Place Based Funds agreed by the Isle of Skye and Raasay Area Committee

Members of the Skye and Raasay Area Committee have agreed the priorities for the areas place based fund, set up to mitigate the harms caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Isle of Skye and Raasay Area Committee chair, Cllr John Gordon said: “The proposed projects agreed today will benefit a wide range of people living within Skye and Raasay. The community spirit has been remarkable during the COVID-19 pandemic and it is vitally important to support community steered projects in every way possible. Allocating £7,000 for Community Resilience COVID-19 support will safeguard funds as we enter the winter months.”

This fund was set up to enable a flexible local response to address the four harms of COVID-19, which were identified as direct health harms; health impacts not directly related to COVID; societal impacts and economic impacts.

At Area Committee on 30th August 2021, an allocation of £14,000 was agreed to retain amenities seasonal staff for an additional 2 months. Early discussions by Members in Skye and Raasay identified four priority areas for spend against the remaining £86,000 Place Based Investment Fund for the ward.

Members agreed the proposed allocation of Place Based Investment Funds as follows:

• Old Man of Storr - Investment in site management and income generation at the Old Man of Storr – Total £57,000

Through the Transformation Service and a formal procurement procedure, a detailed business case was developed for the Old Man of Storr site. Enhancing the site and visitor experience through a sustainable business model. The business case evidenced a viable business opportunity to develop the site. The proposed commercial development is seen as an important addition to an increased suite of services at the site, enhancing customer experience, supporting economic development and employment, and importantly as part of a sustainable business model for the facilities through providing additional income that would support site maintenance and reinvestment. It is proposed to allocate £57,000 towards implementation of the business case, for site management and income generation at the Old Man of Storr. This would be delegated to the Executive Chief Officer, Transformation, for implementation.

• Skye & Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations - Investment in Befriender Scheme to help address social isolation and loneliness – Total £20,000

The Skye and Lochalsh Befriending scheme was set-up initially to provide a befriending service to those receiving palliative care. During the last 4 years the service has expanded to include anyone affected by social isolation and loneliness; and the COVID-19 pandemic saw the services expand further to provide emergency response social support. The service is open to anyone over 18 in Skye and Lochalsh who is affected by social isolation or loneliness. Referrals can be made by individuals, families, GPs, social work, third sector groups and other NHS services. The plan for the next 3 years is to extend the service and the co-ordinator’s hours which will enable the scheme to:

Support more clients and recruit more volunteers.

Develop a new hospital to home befriending service.

Provide regular group befriending activities including green space befriending activities

Pilot initiatives that meet the needs of those in our communities who have become or are at risk of becoming socially isolated.

It is proposed to allocate £20,000 towards this project. This is part of a wider funding package, with £90,000 secured to date. To run the project on full-time hours will cost £150,000, additional sources of grant funding have been identified and are being applied to. Should not all the funding required be secured, the project delivery hours will be reduced accordingly.

• Braes Village Hall – Total £2,000

This investment project will undertake urgent repairs to the village hall roof. The hall is a vital facility for the residents of Braes and is run by a volunteer committee who have raised almost half the repair costs through local community events. The Committee was formed in 1978 and hold a long lease for the building, which is owned by Highland Council, being a former Primary School. To date they have secured funding of £25,750 and from the quotes received it is expected that £2000 from the PBIF would complete the funding required to undertake the works. It is proposed to allocate £2,000 towards the repairs of Braes Village Hall.

• Community Resilience & Support – Total £7,000

Members have indicated that a reserve should be retained to support any Covid related response required, due to the uncertainty of any impact over the winter months. This would operate within the existing terms of the Ward Covid Resilience grant fund and be managed by the Ward Manager.

The Highland Council agreed at the financial budget in March 2021, a £100,000 Place Based Investment Fund allocation to each Ward for the 2021/22 financial year.