GROUPS and organisations seeking community grants from Swindon Borough Council will have to apply using a new method designed to ensure a greater level of accountability.

A fund of £75,000 exists to pay for various local activities events around the town such as local festivals and community group activities.

But a review of the system recently concluded there were a number of flaws, so a new form has been designed to make it clearer to councillors there is a community benefit to granting the money.

The review showed it was often the same groups taking up the maximum amount of the grant each year.

And it was often not clear how much many of the activities contributed to the council’s aims or locally-identified priorities.

Ward councillors, who are tasked on making the decide whether to approve the grants, were often given little information to help themdecide and there was often not enough feedback on the success of the event.

Therefore, a new application has been developed which will require more information to show the money is being spent in the right place.

While the same amount still remains available, applicants will be limited to £1,000 over a two-year period, except in exceptional circumstances.

The aim of the grant is to ensure many important projects which need money but lack the funds can go ahead – but its spending must be justified.

A council spokesman said: “The Grants Fund supports the council’s commitment to the wide variety of voluntary and community activities that are active all across the Borough of Swindon, which make a real and positive contribution to people’s lives.

“The fund for 2015-16 is now open and the council is looking to fund and support suitable proposals.

“The Grants Fund was updated this year to provide opportunities for smaller organisations to apply for funding that can make a difference to the wider work of the council in promoting community networks, community-based help and support and projects or activities that provide for the most vulnerable in our communities.

“Last year, many groups received funding ranging from £200 to £1000. These included a contribution to the refurbishment of Liddington Village Hall, Swindon Pride festival, funding for Toothill Scouts for local planting, and the Old Town Little Big Festival.”

Details of how to apply for the grants and the conditions can be found at www.swindon.gov.uk/communitygrants.