It could be you...Breckland Council launches its own lottery
Paul Claussen. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY - Credit: Archant
It could be you...or your community.
That's because a council is thinking of starting its own lottery - as a way of raising vital funds for voluntary groups and charities.
The competition run by Breckland Council could have a £25,000 jackpot, with people paying £1 for a ticket.
When they buy a ticket, players would select a good cause in the district to support, with 60pc of the proceeds going to a general funding pot for Breckland Council to distribute to charities and voluntary groups in the form of grants.
No money would go to the council itself, although some of the money raised would be used to cover costs.
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Breckland Council's cabinet gave the go-ahead to the idea at its meeting on Monday, July 10.
Paul Claussen, executive member place at the council, explained: 'This approach is an innovative way of supporting local good causes.
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'As well as helping to direct money to local charities and community groups, being part of the lottery will also help raise their profile and promote the good work they are doing.
'They may otherwise not have the capacity to fundraise on their own, so this presents a big opportunity for them.'
The move follows West Norfolk council's proposal earlier this year to set up its own web-based lottery scheme, with money raised similarly going to good causes.
Successful lotteries have also been set up in Aylesbury and Portsmouth, which are both run by their respective local authorities.
Under the 2005 Gambling Act, councils can set up lotteries but they must be licensed by the Gambling Commission.
Breckland Council's cabinet also agreed to recommend to full council that £150,000 of funding be set aside for grant funding in 2017/18 and the same in 2018/19, with the remaining money in the existing pot be reallocated for investment purposes.
The returns on future investments would be used to provide grants to local groups. This, coupled with the lottery plans, would mean the council has a sustainable way of funding its grants scheme and helping worthy causes going forward.
