Community groups face the dragons

Voluntary groups will battle it out for a slice of the ward working grant

Community groups will get the chance to battle it out for funding in a Dragon’s Den style competition.

Voluntary groups in Queen’s Park will pitch their ideas to a panel of ‘community dragons’ for a slice of the ward working fund – a �20,000 annual grant given out by Brent Council gives out to enhance the neighbourhood.

All projects are prioritised by ward councillors to tackle matters raised by local residents. The current priorities for Queen’s Park are supporting young people’s activities and enhancing Salusbury’s Road.

The judging panel includes Sergeant Graeme Day of Queen’s Park Safer Neighbourhood Teem, deputy head of Queen’s Park Community School Steve Cripps.

Peter Stachniewski, head of Brent Council’s efficiency programme, and the environmental campaigner Lorraine Skinner will also be judges.

Chaired by Queen’s Park ward councillor James Denselow, the event takes place at Queen’s Park Community School, Ayelstone Avenue, Queen’s Park, on Wednesday July 6 from 6pm until 7pm.

Cllr Lesley Jones, lead member for customers and citizens, said: “Brent Council is committed to engaging with residents to stimulate creativity and innovation in order to really make efficient decisions that enhance the lives of local people.”