Applications for Financial Assistance
Perth and Kinross Council · 7 September 2026
Back to Crieff Common Good Fund Committee — 7 September 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Crieff Common Good Fund Committee Date of Meeting: 7 September 2026 Report Title: Applications for Financial Assistance Report Number: 26/230 Report Author: Sarah Kimmet, Community Empowerment Officer communityempowerment@pkc.gov.uk Organisational Lead: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead for Housing and Communities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The report asks Crieff Common Good Fund Committee to consider two grant applications. 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Consider the grant 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: Proposal • Section 6: Conclusion • Section 7: Impact and Value Assessment • Section 8: Appendix
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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 The 2026/27 Budget for the Crieff Common Good Fund was approved at the Committee meeting on 29 April 2026 (Report 26/118 refers). A summary of the approved Financial Assistance budget, committed grant funding, and the budget remaining, is provided below: 2026/27 Financial Assistance Budget £1,500 Value of grants paid and committed £500 Remaining Financial Assistance Budget £1,000 Value of funding requested and under consideration £1,000 5. Proposals Royal Voluntary Service 5.1 RVS are seeking £500 towards their 2026/27 minibus growth scheme. 5.2 RVS coordinate 150 volunteers across Perth & Kinross to specifically support the elderly community. They run lunch clubs, social clubs, a Home from Hospital service, the Support You at Home service, and Strength and Balance classes. They support 10 council run sheltered housing complexes and other non-council run facilities with entertainment. RVS have a service level agreement with Perth and Kinross Council which includes the aim of growing the number of clients attending clubs and events. It became clear that transport to and from activities was a barrier for individuals and therefore RVS applied and were successful in obtaining a minibus through the PKC Community Minibus Scheme. Since being awarded the minibus, they have used this to expand their offer across Perth and Kinross where elderly people can meet new friends and participate in new activities. They have created clubs at 21 sheltered housing complexes offering Boccia bowls, reminisce clubs and exercise classes. Additionally, they have created a Boccia league where they transport residents from each site to visit others in friendly competition.
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A monthly club has also been started at the library for memory discussions. The most recent club is at Morrisons supermarket where they run a shopping and lunch club and this has been very well received. To respond to interest from each home RVS have prepared an additional 9 volunteer drivers to build the transport service. Reports on work carried out each month are shared with PKC, and a copy of a recent report with resident feedback is available in appendix one. 5.3 As RVS continue to respond to growing interest, they expect to support over 300 attendances at clubs by residents of Crieff. Residents from other Common Good areas will also benefit as part of the wider programme. 5.4 A breakdown of project costs is detailed below: Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Vehicle Running Costs £100 fuel per week £5,000 Insurance and Breakdown Cover Based on last year’s costs £1,500 Servicing Based on last year’s costs £3,000 Volunteer Costs Based on last year’s costs £1,500 Total proposed expenditure £11,000 Funding Requested from Alyth Common Good Fund £350 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £8,000 Funding Requested from Kinross Common Good Fund £500 Funding Requested from Pitlochry Common Good Fund £500 Additional funding still to be sourced £1,150 Funding Requested from Crieff Common Good Fund £500 5.5 RVS have received the following funding from Crieff Common Good Fund in the previous three years. Year Award Project 2025/26 £250 Minibus Project Consideration 5.6 The Committee is asked to consider the request and determine the level of any grant to be awarded. Richmond House 5.7 Richmond House are seeking £500 towards their 2026 Christmas Party. 5.8 Richmond Community is an organisation committed to building connections and delivering vital support services to individuals within the community. They focus on enhancing mental well-being, facilitating social interactions, and fostering a sense of belonging. Their key programmes include: Befriending Service, Carers Cafe, Health Walks, Friendship Group, and Health Walks on Tour.
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5.9 Grant funding is being sought to support the annual Richmond Community Christmas Party. This event will bring together local community groups, volunteers and residents to celebrate a special time of year, while also recognising that Christmas can be a difficult and isolating period for many people in the local community. The Christmas celebration will be held on 10 December at the Royal British Legion. This venue has been chosen because the hospital day room would not be able to accommodate the number of people hoped to attend. A local musician will provide Christmas music, and local caterers, Gourlay, will provide the buffet. Richmond House also plan to approach the local supermarket to ask whether they would be willing to donate a small Christmas gift for everyone attending the party. The event will be a valuable opportunity to thank the many volunteers who give their time throughout the year to ensure the community groups run smoothly. The number of local people who attend these groups each week demonstrates how successful and valued they have become over the years. The Christmas Party will help strengthen community connections, reduce loneliness and ensure that volunteers and residents feel appreciated, included and supported at Christmas. 5.10 It is expected that 85 people from the Common Good area, and 7 from elsewhere in Perth and Kinross will benefit. Most of these people are adults over the age of 65 years. 5.11 A breakdown of project costs is detailed below Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Catering £11 x 70 £770 Venue Hire £15 per hour x 5 hours £75 Entertainment Local musician £110 Small Gift for each participant £3 x 70 £210 Total Proposed Expenditure £1165 Funding Requested from Crieff Common Good Fund £500 5.12 Richmond House has received the following funding from Crieff Common Good Fund in the previous three years: Year Award Project 2024/25 £500 Christmas Party 2024 2023/24 £500 Christmas Party 2023 Consideration 5.13 The Committee is asked to consider the request and determine the level of any grant to be awarded.
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6. Conclusion 6.1 The Committee is asked to consider the applications and agree any financial assistance to be awarded. 7. Impact and Value Assessment Crieff Common Good Fund - Applications for Financial Assistance 8. Appendix 8.1 Appendix 1: Recent RVS Activity Report