A NUMBER of organisations and charities in St Austell and the surrounding district are benefitting from funding allocated by the town council.

The St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature has received £1,000 from the council.

Festival director Simon Pollard told councillors that last year’s festival, the second held in the town, had been a huge success with around 2,500 people attending various events.

The White River Place shopping centre had reported a significant increase in footfall during the festival and local shops had been pleased with the additional trade in the town.

Mr Pollard told councillors that he wanted to keep the festival as inclusive as possible with regard to cost and that the festival team was working with various venues, including the the town library, Studio 4 and the arts centre, on this year’s event which is due to take place on June 13 to 14.

Councillors thanked Mr Pollard for his continued work on the festival.

St Austell Sea Cadets have received £2,500 from the town council.

Sub-Lieutenant Jordan Nash and two cadets from the unit met with councillors to discuss their request funding.

Sub-Lt Nash told councillors that the cadets’ minibus was nearing the end of its useful life and had broken down on a number of occasions recently.

In addition, because of its age, the minibus had to undergo frequent safety checks which were costing around £1,000 a year.

Councillors heard there were 52 cadets in the unit and they played an active role in the community.

Sub-Lt Nash said that an opportunity to buy a five-year-old vehicle had arisen and the unit needed extra funds to make the purchase.

Councillors agreed to give £2,500 towards the replacement minibus.

Amber BEE CIC (Community Interest Company) has been granted £250 towards mindfulness and internet safety projects at Pondhu Primary School in St Austell.

The company told councillors school leaderships teams in Cornwall are facing challenges related to children, especially nine-to-11-year-olds, who were socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic, misusing the internet, particularly concerning social media platforms.

The company also said that a lack of education has left parents unequipped to manage their children’s internet usage at home, resulting in more safeguarding and wellbeing issues in schools.

The company is addressing the issues, including children’s mental health, by collaborating with schools to offer educational support both in the classroom and at home.

Councillors have granted £250 to Go Shopmobility in St Austell towards the cost of printing updated promotional leaflets.

Councillors also suggested that Go Shopmobility should use local newspaper advertisements, posters on noticeboards and social media campaigns to heighten public awareness of its “very valuable service”.

The Family Mother CIC, which is based on a farm near Gorran, has also been granted £250 towards the cost of wellbeing workshops, peer support networks and resource development for special needs children and their families.

The Three Bays Wildlife group has been given a grant of £250 towards the cost of materials for a bumblebee-friendly schools project with Sandy Hill Primary School.