Council to receive thousands from £12.5m plastic bag fund

But in the case of Lancing Parish Council, it should be ‘look after the bags’.

Because it is set to receive at least £18,000 from a fund made up of a supermarket’s 5p carrier bag charges.

The council has two entries in the Tesco Bags of Help initiative. Both are guaranteed to be given either a £12,000, £10,000 or £8,000 grant from a £12.5million national fund that rewards community groups across the country each month.

These are the renovation of Monks Recreation Ground in Crabtree Lane, Lancing and the installation of a disability-friendly access path on Lancing Beach Green. The third cause is for playground improvements at Elm Grove Primary School in Worthing.

Tesco shoppers can vote in their store for the cause they would like to support, with the winner getting the largest grant.

Gloria Eveleigh, chair of Lancing Parish Council, said that the Beach Green path project was made a priority after children from The Globe Primary School in Irene Avenue, Lancing wrote letters to the council calling for it to happen.

“I would like to applaud the community spirit demonstrated by The Globe School’s project, and to particularly thank the pupils who prompted the Council to prioritise this suggestion.

“Young people need outside spaces like Monks Rec that spark their imaginations and give them enjoyment, and disabled people need the same access as everyone else.”

Voting is open in stores from October 31 to November 13.

The council chair added that the Beach Green path could be built regardless of the grant it is given, without the need for further funding.

The £8,000 option would allow for a single-width pathway to be built, with the greater amounts allowing for a wider path.

It will give wheelchair users and parents with children’s pushchairs easier access both The Perch and the toilets, Gloria added.

“I think this scheme is superb. Tesco is encouraging people to not have this throwaway attitude, but they are giving the money spent on bags to people in the community – so it is a win both ways.”

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