Community groups’ delight at £221,000 cash boost for funds

Almost 25,000 votes were cast for worthwhile causes throughout Perth and Kinross

Around 151 projects in Perth and Kin ross have shared in the allocation of more than £221,000 determined by the public.

People were given the chance to decide where council money should be invested in the Perth and Kinross Decides initiative.

The process, known as participatory budgeting, saw grants ranging from a few hundred pounds to £4,000 awarded to a wide range of causes, including youth cafés, community councils and sports clubs.

In February and March residents voted for community projects in their area aimed at tackling local inequalities or health and social care issues.

Nine events were held in Perth, Strathmore, Blairgowrie and the Glens, Carse of Gowrie, Strathearn, Strathallan, Highland and Strathtay, Almond and Earn and Kinross-shire.

We will spend the money on extending steps on the Cuttle Burn path to make it safer. IAN RICHARDS, BLAIRGOWRIE AND RATTRAY ACCESS NETWORK

Almost 25,000 votes were cast. Among the recipients were Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network, which manages the core paths in its area.

It is using the £3,000 it was granted to upgrade the Cuttle Burn path, alongside £2,500 pulled in during a week-long fundraising drive in April.

A team of volunteers will start work on Friday to build steps on a part of the path which is prone to mud and ice.

Secretary Ian Richards said: “The council a few years ago put in steps but there is a section in the middle which gets very slippy in wet weather and icy in the winter and we are going to extend the steps to make it much safer.

“It’s always a very popular pathway but some, particularly the elderly, find it gets quite difficult so when the work is finished it should give access for everyone.”

Longforgan Community Council was given the same amount for its bid to install lifesaving defibrillators in the Carse of Gowrie villages.

The machines are required in Longforgan, Inchture and St Madoes, and Perth First Responders are to deliver training sessions so people know how to use the min a medical emergency.

Other recipients include Birks Cinema Trust, Coronation Park skatepark project, Kinross- shire Community Sports Hub’s Cycling Without Age initiative, Abernethy Pavilion and Coupar Angus Cycling Festival.

Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network received a £3,000 grant from the scheme. Some of the volunteers at a charity shop last month, from left, Ally Donald, Janine Seymour, Ian Cruickshank, Dr Alasdair Shaw and Ross Donald.