North West and Central Sutherland Ward Discretionary Budget Supports Local Projects

This is the third year that the Ward Discretionary Budget for North West and Central Sutherland (Ward 1) has been successfully used to support local projects. The awards have enabled many groups and organisations to progress with their projects and attract other funding which, with the discretionary budget, are valued at £171,527.

The awards approved so far this year, are:

• North West Highlands Geopark - £9500 for development of events and fairs.
• Lairg & District Initiative -  £1250 for the Lairg May Fest
• Sutherland Agricultural - £2500 to purchase a new Marquee
• Kinlochbervie High School -  £250 for the leaver’s dinner.
• Sutherland and Caithness provincial Mod 2009 - £500 for Gaelic events.
• Lairg Crofters Show - £1750 to purchase new holding pens
• Kinlochbervie High School - £2895 to construct memorial to Robert McBeath VC
• Highland Birchwoods - £760 to improve woodland management
• Assynt Leisure Centre - £2300 to purchase steel storage building 
• Feis Chataibh - £400 for Summer Ceilidh Trail music programme.

Councillors, George Farlow, Linda Munro and Robbie Rowantree who represent the North West and Central Sutherland ward say they are delighted that the discretionary fund is being used to benefit community projects and in many cases can help groups to access further external funding.

Any community group or organisation interested in finding out how to apply to the Ward Discretionary Budget can log on to http://www.www.highland.gov.uk/ and go to Ward 1 where they will find an online application or they can email andy.mackay@highland .gov.uk or telephone Lairg Service Point on 01549402957 for further information.