RESIDENTS and community groups in Taunton Deane are being asked whether they would support a local council-run lottery to raise funds for the voluntary and community sector.

The local authority helps the voluntary sector through its service level agreements and small grants schemes but with continuing pressures on the public purse, the council is also exploring other ways of helping them.

Council lotteries are run successfully in other parts of the country and Taunton Deane Borough Council is looking to run this project with an experienced company licensed by the Gambling Commission, if the public and local groups support the idea.

The online lottery would offer £1 tickets with buyers having the choice of supporting a central community fund or a specific local group that would be listed as a good cause on the website. Supporters could select six numbers or choose a lucky dip. It is estimated there would be a one in 50 chance of winning a prize ranging from £25 for three matched numbers and up to £25,000 for six matching numbers.

To qualify as a good cause, groups would have to contact the council to be listed, subject to some checks being made and their meeting certain criteria. Once listed as a good cause, any funds accruing to them through ticket sales would be paid direct to them every month. They could also apply for grants to the central community fund.

For every £1 ticket sold, 50p would go to the nominated groups, ten pence to a central community fund to be allocated via a grant application process, 20p would go to the lottery prize pot, 17p towards running costs and 3p VAT.

The survey is available by following this link: http://www2.tauntondeane.gov.uk/asp/webpages/snap/deanelottery.asp