The amount of funding Derbyshire county councillors receive to support their local communities is set to double in response to the rising cost of living.

Each year every Derbyshire County Council councillor receives £3,860 to support projects in their local communities as part of the Community Leadership Scheme.

From October 1, the amount of funding given to each councillor will double to £7,720 due to the rising cost of living.

Councillor Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, explained why. He said: “We are very aware of the pressures that people in our communities are facing with the cost of living.

“It is important we provide support where it is most needed so on top of a range of practical and financial support that we already offer, I’m pleased to announce this increase in the Members Community Leadership Scheme.

“It means we can provide even more vital funding to communities which is targeted to where it is needed most by local councillors who have a close and deep understanding of the people and places they represent.”

Groups seeking funding should contact their local Derbyshire County Council councillor directly and tell them more about their projects, including how much funding they would like and how their work will benefit the local community.

It is up to individual councillors to decide which projects to recommend for funding.

The representatives for Alfreton and Somercotes are Councillor Phillip Rose and Councillor David Wilson.