Members approve Place-Based Investment Programme funding for ward projects in Strathpeffer & Aultbea
Two projects within the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh ward are set to benefit in the latest round of Place-Based Investment Programme (PBIP) funding for 2021/22.
The Scottish Government’s Place-Based Investment Programme (PBIP) gave Highland Council £1,963,000 of ring-fenced money for 2021/22 and area distribution of the grant was agreed by Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee in September last year.
The aim of the PBIP is to ensure that all place-based investments are shaped by the needs and aspirations of local communities and accelerate ambitions for place, 20-minute neighbourhoods, town centre action, community led regeneration and community wealth building.
The current grant needs to be contractually committed by 31 March 2022.
Members at today’s (9 February 2022) Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Area Committee agreed to grant £50,560 to Strathpeffer Residents Association to assist with costs of a new play park.
Strathpeffer Residents Association were seeking £50,560 towards stage 3 of the new play park located at Ord Terrace. Stage 3 consists of the creation of a network of safe and secure paths throughout the site.
Members also agreed to grant £8,630,40 to Aultbea Hall Trust who were seeking the funding to go towards the £25,500 refurbishment of the vacant Aultbea Hall. In 2018 part of the hall was closed to the public due to concerns about the built fabric and in 2019 it closed completely.
It is estimated that the modest £25,500 investment could extend the life expectancy of the property for another 20 years and therefore provide a valuable community resources in the immediate to medium term.
In a separate report to today’s committee, it was agreed to allocate £12,647 from the remaining Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh (WRSL) Place-Based Investment Fund for 2020/21 to two important ward projects.
They agreed to provide £6,323 of support for the provision of play equipment in the WRSL Ward in consultation with amenities staff and £6,323 to support the provision of public toilet facilities in the ward.
Members noted that the next steps to progress the play provision work will include confirmation of any other funding available, identification of play priorities across the area, scale of repairs required or type of equipment to be installed based on the budget available and consideration of ongoing maintenance associated with any equipment installed. This will involve the amenities team and communities.
Chair of the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Area Committee, Cllr Ian Cockburn, said: “The availability of good-quality play provision in communities is essential for the physical and mental well-being of children, particularly after such an extended period of lockdown, when the ability to play in parks was severely restricted.
“It is considered that this investment will significantly help to offset some of the harms of covid and increase the health and confidence of children again.”
Members agreed the availability of public toilets was an essential feature of all areas and supports both residents in and visitors to an area.
In addition to the Council’s own toilets, many toilets are run as part of the Highland Comfort Scheme, where commercial or community sector toilets are made available to the public in return for a grant from Highland Council.
Cllr Cockburn said: “In a widespread, rural area such as the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh ward, where there can be long distances between toilets, their availability is increasingly important, particularly since the Covid 19 pandemic. This funding will be used to support toilet provision across the area.”