SERIOUS financial problems are facing the area boards for Prestwich, Whitefield and Unsworth.

But the groups are not short of cash. They have too much of it!

The coffers of Prestwich Area Board have swelled to around £20,000 while Whitefield and Unsworth Area Board has around £15,000 to spend.

And they must try to spend their budget by the end of the current financial year on April 4.

The money has accumulated from Kickstart budgets and Community Chest grants which are allocated to the area boards each financial year and are made available to local organisations and charity groups.

Although initial applications from the community were fast and furious when the idea was launched last year, area co-ordinators say there has been a lull recently.

Whitefield and Unsworth area co-ordinator, Ilona Snow-Miller, said: "Although we helped to fund a lot of good causes last year there was still £1,200 of Kickstart funding not allocated.

"That amount was carried over to this year's total and we still have more than £13,000 left to spend.

"In addition to that we have £2,700 of community chest money to spend."

The area board received some applications for Kickstart cash at their last meeting and agreed to approve some of the requests, although to date they have yet to receive any applications for the community chest.

Prestwich Area Board co-ordinator Phil Parkinson added: "We have even more money to spend and we really must try and allocate that before April. I would appeal for anyone who thinks they might benefit to get in touch with us."

Kickstart applications can be made by organisations or community groups up to the value of £2,500 and the cash is meant to "kick start" a new venture or project.

Some successful allocations include around £500 to fund a summer scheme at BTCV in Philips Park, Whitefield, and £2,500 to install benches and rubbish bins at Sunnybank Woods.

In Prestwich, cash was allocated recently to help fund the removal of side walls at the steps leading from Bannerman Avenue to the former Prestwich town hall.

As reported in the Bury Times, the removal of the walls is the first stage in a campaign to get the steps and footpath closed following complaints of under-age drinking and youths causing a nuisance to residents.

Applications to the community chest fund must be matched by the group and the maximum amount available is £300. Each budget has stringent guidelines for applicants, which can be explained by the area co-ordinators.

Contact Phil Parkinson for Prestwich applications on 253 7245 or Ilona Snow-Miller on 253 6373 for Whitefield and Unsworth issues.