Why should we protect the LCF?

The Government is proposing changes to legislation that will affect the way the Landfill Communities Fund works. As The Wildlife Trusts explain here, what sounds like a good idea on paper (changing the way the 10% contribution is made so that community groups can apply without match funding in place) could, in reality, shut the scheme down and withdraw £millions of potential grant funding.

From meadows to community halls, wetlands to recreation, gardens to play areas, so many projects have benefited from landfill tax funding, 51,000 projects in fact, and all of these projects have managed to find the 10% contribution needed secure their grant. Organisations ranging from small community groups or sports clubs to national bodies have all benefited and used these funds to protect wildlife and enhance communities.

As The Wildlife Trusts explain, “Finding match funding has never been a barrier to spending from the Landfill Communities Fund – in fact it is already oversubscribed at least twofold.”

The impact of losing this funding altogether, however, would be phenomenal. There is no other funder which can provide this type of grant on the scale currently delivered through the Landfill Communities Fund. This is why I am supporting the campaign to support #theLCF and why I urge others to do the same.