Torbay’s Mayor Gordon Oliver is once again personally pledging half his annual salary to support groups, organisations and individuals in the Bay.

 The fund is applied for annually and priority is given to applications from local, groups, organisations and individuals based in, and delivering a service that directly benefits the Torbay community.

 Grants of up to 1000 will be allocated for winning projects that will be progressed in the following 12 months.

 Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver said: I believe passionately in community involvement and see this as a way of giving back to the community and ensuring that local people are involved in local matters.

A cross party group has been set up to administer the fund comprising Councillors Nicole Amil, Jackie Stockman and Bobbie Davies, who said: We are really pleased to support this initiative.  The fund is about making a difference to local peoples lives in the Bay and we are looking forward to seeing those projects take shape.

 Community and voluntary sector organisations or individuals, who wish to apply, need to complete the application form which includes the full criteria.