TWENTY community projects in Helensburgh and Lomond are set for a funding boost from Argyll and Bute Council – but another two are listed to miss out.
The authority is allocating its supporting communities fund (SCF) for 2025/26, with £22,500 available in each of its four administrative areas.
Up to £1,500 is available to each applying project, with seven of the initiatives proposed to receive that amount in a report to go before councillors.
In total, 19 are planned to be allocated the full amount they requested, with another one to receive part of their request.
Councillors will be asked to agree the allocations at a meeting of the authority’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Tuesday, September 9.
Helensburgh and Lomond Highland Games, Geilston Hall management committee and Fun First are among those recommended for the maximum £1,500 grant.
Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, and the Cove and Kilcreggan 10k, are also listed for the maximum award, while others are earmarked to receive four-figure sums which they requested.
The two applicants recommended to receive no award are Stopgap Community Cinema and Helensburgh Art Club.
However, the committee can overrule the recommendations of council officers, so there may yet be a possibility for organisations not listed for funding.
Council chief executive Pippa Milne said: “Of the 22 applications received none were withdrawn or ineligible. Eleven are new applicants to the fund within the last two years.
“The projects recommended will deliver a range of activities from sessional hours to support children’s development, including children with special educational needs, to community meals, woodland restoration, litter picks, halls, Highland Games, music and Gaelic.”
Ms Milne added: “Changes to the SCF in 2025/26 include an online application form and a reduced maximum award per project.
“These were implemented following a review after last year’s round of SCF, which included feedback from community groups, officers and comments from area committees.
“The SCF is assessed through a robust process which involves community development team contact with the applicant to verify any information where required.
“All applicants need to provide satisfactory essential information on governance and finance to be eligible. Scoring is based on a set of criteria outlined in the guidance and made available on the council’s website.”
