Conservative Councillor Myles Scrancher recently used his enabling communities’ budget to fund hard landscaping at the 2nd Carlton Colville Scout Group.

A disused section of scrub land at the side of the Scouts hut has been transformed by the funding into a hard landscaped are that will facilitate multiple uses and activities for use by the Scouts, whilst also improving accessibility to the site.

East Suffolk Council’s Enabling Community Budgets (ECBs) are intended to support activities delivered by community, voluntary and social enterprise organisations. A total of £412,500 has been allocated from New Homes Bonus (funding generated through new houses built in the district) for 2025/2026. This gives each of the 55 elected members of East Suffolk Council a £7,500 Enabling Communities Budget to spend to enhance existing community projects or to develop new projects in their ward to tackle local need.

Councillor Scrancher said: “I am so pleased to be able to fund this project which has seen an area of land that was not used, vastly improved and has made the Scouts Hall more accessible to all. The paving will provide a hard landscaped zone which can be used by the beavers, cubs and Scouts for a variety of uses and activities. The high-quality materials and workmanship used will see this last for many many years to come”

Stephen Hart, Scout Group leader said: “2nd Carlton Colville Scout Group would like to express our thanks to Councillor Scrancher for his generous funding support towards our paving project. The new paving has made a significant difference to our group, providing us with a functional space whilst improving accessibility and safety for all.”