Groups are urged to apply for cash during pandemic

Perth and Kinross councillor Stewart Donaldson is encouraging community groups supporting residents during the pandemic to apply for financial help from the area’s local action partnerships (LAPs).

There are seven LAPs across Perth and Kinross.

Originally established to bring public services and communities together to identify and tackle key issues facing communities, each LAP has a budget to support projects in their area.

This is usually done through community councils and consultation events.

However, due to the current situation, LAPs are making part of their budget available to community groups, who are supporting members of their community during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Groups requiring financial support to continue their good work should email communityplanning partnership@pkc.gov.uk with their group name and contact details; the geographic area covered; a brief description of the services being offered and a description of the financial support needed and what funding would be used for.

Cllr Donaldson is urging groups that could use some extra funding to apply.

He said:“We certainly should aim to ensure that funding for local voluntary groups is available from local action partnerships from any existing cash balances.

“Moreover, funding for next year is also available for the next financial year, that is starting this month.

“We should aim to ensure that we do not sit on any of that cash, but that it is deployed throughout our local communities to provide additional support to local groups who are doing their utmost to assist in this crisis.”