DUDLEY Council has awarded £75,000 in community grants in just three months – after it was revealed nearly £200,000 for local good causes remained unspent.

The authority said this week that 10 community forums had used the money on projects across the borough’s 24 wards.

In June it was reported the groups held £181,828 which had not been allocated over the past two years.

The forums can award up to £5,000 to charities and projects in their areas, but some started the financial year with over £60,000 in their accounts.

The groups also allow local people to meet with councillors and the police to discuss how they can improve their areas and share information on community activities.

The underspend led to claims that grants were not publicised properly - meaning organisations and charities were missing out.

But the council has now said it has allocated £75,000 since April and the next round of community forum meetings will begin in September 1 and run until October 3.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: “We can always do more to publicise these grants.

“Obviously we use means such as the local press and our website but we could do more maybe through social media.

“We want local groups to come forward and apply to use them. The money is there and we want to spend it.

“For some local groups it this money is the difference between getting themselves up and running and for others it allows them to build and go onto do bigger and greater things.

“We are always trying to support groups that can be substantiated because otherwise it would be a waste of the forum’s money, but in the early days this money can be a massive lifeline to them.”

For more information on community forums, including the application process for funding, email community.forums@dudley.gov.uk