Info Magazine

Rates During the 2018/19 financial year we have already supported over 420 new and existing community, cultural and sporting groups and organisations with over £265,000 to deliver programmes and projects that will benefit their local communities. We have awarded over 100 bursaries totalling £13,000 to individuals to support them as they pursue excellence in the fields of Culture, Art and Sport. The final grant call for 2018/19 closed on 27 September, with 214 applications received. Grants prove a runaway success! 16 in-FO in Fermanagh & Omagh | Winter 2018 17 www. fermanaghomagh .com Land & Property Services (LPS), part of the Department of Finance, is urging tenants and homeowners to check their eligibility for the new Rate Rebate Scheme. The scheme entitles ratepayers in receipt of Universal Credit to a rebate on their rates and is being rolled out in conjunction with Universal Credit across Northern Ireland. To apply for Rate Rebate, the tenant or homeowner must be of working age, in receipt of Universal Credit and live in the property. Tenants or homeowners can only make a claim for Rate Rebate once awarded Universal Credit and any claim should be made as soon as possible following their first payment of Universal Credit. Ratepayers urged to avail of Rate Rebate Claims should be made within three months to ensure no partial loss of any subsequent award. Visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/homeowners-and- tenants-applying-for-rate-rebate for eligibility information on the new Rate Rebate for homeowners, tenants in social housing and private rented housing. Rate Rebate is a very straightforward online application through nidirect. Claimants register for an online account using their own email address and following registration make their online application. Please also check the NI Direct website for details of consultations about valuations and other changes to the rates in Northern Ireland. Claimants can obtain further details and apply directly online at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/rate-rebate-scheme or call Land & Property Services on 0300 200 7802 Grants An example of how the community has benefited is Killesher Community Development Association who received a grant of £750 (jointly funded by Sport NI Everybody Active 2020 and Fermanagh & Omagh District Council). They organised a running programme for beginners: “Couch to 5k”. This involved arranging a safe off-road place for 25 people to meet and start their fitness journey together. Meeting twice a week, they gradually built up their running levels and celebrated the end of the programme by completing the Dromore 5k and Enniskillen Park Run events. In their own words: “This was a brilliant opportunity to have a couch to 5k programme delivered in our local area. I achieved so much with support from the group and our coach.” “I met new people and made new friends, I got fitter, lost some weight and now have the running bug. Fantastic!” “The venue was local and very accessible. The running group created a little community within our community!” “The programme has meant that I now run 5k weekly, which before the programme would not have been possible.” The Round 1 call for 2019/20 is scheduled to open in January 2019; please check the Council website for updates. i i Businesses can register their interest in becoming a Council supplier by completing the Council’s Supplier Registration Formwhich is available online: www.fermanaghomagh.com/tenders/register-as-a-supplier-for-quotations/ or by calling the Procurement Team on 0300 303 1777. 2018 Dromore 10/5k Could you do business with the Council?