Community groups from men's shed volunteers to green fingered enthusiasts are among the winners in North Ayrshire Council's latest financial boost for the North Coast, Largs and Cumbrae.
A total of 17 groups in Largs, Fairlie, Millport, Skelmorlie and West Kilbride - which form the North Coast and Cumbraes locality area of North Ayrshire - were successful in applying for funds totalling £15,168 from the council's 'participatory funding' process.
The public voted for the successful community groups which make a positive difference to the community.
Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for communities and islands, commented: “We are absolutely delighted that so many community groups have benefitted in the council’s second round of participatory funding for 2023.
“Local people know the needs of their communities better than anyone else – this is why they are at the heart of our PB approach as we develop further community funding opportunities across our six Locality Partnerships, giving citizens a direct say in our decision-making processes and allocation of vital funding.
“Thank you to all who had their say and decided on where the money would be best spent.
A total of £1,000 went to help the Largs Greens Futures, who want to improve the town by tidying and planting areas that have been neglected - and who recently featured in the News for their work that they are doing at an overgrown section of Barrfields Park.
Another beneficiary is Largs Museum who have received nearly £1,000 for the digitalisation of catalogues.
Other payouts are £1,000 for the Skelmorlie Community Garden, £941 for the Clyde Coast and Cumbraes Men's Shed, and £1,000 for Largs Community Garden enhancements.
The Skelmorlie Secret Bunker was awarded £960, while West Kilbride Yuletide group received nearly £2,000 for putting on Friday's event, which included the replacement of the electrical system for the festive lighting.
Largs Music Club are recipients of £1,000, and Cumbrae Community Garden are also set to receive the same total of funding for improvements.
Other award winners included the following:
Community Roots Social Horticulture for Experts & Dummies (SHED) Grow at Home - £1,000
Tai Chi -£1,000
West Kilbride Village Gala - £992
Coffee Cadenzas Community Coffee Concert Series - £940
West Kilbride Community Council - £950
Douglas Park Project - £300
Skelmorlie Village Hub - £1,000
Skelmorlie Community Garden Little Library £100.
North Ayrshire Council, along with the area's health and social care partnership have provided a total of £198,377 funding commitment to the region as part of their ongoing community empowerment ambition to give local people a direct say in how money is spent.
Cllr Hill added: “The allocated funding will be shared between projects throughout all of the six North Ayrshire localities and these broadly cover the themes of improving local life and wellbeing, helping residents during the cost-of-living crisis, connecting people in local communities, promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, tackling climate change and promoting healthy and active communities. So these projects are set to make a real difference for everyone involved.
“I very much look forward to seeing how we can work together to develop more opportunities to ‘Shape North Ayrshire’ and build stronger, resilient, and more connected communities.”
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