Members of Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Area Committee approve four HCCF bids
Four important community projects in the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh area will receive crucial funding after Area Committee Members approved their grant applications yesterday (9 February 2022).
Members at the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Area Committee were asked to consider Highland Coastal Community Funding (HCCF) applications totalling £93,550.
Lochcarron Community Development Company’s project focuses on delivering elements of the activity plan for Kirkton Woodlands. Its application for £18,500 of funding from the Highland Coastal Communities Fund is to cover the cost of erecting 2600m of deer fencing around the area, timber bridge installation and a contribution towards the salary of a Development Officer.
The Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland asked for £30,000 towards its project which is looking to improve both the car park at Stac Pollaidh and the toilet facility to enhance the visitor experience. The rapid growth in popularity of the area means that the number of visitors and vehicles visiting the site has overwhelmed the existing parking provision on almost a daily basis. The lack of public toilet facilities at the site has resulted in people using the surrounding area.
An Talla Solais in Market Street, Ullapool applied for £27,000 of HCCF funding to go towards its Arts Hub. An Talla Solais was well used during the pandemic, providing online exhibitions and art activities for all. One hundred and sixty-six people took part in online activities when meeting in person was not possible. The group received excellent feedback about the positive effects the sessions had on people’s mental health during lockdown, while they were self-isolating or alone. Highland Coastal Communities Funding will allow for energy efficiency works in the building such as the installation of solar panels and thermostatic heating controls.
The group also runs the Dolphin Arts Project, specifically for people living with the impact of dementia. Adapting the Market street building into an Art Hub for all, incorporating a gallery space, artist studios, ceramics room and a community arts room and office is key to the group’s continued success in the area.
The Welcome To Ullapool organisation sought £3,500 of HCCF funding to go towards its Entrance Sculptures Installation. Welcome Ullapool commissioned two stainless steel sculptures for each entry to the village to replace the statutory white metal signs, which have now been completed. The sculptures depict a ‘ball’ of herring amongst waves, representing the historic importance of fishing in Ullapool.
They will be floodlit with LED lights and set on a stone plinth made with local stone and faced with stainless steel lettering depicting ‘Ullapool’. The application to the HCCF is to cover installation, extensive groundworks, installing an electricity supply and stonework.
A fifth application from High Life Highland, which applied for a grant of £14,550 to go towards the Ullapool Youth space, was recommended for approval, however a Member interest was declared (the Cllr being a member High Life Highland's board) in relation to this application.
Because decisions require at least 3 members to approve and one of the three committee members was ineligible to vote given a declared interest, a recommendation to approve will be taken to the Highland Council for a decision.
Ullapool & District Youth Group, supported by their Youth Development Officer at High Life Highland, have secured a building for use as a dedicated youth space and they need support to increase the number of nights the facility is open, providing weekly Youth Club sessions for young people in Ullapool. The facility will provide vulnerable young people a safe space to meet with qualified youth workers, get advice and support, and socialise with their friends.
The Youth Space is a member of the Fare Share Community Food scheme and receives surplus food from their local supermarket. The youth workers will support young people to develop cooking skills so they can make nourishing meals for themselves and others in the wider community, helping to redistribute surplus food and combat food waste.