Chatteris Town Council agrees grants to two good causes

A group that looks after life-saving equipment in Chatteris is to receive a £1,000 grant from the town council to help with costs.

Chatteris Community Defibrillators applied for funding from the town council to help cover the costs of replenishing essentials such as the pads needed for the machines as well as the ongoing maintenance of them.

Initially, the council was thinking of giving £500 from its voluntary grants pot but after a discussion during which Cllr Alan Gowler proposed giving the full £1,000 it was agreed to make the full payment.

Cllr Gowler said: “I’m now going against what I said earlier and if necessary I would suggest putting the precept up slightly, if necessary, so we can give them the full amount. This is more important than money.”

In the end, it was found unnecessary to increase the precept further as there was money in the budget that could be used, and it was unanimously agreed to give £1,000 to the defibrillators.

A second grant application had been received from the town football club asking for £500 towards a £1,500 project to improve the drainage of the pitch at the West Street ground.

The project would include soil aeration which would improve the playing surface.

It was agreed to give the club the money to ensure the pitch remains useable for all the teams attached to Chatteris Town.