$2.2 million to benefit the community

The Eastern Bay Energy Trust has maintained its distribution budget at $2.2 million for the coming 12 months.

Trust Acting Chairman David Bulley says the budget level is a continuing reflection of the financial benefit of 100 percent ownership of Horizon Energy.

“The Trust’s increased dividend from Horizon allowed us to make an extra $700,000 available to our communities in the last financial year and we are delighted to be able to maintain that level for 2017-18,” Mr Bulley says.

The distribution budget was set at a meeting of the Eastern Bay Energy Trust, held on 30 March.

Trust Manager Rawinia Kamau says that while the total available for distribution remains the same, there were subtle adjustments within the funding plan, which outlines the areas the Trust will support and the levels of funds available within those activities.

“We’ve allocated a little extra to Community Events in response to increased demand and have readjusted the level of contribution toward energy-industry scholarships,” Ms Kamau says.

Within the distribution plan, Community Events has a grant pool $60,000, 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 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 (to target significant regional projects that deliver inter-generational benefit) has a grant pool of $450,000; while the Discovery category (research and consultation to inform the Trust’s future investment into the community) is set at $110,000.