All six applications to Alton Town Council for a Community Grant were approved when it met on January 10.

Alton Community Association requested £8,000 to support all its current services and new projects that are planned.

Alton Stroke Support Group asked for £500 to promote its new weekly meetings, including printing costs, directing stroke survivors to the group and hiring a room at Cardiac Rehab for ten weeks.

Bushy Leaze Family Support wanted £10,000 as a contribution towards its 2024-25 staff salary costs, specifically those of one of its family support workers.

Home-Start Hampshire (Alton) made a bid for £5,000 to provide family support visits and recruit, train and support local volunteers.

The Friendship Café requested £1,130 to address social disconnection by creating opportunities for social interaction through activities such as quizzes, music, crafts, films and horticulture.

Victim Support asked for £100 to enable trained supporters to talk confidentially to people who have been victims of crime. Two councillors voted against this application.

There was also an Event Grant application for £500 from Jane Austen Regency Week, to go towards the costs of the Alton Regency Day and Market, which was agreed unanimously.

At a budget workshop on December 13 a draft Community Grants budget of £30,000 was requested for 2024-25.

Councillors reviewed the applications at a briefing workshop on January 3, and the seven grants approved totalled £25,230.

Grants of more than £2,000 will be paid in two instalments.