East Suffolk Council
Councillors help fund new kitchen equipment for community schemes
Two East Suffolk community schemes have taken delivery of new essential kitchen equipment funded by donations from their local Councillors.
Beccles and Worlingham Councillors Sheryl Rumble (pictured right), Sarah Plummer (left) and Caroline Topping (centre), Leader of the Council, used their Enabling Communities Budgets to fund new appliances for Waveney Enterprises and the Waveney Centre.
A new water heater has been installed at Waveney Enterprises, in Beccles, to replace an outdated urn and allow service users to independently prepare hot drinks.
The scheme provides a creative space for adults with learning disabilities to enhance life skills through crafting.
Meanwhile, a new hob and extractor fan has been unveiled at the Waveney Centre – a venue for the retired people of Beccles and surrounding areas to enjoy activities, company and light refreshments.
The additional equipment was put straight to work cooking lunch for 56 centre visitors on the day that Cllrs Rumble, Plummer and Topping also dropped by.
Cllr Topping said:
“We were delighted to have been able to use our Enabling Communities Budgets to provide these items for two very worthy local causes.
“Through its innovative and creative support work, Waveney Enterprises is helping to foster independence and confidence in adults with learning disabilities.
“And the Waveney Centre not only provides lunches for the local retired community, but also cooks takeaway meals when required for our homeless people and acts as a venue for our Warm Welcomes network. The new equipment will allow the centre to cook for larger numbers for community lunches.”
Each of the 55 elected members of East Suffolk Council is granted a £7,500 Enabling Communities Budget to spend on community projects, or to develop new projects in their ward to tackle local need.
Previous projects which have benefitted from Enabling Communities Budget funding include play areas, village hall refurbishments and equipment, community events, projects to cut carbon emissions and the purchase of defibrillators.
Community groups wishing to apply for the funding should contact their district councillor or visit the Enabling Communities Budgets page of the East Suffolk Council website.