TEN community projects in Argyll and Bute will receive funding this year – despite a proposal to remove the funding pot as a savings option.
Councillors agreed that awards totalling £104,500 would be distributed in the latest round of the council’s supporting communities fund.
Awards include £30,000 towards the Cowal Highland Gathering, £15,000 each towards the Mull Rally and Argyllshire Gathering Highland Games. Festive events including Oban Winter Festival and Helensburgh’s Christmas lights switch-on will also benefit.
A savings option listed as part of the council’s budgeting pack had proposed ending the fund, but added that the saving would not be deliverable in 2026/27 if the awards were agreed.
The agreement to award the funding was made at a meeting of the council’s policy and resources committee on Thursday, February 19.
A spokesperson for Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust said: “The elves were delighted to listen to the meeting today and note that their request for an events and festivals grant was agreed. They were pleased to note that they were only one of ten grants awarded out of 26 applications.
“The award of £5000 is for the switch-on event only, it cannot be used for anything to do with the lights themselves.
“It pays for all the infrastructure for the event, such as the stage, PA system, characters and stewards and it makes the event viable and of course free to anyone who wishes to attend.
“In order to secure the £5000 the trust has to show an income this year of £25,000 so they have to raise an additional £20,000 or the grant will be withheld.
“The elves hope to do this again this year, they have done it for the past two years, and can confirm that all being well Helensburgh will get its lights display in 2026 and Santa already has the date in his busy diary.
“We would like to thank the council staff in economic development for their support and everyone else in Helensburgh who contributes to the lights and of course all those who turn up on the day and show their support for the elves.”
