Community groups can bid for £1,000 to £7,500 for projects in 14 named neighbourhoods. Applications close 10am on 30 November; webinar 14 October.

Community groups in West Northamptonshire can now apply for grants of £1,000 to £7,500 from a new council Neighbourhood Fund.

The fund opened on Monday 5 October. Applications must be in by 10am on Monday 30 November. The council has not said how much money is in the pot or how many grants it expects to make.

The money is for projects that tackle priorities picked by the council’s five Local Area Partnerships. These bring together residents, local services and voluntary groups in each part of West Northamptonshire, with a focus on health and wellbeing.

Who can apply

The fund is open to:

  • voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations
  • town and parish councils
  • community groups developing a project or service with local residents

It can pay for a new project or for expanding one that already runs. It cannot pay to keep an existing service going as it is.

The council says every application must show:

  • which neighbourhood priority it addresses
  • how local people shaped the idea
  • real community engagement and participation
  • how the group will work with other organisations
  • how it builds on what is already in the neighbourhood

The 14 neighbourhood priorities

These are the priorities listed on the council’s Local Area Partnerships page, which was updated on the day the fund opened.

Area Place Priority
Northampton Central Kings Heath Stronger community connections, better use of the neighbourhood hub and community centre
Northampton Central Spring Boroughs Earlier help for families, financial resilience, chances for children and young people
Northampton Central Town centre and Semilong Less loneliness and isolation, better mental wellbeing
Northampton North and East St David’s and Kingsthorpe Older people staying connected, active and independent, including digital skills
Northampton North and East Blackthorn Skills, aspirations and access to jobs
Northampton North and East Bellinge More chances to meet, less isolation, healthy ageing
Northampton South and West Briar Hill More use of the community centre, activities for children and families
Northampton South and West Far Cotton and Delapré A more connected community, better access to local services
Rural North and West Southbrook, Daventry Financial wellbeing for families
Rural North and West Woodford Halse Local networks in a growing rural community
Rural North and West Rural North (location to be confirmed) Older people ageing well, less isolation
Rural South and East Deanshanger Children and young people’s relationships and mental wellbeing
Rural South and East Middleton Cheney Young people in community life, links between generations
Rural South and East Brackley Positive futures and healthy choices for young people

The council says the location of the Rural North priority “will be confirmed over the coming months”. The partnerships also work with inclusion groups across the area, including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

How to apply

There is no online form. You have to email for the application pack.

  • Get the form and guidance notes: email laps@westnorthants.gov.uk.
  • Webinar: 1pm on Wednesday 14 October, on Microsoft Teams. Register by emailing the same address by Monday 12 October and the council will send an invitation.
  • Deadline: 10am on Monday 30 November 2026.

Each area has a named council contact on the Local Area Partnerships page, which is worth a call before you write a bid. The Rural South and East post, covering Deanshanger, Middleton Cheney and Brackley, is listed as vacant, with lap@westnorthants.gov.uk given instead.

What it means for you

  • If you run a group in one of the 14 places above, this is money aimed at you. Check your idea fits the priority wording before you apply.
  • If your group already runs something, the fund will only pay to expand it or add to it, not to keep it going.
  • If you are a parish or town council, you are eligible too, as long as residents have shaped the project.
  • Tight on time? The webinar sign-up closes on Monday, two days from now.

Sources