Town’s £400k ignored

Fund stagnating

A £400,000 fund supposed to benefit the community in Bridge of Allan has been dormant for the last two years.

Now Bridge of Allan councillors are hoping local groups and good causes will make more use of it.

Tory Douglas Dodds, with the support of fellow ward councillors - Tory Alastair Majury, the SNP’s Graham Houston and Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache are campaigning to raise awareness of the Bridge of Allan Common Good Fund.

The fund was created as a result of the sale of the former Museum Hall in Henderson Street, once an arts venue but more recently turned into luxury flats, and it stipulates the monies must be used for the benefit of Bridge of Allan.

The balance currently stands at £403,000 - but there have been no applications to the fund in the last two years.

Applications can be made by organised groups, community organisations or a collection of residents.

Stirling Council can provide all the information needed and the forms, and applications are discussed and decided at the council’s Provost’s Panel.

Councillor Dodds said: “This is a lot of money and it’s not doing any good sat in the bank.

“There are probably loads of great ideas, large and small, that could make a real difference to the town.

“I would encourage people to get the information, submit any ideas to the community council and come and discuss them. The town is extremely fortunate to have this resource so let’s get together and see what can be done with it.”