Applications for Financial Assistance
Perth and Kinross Council · 25 November 2024
Back to Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee — 25 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee 25 November 2024 APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Report by Strategic Lead - Housing & Communities (Report No. 24/326) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The report asks Aberfeldy Common Good Committee to consider one small grant application for financial assistance. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: (i) Consider the application and agree any financial assistance to be awarded 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background / Main Issues • Section 5: Proposals: Small Grant • Section 6: Conclusion 4. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 4.1 Perth and Kinross Council owns land and property which forms part of the Common Good of the former burghs in Perth and Kinross and has a statutory duty in terms of section 15 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 to administer this land and property “having regard to the interests of the inhabitants” of those former burghs. This duty also applies to the administration of the associated Common Good Funds. 4.2 The Common Good Funds have traditionally demonstrated their support to local residents and organisations by distributing grants. These grant awards allow individuals and local organisations to carry out a wide range of community-based activities. 4.3 Applications to Common Good Funds vary across the different former burghs of Perth and Kinross. This report is for the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund.
Page 2
4.4 A summary of the projected surplus, committed grant funding, and the surplus remaining, is provided below: 5. PROPOSALS – SMALL GRANTS Birks Cinema Trust 5.1 Birks Cinema Trust are seeking £2,500 towards their Mezzanine floor extension project. 5.2 The Birks Cinema Trust owns and operates the Birks Cinema and Café in Aberfeldy. Its main purpose is to provide access to world class film and cultural activities for the local community. As a community hub for the town, it offers and hosts a diverse range of activities delivered by the Trust and by other community organisations. These range from serving as a warm bank in the winter, Gaelic language events, Lego club, and yoga for neurodivergent people. 5.3 The current Mezzanine first floor is open to the ground floor which limits the types and timings of event which can be held due to noise. Additionally, a recommendation has come from Warm Connects that enclosing the first floor would reduce heat loss and improve the eco efficiency of the building. There would also be benefits to fire safety. Following consultation with relevant stakeholders on how to deliver financial sustainability for the Trust, increased space was identified. 5.4 With the newly separate first floor the Birks would have an additional space for up to 50 people and hope to expand their offerings of live music performances, lectures, and discussion groups. 5.5 Other local community groups will be involved in the project and will produce the soft furnishings and finishes. 5.6 It is estimated that 1400 people from the Common Good Area would benefit from this project. 2024/25 projected surplus £5,700 Value of grants paid and committed £500 Remaining projected uncommitted surplus £5,200 Value of funding requested and under consideration £2,500
Page 3
5.7 Costs are detailed in the table below. Although an award from the Common Good Fund would still leave the project with a shortfall, the Trust are in talks with various funders to make up this funding gap. Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Building costs Quote following tender exercise £68,833 Professional Fees (architect and structural engineer) Quote £9,860 Staff Costs during closure period (5-week closure period expected for works to be completed) Historic time records using Real Living wage for non- salaried staff £26,000 Total proposed expenditure £104,693 Contribution from Individual/Group (from unrestricted funds) £7,800 SSEN Griffin and Calliachar Fund (approved towards total of staff costs and contribution to other costs) £79,832 Funding Requested from Aberfeldy Common Good Fund £2,500 Consideration 5.8 Committee is asked to consider the request in the report and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. 6. CONCLUSION 6.1 The Committee is asked to consider the application and agree any financial assistance to be awarded.
Page 4
Authors Name Designation Contact Details Sarah Kimmet David Stoke Community Empowerment Officer Service Manager Communities 01738 475000 EPLCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Elaine Ritchie Strategic Lead Housing and Communities 25 October 2024 APPENDICES • None
Page 5
ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION, AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce None Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Equality Impact Assessment None Strategic Environmental Assessment None Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) None Legal and Governance None Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan None 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan 1.1 The proposals will contribute to the Community Plan’s aim of safe, healthy and inclusive communities and the outcome of communities will have improved quality of life. Corporate Plan 1.2 The proposals will contribute to the Corporate Plan’s priorities of tackling poverty and supporting and promoting physical and mental wellbeing. 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 The Strategic Lead, Finance & Business Support has been consulted and has indicated agreement with the proposals. The recommendations contained within this report will be funded from the 2024/25 Financial Assistance budget.
Page 6
Workforce 2.2 Not applicable. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 Not applicable. 3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 3.2 This section should reflect that the proposals have been considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) with the following outcome: Assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.4 However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. This is because the Committee are requested to note the contents of the report only and the Committee are not being requested to approve, adopt or agree to an action or to set the framework for future decisions. Sustainability 3.5 Not applicable. Legal and Governance 3.6 Not applicable.
Page 7
Risk 3.7 Not applicable. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 The Strategic Lead, Finance and Business Support and the Strategic Lead, Legal and Governance have been consulted. External 4.2 Not applicable. 5. Communication 5.1 Not applicable. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 None.