A people power fund which lets people invest in local improvements is set to expand following a major boost.

Leicestershire County Council is set to let community forums invest a total of £320,000 per year in improvement schemes identified by local people.

A pilot scheme, investing £178,000 per year, saw people invest in a range of schemes, including a youth café, a mobile cinema and new equipment for a bowling club. More than £600,000 of extra funding was levered in.

Under the extended scheme, each forum will have £10,000-£15,000 to spend each year, depending on its population size.

County council leader David Parsons said: This scheme is a real example of the Big Society in action – we’re empowering people to identify local needs and start meeting them.

Our experience from the pilot scheme shows that our funding kickstarts bigger plans – which makes a real difference to local communities.”

The fund is part of the county council's support for the Big Society, along with £340,000 being made available to help set up community projects, through the Big Society grant fund.

The county council’s ruling cabinet is set to agree the rules for awarding the community forum cash, when it meets at 2pm on Tuesday, July 26th.