Scottish Championship funding

Councillors have agreed to help fund a major sporting event in Perth.

The Scottish Badminton Championships will be held at the city’s Bell’s Sports Centre in February.

Organisers have secured £3,000 from the Perth common good pot to help stage the three-day event.

The championship, now in its 17th year at Perth, costs a total of around £14,550.

Perth and District Badminton Association has already received £2,000 from Perth and Kinross Council’s events budget.

A report to councillors stated: “The event puts a focus on Perth and will receive local and national publicity.”

Last year, Badminton Scotland made up a £6,300 deficit for the event.

Meanwhile, a further £700 of common good money will go to Perth Academy to help pay towards a trip to World War One battlefields in France and Belgium.

The money will help several youngsters who are facing financial hardship, councillors were told.

The trip, which will take place in June next year, will help the pupils experience foreign countries and gain independence and language skills, a report to the Common Good Fund Committee stated.

“The grant will contribute to social inclusion,” members heard. The trip has been organised as part of the school’s History BGE course.