£200k boost for Ross-shire community projects
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15 community projects across the Ross-shire area have received funds for work that will benefit rural areas.
The Highland Strategic Local Action Group met last month to consider and agreed funding for revenue projects submitted to the first round of the 2023/24 Community Regeneration Fund.
75 applications were considered, and of these, 61 were approved, including 15 across Ross-shire.
On the Black Isle these included £7850 given to Cromarty and Resolis Film Society to manage and support volunteers involved in providing the area's community cinema; £7400 for North Kessock Village Hall to allow it to build on the previous winter's Warm Spaces programme making community spaces accessible for those in need; and £24,000 for Killearnan public hall to help transform it into a modern community hub.
In Easter Ross successful applicants included Seaboard Memorial Hall which received £5300 for village maintenance; Balintore and District Residents Group which got £16,383 for the Balintore Youth Project; and Evanton Community Trust which received £5000 for village hall development.
In Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh the Gairloch Community Car Scheme was granted £5000; plans to develop a community shop in Strathpeffer were given £11,940 and Torridon and District Community Association received £17,075 to carry out a feasibility study into the repurposing of Torridon Primary School, the permanent closure of which was recently confirmed.
Altogether Ross-shire projects received £207,102 between them.
Chairman of Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) is an umbrella term used to cover multiple external funding programmes administered by the Highland Council.
"This first round was specifically to fund revenue projects financed from the Community-Led Local Development programme (CLLD).
"Although managed within the umbrella term Community Regeneration Funding, the CLLD programme builds on the legacy of the EU LEADER funding programme. Decisions on which projects are to receive funding is taken by a Local Action Group made up of third sector representatives, public agencies, and private organisations.”
He added: “A wide spectrum of projects were approved during this round, including feasibility studies and development phases for capital projects such as affordable housing schemes and visitor management facilities; revenue support for mental health services, youth work programmes and cost of living initiatives; revenue support for existing community transport schemes; and development support to improve community facilities and amenities.
“This latest round of revenue funding provides essential support for local jobs and allows Highland communities to grow and develop new opportunities, all of which bring positive actions addressing the issues faced by our rural communities.”
A full list of the successful projects is available here
