SIXTEEN community groups which lost out on coastal benefit funding last year – despite meeting all the criteria – now have another opportunity for a slice of cash.
Members of these local organisations across Dumfries and Galloway were hugely disappointed to miss out on four and five figure sums of cash simply due to demand and money running out.
A total of £717,303 is to be handed over to Dumfries and Galloway Council through this year’s coastal benefit fund.
While councillors previously agreed to allocate 30 percent of the money (£215,190) to investing in coastal paths and harbour infrastructure, the remaining £502,113 is up for grabs in community group applications.
Scottish Ministers made a commitment in 2014 that they would provide 100 percent of the net revenue from Scottish Crown Estate marine assets to local authorities for coastal community benefit – if management of the assets was devolved.
The application process for this year’s round of funding was signed off by councillors at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s education, skills, and community wellbeing committee last week.
Annandale South Councillor Richard Brodie asked: “In the last round there were a large number of projects which scored quite highly and reached the threshold, but couldn’t be supported because of the lack of funds.
“I wonder if it would be possible to consider that the organisations that applied last time and scored highly, if they score highly again with their projects is there a way that we could allow them to be at the front of the queue for funding – as long as they meet the criteria?”
Council ward officer Derek Hextall replied: “There were 16 projects that we were unable to support due to the funding being fully committed, albeit their score would have led to a recommendation.
“In terms of your specific proposal around considering those organisations that were unsuccessful previously, what we’ve done historically is consider applications to this as a new round.
“Government are quite clear that there has to be openness and transparency in our decision making.”
Mr Hextall then added that projects that were unsuccessful last year will be contacted to advise them that they can apply again this year.
This will be the sixth allocation to Dumfries and Galloway Council since the management of the Scottish Crown Estate was devolved, and it means that dozens of groups/organisations in the region will receive a share of the six-figure sum of cash.
Scottish Ministers’ expectation for the fund is for the council to ensure that the cash is spent on new initiatives/projects that benefit coastal communities, particularly around environmental enhancement, emissions reduction or removal of waste, jobs, tourism, skills development, diversification projects, investment for community purposes, and climate change adaptation.
The six-figure payment is expected this summer, but in the meantime the application process will be opened up to community groups/organisations.
Two community funding streams are set up: small grants – up to £5,000 – with a budget of £125,528 available; large grants – up to £50,000 – with a budget of £376,584.
