The Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, which uses straw and woodchip to generate renewable electricity for homes and businesses in the area, has awarded its first grants from its £125,000 Community Power Fund.

The Sleaford Renewable Energy Community Power Fund, which was established earlier this year, is giving money to the Ewerby Village Reading Room to upgrade the hall’s electrics and to Heckington Methodist Church to support the upgrade of its community hall that is heavily used by local groups, including local Scouts and Brownie/Guides groups.

Both applications were approved by an independent panel, consisting of local councillors from North Kesteven District Council, representatives of the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, and two people who live and work in the local area – the Reverend Philip Johnson, the Vicar of Sleaford and Rural Dean, and Caty Collier of Volunteer Centre Services NK. The panel is chaired by Councillor Mervyn Head of NKDC.

The Community Power Fund was set up by the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, which since the start of June 2020, is owned by Greencoat Capital. The Power Fund is seeking to build upon the success of the power plant’s previous community benefit programme, which supported a range of environmental, education, sporting, cultural and community projects between 2014 and 2019, within Sleaford and the parish of Kirby la Thorpe.

Cllr Mervyn Head, Chairman of the funding panel, said: "The Renewable Energy Plant has become an integral part of the daily life in North Kesteven and it plays an important part in reducing the carbon footprint of the District.  We look forward to a continuing close relationship with Greencoat Capital, the new owners of the plant.

“I’m very pleased that the new panel was able to meet – virtually of course but in full accordance with our constitution – to determine our first grants which will make a significant difference to the fortunes of these two valuable community facilities and enable them to progess their plans as soon as they are able.”

The Power Fund, which is administered by North Kesteven District Council, has been set up by the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant to support local groups within a five-mile radius of the plant, and is happy to receive individual applications for up to £5,000. The Power Fund will be allocating £25,000 per annum over the next five years.

For more information about the Fund, please visit: https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/residents/living-in-your-area/localism-your-community/community-funding/ or contact the Partnerships Team at North Kesteven District Council on 01529 414155 or email [email protected]