COMMUNITY groups across Argyll and Bute are to get a share of a cash pot.

A total of 21 organisations have successfully bid for a slice of Argyll and Bute Council’s Sustainable Community Initiatives Fund.

The awards total more than £35,000 and will pay for environmental improvements.

Policy Lead for Roads and Amenity Services, Councillor Roddy McCuish, said: “The variety and creativity of the ideas submitted to us show there’s a wealth of talent and creativity in our communities.

“It’s great that residents are willing to work together to improve their local areas, coming up with projects that will benefit their community now and into the future.

“With our help, people are using their skills, knowledge and experience to enhance their areas for residents, and of course visitors, and this contributes to making Argyll and Bute a great place to live and work in, and visit.

“These projects show that with a small amount of support from the Council, groups can do fantastic things to improve their communities.

“There were lots of worthwhile projects that we were unfortunately unable to support because of certain criteria, but we can still offer help and advice to organisations.”

Funding advice is available through our Social Enterprise team – email thirdsectorenquiries@argyll-bute.gov.uk or see www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/contact-social-enterprise-team

Further details are also at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/grants-and-funding

Projects will be match-funded and will attract £80,500 from other sources. All projects will be completed by September 2019.

The Sustainable Communities Fund is a one-off grant fund. There was £50,000 available to projects that met the criteria. There were 48 applications requesting £148,000 and £35,297 is being paid out. The remaining funds from the original £50,000 available will be used to improve civic amenity sites and waste collections.

The projects that will receive funding are:

BUTE AND COWAL:

Kilmun Community Council / Shore Sweepers, £2,598, improving local environment and amenity

Strachur and District Community Development, £1,000, improvements to Heron Park

EnviroKirn Action Group, £2,370, install indestructible benches and planters to improve Kirn area

Bute Community Council, £2,500, enhancing amenities at Meadows area, playing field and Esplanade

Innellan Village Hall, £500, community garden furniture and plants

Port Bannatyne Gala Group, £2,000, building a draught board at Old Stone Quay

MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND ISLANDS

Islay and Jura Dog Management, £300, public education in dog management

MACPool, £2,143, improving common external area

Gigha Heritage Trust, £3,300, purchasing a tractor-mounted flail mower and training for volunteers

South Islay Development, £2,070, enhancing community garden

Tarbert Village Hall, £1,500, landscaping and dream garden

HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND

Helensburgh Community Council, £2,500, improving and maintaining Colquhoun Square

West Rossdhu Residents Group, £680, planning and maintenance of cherry trees

James Street Community Garden Association, £3,365, installing curved benches to community garden

Rosneath and Clynder Community Council, £2,500, replacing picnic tables and benches with polished concrete units

Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust, £2,500, planting 100 trees to replace dead trees

Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust, £2,000, community garden/growing area

Rosneath Peninsula Amenity Society, £150, maintaining and developing Brownie Park

OBAN, LORN AND THE ISLES

Connell Community Council, £150, litter pick equipment

Hope Kitchen, £500, beach litter pick equipment

For further information telephone 01546 604 171, or email press@argyll-bute.gov.uk