Council cash for groups
Community groups in Hamilton have received over £4000 in funding for activities.
At the Hamilton Area Committee last Wednesday, February 8, councillors voted to give eight groups the exact funding they asked for, due to there being enough money in the community grants fund and it being the last committee meeting of the financial year.
The decision was proposed by councillor Mary Donnelly (Hamilton West and Earnock), who said: “Since this is the last meeting and we have £13,000 sitting in the kitty, can I move that every group that puts their ask in gets their ask.”
Her proposal was met with opposition from chair of the committee councillor Alan Falconer (Hamilton West and Earnock) who moved to grant the groups the recommended amount, rather than their desired amount.
Despite this, seven councillors voted in favour of awarding the full amount for each community group, with six voting against.
The groups who received funding include Dalserf Village Garden Club in Larkhall who were granted £380 for an environmental project.
Larkhall OAP Association Town Branch were funded £300 for an outing.
REACH Lanarkshire Autism in Hamilton received £800 for equipment, an outing and entrance fees.
Cadzow Community Corps, Hamilton, got £625 for equipment and materials.
Trinity Church Guild in Larkhall was funded £400 for an outing.
Hamilton Stitchers received £986 for equipment, an outing and entrance fees.
National Autistic Society (NAS) South Lanarkshire in Hamilton were funded £210 for materials.
And Hamilton YFC got £360 for start-up costs and equipment.
The council operates a community grants scheme to support local constituted community groups and voluntary organisations
The main aims of the community grants scheme are to fund activities and projects which bring community benefit, involve people in the community by bringing them together to enjoy educational, recreational, leisure and other community activities or to improve the local environment.
Support can be provided for a range of activities including administration and publicity costs, purchase of equipment and materials, annual outings and entrance fees, start-up costs and special events.
The total amount awarded to the Hamilton area for the financial year was £25,750, and there is £12,411 left.