Community projects supported by Kincardine and Mearns area committee funding

A men’s shed, rural development partnership and an arts collective have all received funding from the Kincardine and Mearns area committee budget.

The trio of local projects were welcomed by members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee when they met on Tuesday (Sept 23).

Kincardineshire Development Partnership has received £1,238 in principle towards a £12,372 pilot project for a community-led tourism network. The aim is to launch a pilot scheme for the coastal strip from Catterline to St Cyrus, with the group looking to bring together relevant groups and organisations to ensure tourism is sustainable and works for the benefit of local communities. Councillors agreed the funding subject to the full funding package being assembled. 

Also being supported with £1,001 was the Tangleha Artists Collective to undertake a project to install 930 tonnes of rock armour to safeguard against erosion and storm damage of the coastal trail at Tangleha, properties and low-lying farmland. With planning permission now approved, the group is hoping to start work in October this year, again subject to covering the £102,000 cost of the scheme.

Portlethen & District Men's Shed was awarded £616 to help it update their battery-operated hand tools and add some items of new equipment, with match funding coming from the group’s own funds.

Area committee chair Cllr Sarah Dickinson said: “Once again we were delighted to support three projects which will have a very positive effect on many of our communities. Our area committee budget is very much focused on supporting projects and initiatives which respond to evidenced local needs and we were very impressed with the aims and outcomes of these latest applications. A key aspect of our budget is that it can be used to top up other funding sources which helps kickstart projects and make good things happen in our communities.”

The Kincardine and Mearns area committee budget supports local projects which address community needs within the area. Funding is prioritised for initiatives which promote community economic development and which demonstrate a connection to local planning and empowerment frameworks such as community action plans, settlement plans, the town centre first approach and the Local Community Plan.

Councillors have been advised that there is now a remaining balance of just under £18,000 in the budget which groups have until February 28 next year to apply for. 

For more information including funding criteria and an application form, visit https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/funding/kincardine-and-mearns#area