County councillors have flagged up a hat-trick of funding application successes in East Surrey.

A scout hall expansion plan in Reigate, a bid to build a shelter for the community in Betchworth and a scheme to rebuild a community hall in Outwood were among 15 projects to win cash from a fund to help communities improve their local areas.

The schemes were awarded up to £50,000 each by Surrey County Council leader David Hodge from the Community Improvements Fund.

Coun Hodge created the fund with the aim of helping local people’s efforts to independently enhance their neighbourhood.

In Reigate, the 17th Reigate Scout Group requested and was granted £47,760 to add a first floor to existing premises owned by St Joseph's Church, which will become the new scout hut.

Betchworth Parish Council applied for and was granted £9,351 for the building of an open-sided oak-framed shelter in the parish burial ground or allotments for use by the community.

And at Outwood, the Lloyd Hall Management Committee was granted £40,000 of the £50,000 it requested for the rebuilding of the Lloyd Hall community hall in Brickfield Road – the funds to be released once all monies are in place and the project is ready to go ahead.

A composting site in Tatsfield and a memorial garden in Woking were among the other projects around the county awarded grant funding.

Some of the schemes have to meet conditions though, such as winning planning permission, before the money granted will be released.

Schemes that have previously benefited include a village hall near Chertsey and a community shop at Strood Green.

Coun Hodge said: “These projects are fantastic examples of the county council and residents joining together to make Surrey an even better place to live.”

He said: “All these groups are strengthening the ability of residents to independently enhance where they live and are providing lasting improvements to communities.”