Two worthwhile community projects in Badenoch and Strathspey have been awarded new funding following a special meeting of the Area Committee yesterday (13 February 2023).
A decision on funding for the projects had been deferred from last week’s full Area Committee meeting to ensure all members were present during the decision-making process.
Yesterday, members at the special meeting of the Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee, unanimously approved the repurposing of funding from the Ward’s COVID-19 Fund and Place Based Investment Fund for two specific projects.
They agreed to repurpose £4,068 from the Ward’s COVID-19 Fund to help Cairngorm Mountain Trust’s school skiing project and £10,000 from its Place Based Investment Fund to help Kingussie Camanachd Club complete the second phase of its Market Stance Playing Field Upgrade.
The School Skiing Project provides an opportunity for primary seven school pupils across Badenoch and Strathspey to learn how to ski.
It will support P7 school children from all primary schools in Badenoch & Strathspey. Today’s fresh cash injection by Badenoch & Strathspey Area Committee will be used to fund travel costs.
The Market Stance Playing Fields will regenerate the sporting activities of groups in Kingussie, and the increased physical activity will have a clear positive improvement on people’s “wellbeing” both physically and socially.
It was agreed at a meeting of the Highland Council on 7 January 2021 that Wards with unspent COVID-19 funds could decide to spend this on projects that would assist children and adults post-COVID, especially within deprived areas.
Members also agreed to help community projects with any Ward 20 Place Based Investment Fund underspend.
Chair of the Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee, Cllr Russell Jones, said:
“We are delighted to have been able to approve the repurposing of funds from the COVID-19 and Place Based Investment Fund to assist two fantastic projects within the ward.
“Both projects will deliver tangible benefits to not only our young people but our communities in Badenoch and Strathspey.”
He added:
“The School Skiing Project and the Camanachd Project both represent hope and positivity going forward.
“The health, wellbeing and social benefits they will deliver are crucial as we continue our recovery from COVID-19.”
