ARGYLL and Bute councillors have awarded over £7,000 to seven Helensburgh and Lomond community groups.

Members of the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee met on Tuesday 14 August to agree the latest allocations from the area’s Third Sector Grants budget.

Awards totalling £7,560 were made to Ardencaple Boys Club, Friends of Duchess Wood, Cove and Kilcreggan Youth Café, Helensburgh Play Park Association, Garelochhead and Portincaple Community Trust, Riding for the Disabled Association – Gareloch Group and Royal British Legion Scotland – Helensburgh and District.

The funds will be used for a wide range of projects that the groups undertake in the Helensburgh and Lomond community, ranging from first aid training to new play equipment.

Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee, Councillor James Robb, said: “These grants have been made to seven very worthy causes, each of which makes a valuable contribution to the local community.

“There are guidelines about how much can be awarded, but we are able to be flexible in special circumstances where there is a strong case. For example, we were able to provide one group with significantly more than the recommended amount after recognising there had been a material change.

“The grants are widely advertised and although this year’s budget of £35,000 has now been distributed, I would encourage local organisations to start preparing for next year.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Helensburgh and Lomond area committee’s total Third Sector Grants budget for 2012/13 is £35,000. When the committee met in April, £27,440 was awarded to 17 local groups. The grants allocated at the meeting on August total £7,560. Applications are open to third sector organisations in the Helensburgh and Lomond area, including events and festivals, and awards are made twice-yearly, in April and August.

Groups receiving awards in August were:

Ardencaple Boys Club £660

The provision of appropriate First Aid training for 20 people. This has increased from a 1 day to a 2 day course with a doubling of the costs. The 20 qualified adults can then support approximately 250 young people to compete in both local and national tournaments.

Friends of Duchess Wood £400

The provision of a Woodland Heritage course in plant husbandry would enable the members to properly maintain this resource and pass on information to the wider community including new members through a recruitment event.

Cove and Kilcreggan Youth Café £520

The provision of drama workshops as requested by young people wishing to perform to raise funds for the organisation, sailing courses so that they can compete in local regattas and skate boarding sessions. The organisation has restricted Lottery funds to upgrade the skate park at the side of the café. This will provide an on-site resource to the young people to practice the skills acquired at the Clydebank skate park lessons.

Helensburgh Play Park Association £1,570

The delivery of new play equipment for the second stage of the refurbishment of Hermitage Play Park. This work has been carried out in partnership with Friends of Hermitage Park and Argyll and Bute Council. Once delivered and installed Hermitage Play Park have a Service Level Agreement with the council for maintenance.

Garelochhead and Portincaple Community Trust £500

A range of community consultation events including focus group workshops, door to door questionnaires and public open days. The previous plan resulted in a number of community projects delivering new resources to the village. It is anticipated that the new Action Plan for the area will stimulate equally good results.

Riding for the Disabled Association - Gareloch Group £3,458

The organisation delivers a service to anyone within the Helensburgh and Lomond area with a disability. The application is for insurance and livery costs for two horses along with competition entry fees, information/test sheets and transport costs. They compete both locally and nationally and have an excellent record of achievements. The organisation has a comprehensive training programme for volunteers to assist the riders.

Royal British Legion Scotland - Helensburgh and District £452

The hosting of a Remembrance Day parade including hospitality and contingency plans for wet weather. The organisation is well supported locally and this event is now well established in the local calendar.