Near £450k confirmed for 17 community regeneration projects in Lochaber

Lochaber Area Committee Chair, Councillor Kate Willis, said: “The committee has been overwhelmed by the volume of applications received from across Lochaber.

“A total of 22 were received, which is the highest number to date, and demonstrates the strength and importance of directing funding to the heart of community-led projects.

“Five of these were eligible to be re-directed to the Community Led Local Development Fund and were successful in securing funding from that source.

“This meant that there were 17 applications to consider on the day.

“The decisions agreed were done so according to an approved red, amber and green (RAG) rating formula.

“The projects demonstrate: economic recovery; community resilience; mitigating impacts of the climate/ecological emergency and/or addressing the challenges of rural depopulation.

“Further details on each project will be brought to future ward meetings for progress reporting.

“On behalf of the committee, we would like to thank all those involved in submitting applications, we wish all the projects every success.”

Projects awarded Community Regeneration Funding at Lochaber Committee on 23 January 2024 are as follows:

• Shopmobility Lochaber SCIO - £12,000
• Lochaber Hope - £56,000
• Knoydart Farm CIC - £29,025
• Eigg Trading Ltd - £8,802
• Voluntary Action Lochaber – £65,000
• Linnhe Leisure – £76,840
• Road to the Isles Facilities Group – £34,532
• High Life Highland – £11,428
• Green Fingers – £15,000
• Fort William Marina and Shoreline CIC – £10,000
• Fort William Town Team SCIO - £9,862.80
• Morvern Games and Gala Week Committee – £30,500
• Isle of Canna Community Development Trust – £13,800
• Ardgour, Glensanda Development Trust – £12,000
• Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge & Achnacarry SCIO - £19,690
• Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust – £14,000
• Kinlochleven Community Trust – £26,522

In total, Lochaber Members awarded £445,001.80 of available Community Regeneration Funding, leaving a balance of £95,706.41.

Members agreed to ringfence these remaining funds within the 2023/24 allocation to deliver area priorities identified through work to develop an area based plan. This will be subject to full applications being brought to a future committee meeting.

In addition Plockton and District Community Trust - Tourism Place Plan - was awarded £15,000 from Members of the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Committee under the same initiative.