Cash for climate change projects in North Devon

Parishes with less than 1,000 residents in North Devon are being urged to apply for climate change project grants.

So far only six parishes out of 37 eligible have received money from a scheme for parish councils set up by North Devon Council in 2020.

Some £60,000 was set aside for a three year period but only a third of that has been allocated because not enough applications have been received.

Councillors agreed to re-introduce the scheme for 2024/25 using the £40,000 left over, instead of putting it back into its reserves.

Projects have to be sustainable and look to improve the environment or tackle climate change issues such as reducing carbon or improving biodiversity.

These could include 'wilding' open spaces, wild flower meadows, more sustainable approaches to graveyards and renewable energy projects.

There will be two funding rounds with deadlines of 31 August 2024 and 31 January 2025.