THE public will have the chance to choose where Colchester Council spends £200,000 in grants.

At a cabinet meeting it was confirmed the extra money will be set aside for community projects.

Mark Corey, portfolio holder for rescources, said it was a “democratic way” of involving the public in decision making.

Projects can submit applications to the council and a public vote would decide where the grant goes.

Council Leader Paul Smith said: “We will have to have some rules and regulations on who to pay the money to but we are looking for applications from community groups, sports clubs, health organisations, and charities.

“It is a diverse list of people who can apply.”

The council will then draw up a shortlist of organisations and the public will be able to vote electronically via the council’s website, or on paper, most likely kept at Colchester Library.

The money has become available after the council found an extra £600,000 in its budget.

To be able to get this funding, applicants must contact the council, who will let them know how to sign up.

Initial applications should be in before Christmas, with a shortlist being drawn up by February.

The money should then be allocated to the chosen organisations by March.

Colchester Soup is a smaller scale organisation that asks communities to vote on projects.

The money given as an entry fee at the door is used as prize money for the winning project.

Karen Taylor who runs Colchester Soup said: “I think this is absolutely brilliant.

“It’s a step in the right direction and it is something that has really worked for us.”

At the meeting former Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell suggested some of this funding go towards Age UK Colchester.

He said £100,000 would fund their welfare rights service for four years.