Trust's village support a "springboard" to success

A Mid Argyll village hopes to ride the wave of community ownership in the region by bringing two government-owned buildings under its control.

 

Cairnbaan Community Trust wants to take two buildings owned by Forestry and Land Scotland into its management - and hopes to build on a strong turnout to a public meeting held this month on the issue.

 

Jim Maitland, who chaired the trust's first meeting held in the Cairnbaan Hotel on Monday April 18, said they had been encouraged by some 'wins' in the past for the village.

 

He said: "During lockdown the village got funds for a defibrillator which was installed in the old phone box at Lock 8 on the canal.

 

"This provided a springboard for setting up Cairnbaan Community Trust's inaugural meeting last week.

 

"Almost 40 people - and two dogs! - converged to approve a draft constitution which will offer a framework for getting more resources for the village and taking up issues that affect the lives of all its residents.

 

"The meeting also opened discussion on the exciting possibility of bidding for a community asset transfer of surplus forestry buildings in the village, through an application to the Scottish Land Fund.

 

"If successful, this could form an activity hub for the whole community."

 

The trust says that so far the initiative has been met with widespread support and encouragement, both from residents of Cairnbaan, and from Forestry and Land Scotland which owns the buildings, as well as the Scottish Land Fund, Lochgilphead and North Knapdale community councils, Argyll and Bute Council councillors, local groups who have engaged in similar initiatives, and the Cairnbaan Hotel, which offered a room free for use.

 

There was a lively discussion about the shape a community hub might take and what needs to happen next to make it a reality.

 

Mr Maitland continued: "This is just the start of our journey.

 

"Having the support of our community means we can now apply to the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) to set up the trust as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and hope to achieve this within the coming year.

 

"Amongst other things, an SCIO offers protection to charity trustees from personal liability."