Power to the people

EAST Renfrewshire residents are invited to attend information sessions which aim to raise awareness of a fund generated by renewable energy projects in the area.

Applications for the East Renfrewshire Renewable Energy Fund (ERREF) will open at the start of August and close at the end of that month.

To help community groups prepare applications, East Renfrewshire Council is to host information sessions in Neilston and Newton Mearns.

Successful applicants will receive money that is added to the fund by Scottish Power Renewables, Whitelee Windfarm and Middleton Windfarm.

Projects across East Renfrewshire with a minimum cost of £20,000 could be eligible.

The type of applications that will be considered include community events such as a summer fair and environmental projects such as tree planting.

Cash could also be available to upgrade play areas or help local sports clubs buy new equipment, with groups such as the Brownies also welcome to apply, alongside nursery and school projects.

The first information session will take place at The Bank community hub, in Neilston, on Thursday, April 25, from 6pm until 8pm.

This will be followed by a further session at The Community Hub, in Newton Mearns, on Wednesday, May, 15, from 9.30am until 3.30pm.

A council spokesperson said: “If there is sufficient interest, we will arrange a further drop-in session in June or July.”

Anyone who would like to attend either session is asked to register their interest by e-mailing business@ eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.