Lytham Town Council Launches New Community Grants, Honours and Awards Committee
23rd of April, 2026
Lytham Town Council has taken a significant step in supporting local community groups, holding the inaugural meeting of its new Community Grants, Honours and Awards (CGHA) Committee on Wednesday 22nd April 2026.
The committee was formed following a Full Council decision to merge the Community Grant Scheme into the existing Honours and Awards Committee remit. Meeting at Lytham Institute on Clifton Street, councillors elected Edward Cook as Chair, with the council agreeing that the Chair of the Council would also hold full voting rights on the committee to ensure it can always meet quorum — a practical move given the committee's small size and the strong likelihood of the elected members knowing individuals and community groups as part of being active community members themselves.
Community groups in line for funding
Two grant applications were considered at the meeting under the council's Type A grant scheme.
Community Workshop Lytham CIC applied for £500 towards a combined programme of work. The committee backed the application unanimously, recognising the group's positive impact on community cohesion and wellbeing, and recommended it to Full Council for approval.
The Friends of Lytham Railway applied for £450 to cover tools, high-visibility vests and sundries. However, the committee deferred a decision after recognising that some items may already have been purchased — which would make it a retrospective application and potentially ineligible under the scheme. The Clerk has been asked to seek clarification from the applicant, and an extraordinary meeting could be called ahead of the next Full Council meeting on 29th April 2026 if needed.
Honours and civic recognition on the horizon
The committee also held an early discussion about establishing a local civic awards scheme for Lytham — potentially including a recognition evening similar to existing volunteer celebrations in the town. The Clerk has been tasked with researching how other towns and parishes run their own honours schemes.
Open and transparent by default
In a notable moment, Council Chair Cllr Newell stated a preference for meetings to be held as openly and transparently as possible, and no motion was made to hold the session as a closed meeting — meaning the proceedings remained fully public.
The committee is expected to meet twice a year, with the next date to be confirmed.
The Community Grant Scheme Policy may be found on our website here and the application form can be downloaded in an MS Word document format from this link
For more information on the scheme please contact the Clerk at Clerk@lythamtowncouncil.gov.uk or visit www.lythamtowncouncil.gov.uk