Community Regeneration Funding awarded to Caithness groups

Caithness Committee Members today (Monday 29 January 2024) considered and assessed applications submitted to the area’s Community Regeneration Fund.

Community Regeneration Funding is an umbrella term for a number of funds that are available for communities/organisations to access in Highland.  It comprises elements of the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund along with the Highland Coastal Communities Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme, both of which are Scottish Government Funding streams to support economic regeneration and sustainable development in Highland.

Total funds available this time for Caithness projects is £354,412.98 which is a mix of capital and revenue from the individual funding programmes.

Below is a list of the successful applicants and the amount of their awards for their projects put forward.

Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ron Gunn said: “The number of applications for these funds demonstrates the local need for and importance of directing funding to the heart of community led projects.

“On behalf of the Area Committee, I would like to thank all the applicants involved, many of which are community volunteers. We wish the projects awarded funding today the best of luck as they move forward with their plans.”

Successful Applications:

• Caithness KLICS SCIO – Staff costs - £11,244.80
• Dunbeath Community Centre – Dunbeath Play Park - £28,940.66
• Home Start Caithness – Volunteer coordinator and family hub (Revenue element £3,615)
• Thrumster Community Development Association - Tennis Court Resurfacing - £9,500.22
• Reay Golf Club - Greenkeeping and Coaching Facility – £75,000.00
• Staxigoe Community Football Pitch – Pitch access and extension - £33,871.00
• High Life Highland Youth Development Thurso - Young People’s Project 2024.25 - £29,831.00
• Association of Northern Trails Scotland - Embarking on the North Coast Trail - £20,000.00
• Association of Northern Trails Scotland - Stepping Up on the JOGT - £8,000.00
• John O’Groats Mill Trust - John O’Groats Mill - £50,000.00

The following applications were deferred in order for the applicants to provide more detailed information about the projects, alternative funding sources and their future sustainability to assist the Committee to make an informed decision.

• John O’ Groats Development Trust – Hall refurbishment - £25,000.00
• Home Start Caithness – capital element of application – £68,336.00
• Thurso Community Café – Helping Hub - £27,520.00
• Thurso on Board - Thurso on Board: Business Planning - £9,500.00
• Wick Harbour Authority - Phase 1 of the Harbour Entrance Improvement Works - £100,000