Supporting communities fund open to votes

BIDS to use books to bridge the generation gap in Benderloch, buy horse feed and shoes for a riding for the disabled carriage driving group, and to purchase tartan kilts and ties for a primary school choir in Oban – these are just some of the community initiatives hoping for a share of £28,893.

People in Oban, Lorn and the Isles have until the end of April to vote on how they want the money spent in their area.

Earlier this year, local groups and organisations posted their project ideas on a website created specifically for Argyll and Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund.

Members of the public can vote for as many projects as they like, up to the total value of funding available in their area.

Bookends Book Festival Bridging The Gap project has put in the smallest bid for £495 to pilot a scheme to open up the Reading Room at the village’s Victory Halls one day a month to bring people of all ages together with books as the common link.

‘The excuse is books. People enjoy coming here so much we want it to happen more often, bringing all ages from the community together,’ said Joy Cameron.

Other bids include Rockfield Primary School wanting £850 to buy tartan kilts and ties, Oban Youth Cafe wanting £2,000 for its Monday Club, Argyll Riding for the Disabled Association’s Carriage Driving Group hoping to get £2,052, and Oban and Mull Army Cadets asking for £2,500 to pay for a First World War battlefield tour.

The council’s policy lead for communities Councillor Robin Currie said: ‘This is a unique opportunity for people to vote for projects that could make a huge difference to communities across Argyll and Bute.

‘It’s a chance for residents to stand up and have a say on what the Supporting Communities Fund will be spent on in their area and I would urge them not to miss out on this opportunity.’

The voting website went live on April 3 at abpb.argyll-bute. gov.uk

Alternatively people can vote at drop-in sessions, including Tiree Community Trust office on Wednesday April 18 from 10am to noon; the Customer Service Point in Tobermory on Wednesday April 25 from 11am to 1pm; Dalmally Primary School on Tuesday April 24 from 3.30pm to 5pm, and Kilninver Primary School on Thursday April 26 from 3.45pm to 5pm.