More players needed for Melton Community Lottery to keep it going

Melton Borough Council launched the initiative in November 2016 with 60 per cent of ticket sales being donated to local good causes and cash prizes of up to £25,000 being offered.

Players pay £1 to choose six numbers and they can a nominate a charity or cause of their choice to receive a proportion of that fee.

Of the £60,252 raised to date, £36,151 has been paid to good causes in the borough and the balance to a pot to support other community initiatives.

But members of the council’s cabinet were told at their latest meeting that only 293 members were currently signed up when it had been anticipated that at least 2,000 would be.

Councillors debated whether they wished to continue with the lottery, which a report showed had cost the council ‘a large net expenditure chargeable to Council Tax of approximately £95,300’ since it was started.

But Councillor Alison Freer-Jones, portfolio holder for climate, access and engagement, said it could be a valuable activity for the community if it was promoted more widely.

She told the meeting, which was broadcast online because of the need for social distancing: “I accept there has been a decrease in numbers and membership is not as high as we would like it.

“I’m committed to working with the officers to make a success of it.”

She called on fellow councillors to do more to promote the lottery through their roles as community leaders and added: “I believe that in 12 months the cabinet can then make a much more informed decision based on the community benefits of the lottery versus the costs of running it.”

Councillor Alan Pearson expressed disapppointment that the lottery had not been as successful as the council expected.

“When it first started it was really popular,” he told colleagues.

“We are not engaging with people enough with this and I think we’ve taken our eye off the ball.”

The proposal to review the lottery after 12 months was supported by Councillor Ronnie de Burle, who said: “There is no doubt the lottery has produced money that has been spent on very good causes.

“I feel that if we promote it for this next year we have every chance of making it what we intended it to be.”

The cabinet agreed that efforts should be made to increase participation within existing resources and that officers undertake a review proportionate with the level of investment in the service and report the findings to Cabinet after 12 months, such that a decision can be made regarding the ongoing impact and value of the service.

Go online at www.meltonlottery.co.uk to buy a ticket, nominate a good cause and to stand a chance of winning a cash prize.