Eastern Bay Energy Trust adopts new distribution plan and increased grant pool
The Eastern Bay Energy Trust’s newly approved distribution budget will see $2.2 million pumped into the local community over the next 12 months.
Trust chairman Don Lewell says the budget is a significant increase on the 2014/15 year and is a direct reflection of the financial benefit of 100 percent ownership of Horizon Energy.
“The Trust’s increased dividend from Horizon has effectively allowed us to plan for an extra $700,000 in distributions this year,” Mr Lewell says.
Alongside the budget approval, Trustees also adopted a new distribution plan at the Trust’s latest meeting.
Trust Manager Rawinia Kamau says the plan outlines the areas the Trust will support, the levels of distribution available within those areas and the frequency of allocations.
“Our aim is to make the process as clear and relevant as we can for applicants, whatever the level of support sought,” Ms Kamau adds.
Within the distribution plan, Community Events has a grant pool of $50,000, with a maximum grant value of $5,000; Community Development (to support community organisations and projects that have a positive impact on the community) has a grant pool of $400,000, with a maximum grant value of $50,000; Community Amenities (which usually represent district council initiatives with a significant benefit to the wider community) has a grant pool of $400,000); Education and Training has a grant pool of $240,000, covering seven categories; and Community Health, Safety and Wellbeing has a grant pool of $540,000; Iconic Projects is a new distribution category (to target significant regional projects that deliver inter-generational benefit) which has a grant pool of $450,000. Also new is the Discovery category (research and consultation to inform the Trust’s future investment into the community) with a budget of $120,000.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Bay Energy Trust approved grants totalling almost $318,500.00 at its 31 March meeting:
Puawairua Marae ($20,000.00 towards heating and electrical work)
Opotiki Bowling Club ($5,270.11 for an alarm system, camera system and portable PA system)
Whakatane RSA Inc ($4,540.52 towards sound, video and lighting for the 2016 ANZAC day dawn service)
Matata Volunteer Fire Brigade ($20,858.84 towards heating, insulation, coolroom refrigeration condenser, appliances and helmet LED torches
Terere Marae Maori Reservation ($117,827.51 towards electrical work, lighting, heating, appliances and insulation)
Tarawera High School ($150,000 towards astro-turf lighting)