£10,000 of money seized from criminals is up for grabs in communities across Congleton Local Policing Unit (LPU). Local organisations are encouraged to apply to Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer's Community Cashback Fund for projects which residents will vote on.

A Community Conversation was held to determine what people felt their community needed, and now local groups from Congleton, Alsager, Holmes Chapel, Middlewich, Sandbach and the surrounding area can put their projects forward for a share of the funding ranging from £100 to £1,500.

A panel including local people will review all applications before projects are put to a public vote, where residents can choose which ones they'd like to see go ahead.

Residents are invited to a meeting at 6:30pm on Tuesday 29 November, at Eaton Bank Academy, Jackson Road, Congleton, CW12 1NT, where they will have a chance to hear from organisations about their projects, vote on them, and learn which ones have been successful. There is no need to register to attend.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer said: "This is your chance to change your area for the better, and the money will come from the ill-gotten gains of criminals whose actions have affected communities across Cheshire.

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, John Dwyer.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing a wide range of exciting proposals to improve Congleton and the surrounding areas and giving local people a real say over how this funding will benefit their community.

"If you're a local organisation with a project that could benefit from my Community Cashback Fund then don't delay, apply now and let's work together to make Cheshire even safer."

All applications must meet the criteria and applicants must be able to attend the meeting on Tuesday 29 November to present their project and hear the outcome of the public vote. You can find the criteria, answers to frequently asked questions and the application form at: www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-the-commissioner-does/community-funding/community-cashback-fund/

If you have any questions about the Community Cashback Fund or the Community Conversation process, please get in touch at [email protected]