task and finish group reviewed all the information submitted and put before them during the presentations, before formulating a recommendation for each grant request.

Cabinet members are set to discuss the grant funding and recommendations put to them at a meeting on Wednesday before making a final decision on whether the funding should be included in the 2018 budget.