Council backs community environment schemes

COMMUNITY groups across Argyll and Bute are to get a share of a cash pot.

A total of 21 organisations have successfully bid for a slice of Argyll and Bute Council’s Sustainable Community Initiatives Fund.

The awards total more than £35,000 and will pay for environmental improvement projects, to be completed by September 2019.

Projects will be match-funded and will attract £80,500 from other sources.

One-off grant

The Sustainable Communities Fund is a one-off grant fund. A total of 48 applications were received, requesting £148,000. With a cash pot of £50,000 available to the council, £35,297 was paid out in grants to 21 schemes – with the remaining funds to be used to improve local authority civic amenity sites and waste collections.

The council’s policy lead for roads and amenity services, Councillor Roddy McCuish, said: ‘The variety and creativity of the ideas submitted to us show there’s a wealth of talent and creativity in our communities.

‘There were lots of worthwhile projects that we were unfortunately unable to support because of certain criteria, but we can still offer help and advice to organisations.’

In the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Isles area, Mid Argyll Community Pool (MACPool) will receive £2,143 towards improving a common external area. Tarbert Village Hall is to be granted £1,500 for landscaping and the creation of a dream garden.

On the islands, Islay and Jura Dog Management will get £300 for public education in dog management and South Islay Development Trust is to receive £2,070 to support enhancing a community garden.

Flail mower

The biggest local grant of £3,300 goes to Gigha Heritage Trust to purchase a tractormounted flail mower and support training for volunteers.

Among other successful projects, Strachur and District Community Development Company will receive £1,000 for improvements to Heron Park, while £2,000 will be given to Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust for a community garden/ growing area.