News From Wiltshire Police – Oct 2013

Applications are now being taken for the second round of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s £1 million Innovation Fund.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson is looking to commission community and voluntary projects which aim to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and schemes supporting victims and vulnerable people in innovative ways.
The deadline for applications for the second funding tranche of £315,000 is 15 November 2013. It follows 12 projects being commissioned in July under the first funding round.

Mr Macpherson said: “I was delighted to commission a range of exciting projects through the first funding round and now seeing them progress. By funding those 12 projects we also helped to unlock £163,000 in match funding and I’m hoping a similar sum will be unlocked again during this round.
“I am now looking forward to receiving the next set of applications and supporting projects that help achieve my six main priorities and make a lasting difference in our communities.”
The Commissioner’s six main priorities are, working with communities are partners to:
* Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour
* Protect the most vulnerable in society
* Put victims and witnesses first
* Reduce offending and re-offending
* Drive up standards of customer service
* Ensure unfailing and timely response to calls for assistance
Mr Macpherson is also particularly looking for innovative new ideas that help to break cycles of crime and anti-social behaviour.
The £1 million Innovation Fund has been divided into three tranches as follows:
* £400,000 by 31 July 2013 in respect of applications received by 15 July 2013
* £300,000 by 30 November 2013 in respect of applications received by 15 November 2013
* £300,000 by 31 March 2014 in respect of applications received by 15 March 2014
£15,000 was not allocated in the first funding round, so this will be rolled-over making £315,000 available in this second funding round.
The Commissioner will consult with an advisory panel, made up of Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Pat Geenty, Swindon Borough Council Leader David Renard, Wiltshire Council Leader Jane Scott and The Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon, before deciding which applications to fund. A youth representative is also going to be invited to join the panel.
More information about the Innovation Fund, including a downloadable leaflet, application form, template grant agreement and details of successful first round applicants, is on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website – www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk.