Town Centre Funding projects agreed for 2 Skye communities

Highland Councillors at the Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee today (Monday 25 January 2021) have unanimously approved 3 projects that will be offered a total £56,104 Scottish Government Town Centre funding to help deliver economic stimulus in the eligible settlements of Broadford and Portree.

Projects need to have started by the end of March and grant spent by the end of September.

Councillors today agreed that the following 3 successful projects will be offered Town Centre Funds:

• Broadford new public toilets - £28,052 to Broadford and Strath Community Company to supplement their 2019/20 TCF award of £99,483 to provide new public toilet provision in the town.
• New 3 x stainless steel notice boards in Portree car park next to the Tourist Information centre. £9,000 to Portree and Braes Community Trust for the purchase and installation of the new notice boards to advertise local businesses yielding a small income for the Trust. Any profit from the advertising sales will be invested in the Trust’s " clean up club" which will carry out projects to improve the appearance of the village regarding street furniture, signage, and path improvements works.
• Refurbishing Portree Community Centre small hall (bar area) and disabled toilet - £19,052 to Portree Community Centre for the refurbishment with a view to renting out the room as a business unit and/or for private, business or community events. The works will also include the renovation of the disabled toilet to create a suitable public facility when events are held at the nearby playing field.

Cllr John Gordon, Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee (Cathraiche) said: “We previously agreed in November last year at the meeting of the Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee to provisionally award the allocation equally between Broadford and Strath Community Company, and Portree and Braes Community Trust.

“I am delighted now along with my colleagues to approve these 3 Town Centre funded projects for Broadford and Portree which will be a much-needed boost to both communities providing local construction activity and work in the area.

“The projects chosen have been agreed upon their eligibility and deliverability within the tight timeframe of 31 March 2021 and their ability to provide local community benefit and economic boosters as quickly as possible.”