COMMUNITY schemes are missing out on vital funds because they are failing to apply for cash donations.
More than £13,000 was up for grabs at a Lancashire Local Ribble Valley meeting in Longridge to support voluntary activities across the Ribble Valley.
But only 12 schemes from across the Ribble Valley put forward applications for the much-needed cash and County Coun Chris Holtom said more needed to be done to get people to come forward.
Coun Holtom said: "The theme of the evening was money but there was definitely a sense of disappointment as I feel a lot of local people are missing out on money because community groups are simply not plugging into the right networks.
"It may be the case that these groups are not aware that this money is being given away in grants.
"But Lancashire Local Ribble Valley has tried to promote these grants in local forums, parish councils and libraries. But to no avail. It is very frustrating as I feel local groups, councils and ultimately the people their serve are missing an important opportunity."
A sub-committee has been set up to consider the Gateway Grant applications.
The Lancashire County Council body awards grants to organisations supporting the general well-being of society. The grants can be used towards project running costs, salaries and training.
The Ribble Valley Lancashire Local approved two major climate change grants.
They were for Lancashire Wildlife Trust which was awarded £10,000 for its plans to build a peat bog and Ribble Valley Community Transport, which received £14,000 to create a much needed drop-off and pick-up service for the community known as The Little Green Bus.
The next meeting of Lancashire Local Ribble Valley will be on June 4 at Whalley Abbey, Whalley, at 6pm.
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