Applications for Financial Assistance
Perth and Kinross Council · 4 May 2026
Back to Perth Common Good Fund Committee — 4 May 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 inequalities ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Perth Common Good Fund Committee Date of Meeting: 4 May 2026 Report Title: Applications for Financial Assistance Report Number: 26/119 Report Author: Sarah Kimmet, Community Empowerment Officer communityempowerment@pkc.gov.uk Organisational Lead: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The report asks Perth Common Good Fund Committee to consider six small grant applications, one with an additional capital element. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendations 3. Background / Main Issues 4. Proposals - Small Grants 5. Conclusion 6. Impact and Value Assessment 7. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Consider the grant applications and agree any financial assistance to be awarded. 3. Background / Main Issues 3.1 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
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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. 3.2 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. 3.3 Applications to Common Good Funds vary across the different former burghs of Perth and Kinross. The Perth Common Good Fund is larger and receives a much higher number of applications than the other Funds. Therefore, additional criteria are applied to assist with assessing applications (See Appendix 1). 3.4 The 2026/27 Budget for the Perth Common Good Fund was approved at the Committee meeting on 2 February 2026 (Report 26/30 refers). A summary of the approved Financial Assistance budget, committed grant funding, and the budget remaining, is provided below: 2026/27 Financial Assistance Budget St John’s Kirk Carillon Perth Strathearn Round Table City of Perth Salute Perth Mela Festival Small Grants Capital Grants £2,000 £20,000 £17,500 £17,500 £80,000 £60,000 Value of grants paid and committed St Johns Kirk Carillon Perth Strathearn Round Table City of Perth Salute Perth Mela Festival Small Grants Capital Grants £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 Remaining Financial Assistance Budget St Johns Kirk Carillon Perth Strathearn Round Table City of Perth Salute Perth Mela Festival Small Grants Capital Grants £2,000 £20,000 £17,500 £17,500 £80,000 £60,000 Value of funding requested and under consideration St Johns Kirk Carillon Perth Strathearn Round Table City of Perth Salute Perth Mela Festival Small Grants Capital Grants £0 £0 £17,500 £17,500 £9,092 £367
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4. Proposals - Small Grants (With capital element in relation to 5.7) Perth High School Parent Council 4.1 Perth High School Parent Council are seeking £2,000 towards the outdoor education costs for 8 young people to attend the Starfish Way programme. 4.2 The Starfish Way is a transformative outdoor learning and personal development programme. Delivered by the Perth & Kinross Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Association, this initiative supports young people aged 8– 25 facing significant barriers such as poverty, mental health challenges, additional support needs, and lack of opportunity. Funding will ensure inclusive access to therapeutic, skill-building experiences that foster confidence, resilience, and achievement. The need for this has come through the Staged Level of Intervention framework and will help to support young people to access learning at Level 3 intervention which involves external partnerships and direct interventions out of school in order to meet the identified needs. The ‘Explorer’ Starfish Way is a 25-week programme for young people and includes a branded hoodie, DofE registration and assessor fees, expedition equipment hire, a one-off horse therapy session with Minds and Manes and a DofE Bronze expedition. Some of the activities included in the programme are bushcraft, archery, canoeing, green woodworking, and forest bathing. 4.3 Full costs for 8 young people will be £6,390. The school have been asked to raise £2,000 of this, the rest has been supported by the Starfish Way. Individuals attending come from disadvantaged backgrounds and therefore grant funding is being sought rather than asking individuals for contributions. Funding will contribute towards transport costs, activity materials and equipment, staff and volunteer training, meals and refreshments during sessions, award registration fees and accessibility adaptations. 8 young people from the common good area will benefit. 4.4 A breakdown of project costs is detailed below: Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Starfish Way Programme Costs Quote from Starfish Way £6,390 Total proposed expenditure £6,390 Starfish Way £4,390 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £2,000 4.5 Perth High School Parent Council have not received funding from Perth Common Good Fund in the previous three years. Consideration 4.6 In line with Criteria 9.8 committee are asked to consider the application and agree any level of funding to be awarded.
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Perth Academy Parent Council 4.7 Perth Academy Parent Council are seeking £1,000 revenue funding towards the World Challenge trip to Mozambique and Estwatini and £367 capital funding for trip equipment. 4.8 A group of young people from S5 and S6 at Perth Academy will travel to Mozambique and Estwatini from 10 June to 9 July 2026. When there, the group will work with the communities to promote sustainable farming, environmental projects, and carry out tasks that will benefit the community. They will specifically be working on a marine conservation project as well as beach cleaning and plastics collections. The projects will be led, organized and run by the young people themselves. 14 young people and 1 teacher from the Common Good Area will be participating. 4.9 The young people have been engaged in fundraising for the trip over a two- year period. They have worked in small groups to carry out fundraising events, and the school has supported with whole group events. These have included raffles, bag packing, quizzes, charity shops, race nights, bake sales, bingo teas, and fairs. The school have worked hard to make the opportunity open to students from all backgrounds. Parents have made contributions and some pupils have also contributed through their own jobs. SSE have contributed match funding and SSE employees have been involved in some of the fundraising events. In addition to trip costs, equipment costs will include items such as water bottles with filters, mosquito nets, and sprays. Funding will also support with the purchase of a go-pro camera so the pupils can document and share their experience via a video diary. 4.10 A breakdown of project costs is detailed below: Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Revenue Costs Coach hire to and from airport Quote £250 Vaccinations Quote £580 Cost of Trip £5695 x 14 £79,730 Capital Costs Go-pro camera Quote £500 Equipment – water bottles with filters, mosquito nets and sprays Bottle £35 x 15 Nets £25 x 15 Sprays £9.75 x 7 £968.25 T-shirts and hoodies for group Invoice £768 Total proposed expenditure £82,796.25 SSE Funding £1,500 Individual contributions TBC Fundraising events TBC Ineligible capital costs (t-shirt and hoodies purchased prior to CGF application) £768 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £1,000
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4.11 Perth Academy Parent Council have not received funding from Perth Common Good Fund in the previous three years. Consideration 4.12 A revenue grant of up to £1,000 is considered consistent with criteria 9.7. 4.13 A capital award of up to £367 would be considered consistent with criteria 10.3 City of Perth Salute 4.14 The Perth and Kinross Council Events Team are seeking £17,500 towards the 2026 City of Perth Salute. 4.15 Inspired in 2017 by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo outreach performance, a decision was made for Perth to create its own event. The City of Perth Salute is set to return for its 7th year to Perth City in June 2026. The parade of international pipe and military bands is joined by local bands from across Perthshire, in this free family event. The event consists of a parade which will commence from the South Inch to the North Inch, along Tay Street. The event culminates in an arena performance on the North Inch. The parade features international marching bands as well as guest bands from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Steel bands, jazz bands, Mariachi bands, accordion band and Samba aim to bring a carnival feel to the parade. Local bands will also take part including Perthshire Brass, the Black Watch ACF Band, and Perth and District Pipe Band. There will also be representation from the Sea Cadets, Army and Air Cadets as well as Boys Brigade, Scouts, and Girl Guides along with the junior elements of these youth organisations. Outside of the arena there is a fringe event which consists of vintage militaria and vehicles. 4.16 It is expected that 1,750 people from the Common Good Area will attend the event, with a further 3,200 attending from elsewhere in Perth and Kinross and 800 from further afield. 4.17 A breakdown of project costs is detailed below: Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Hire of Grandstands Based on 2025 costs £17,500 Arena Stewarding Based on 2025 costs £6,250 Hire of PA system Based on 2025 costs £5,000 Tracking and Road Closures Based on 2025 costs £8,500 Visitor Signage Based on 2025 costs £1,000 Arena Acts and Bands Based on 2025 costs £15,750 Additional Military Fringe Area Based on 2025 costs £6,300 Parade Entertainers Based on 2025 costs £8,600
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Questionaries and economic analysis Based on 2025 costs £1,500 Total proposed expenditure £70,400 PKC Events Budget £52,900 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £17,500 4.18 The City of Perth Salute has received the following funding over the previous three years: Year Award Event 2025/26 £17,500 Perth Salute 2025 2024/25 £17,500 Perth Salute 2026 Consideration 4.19 An award of up to £17,500 is in line with the current annual allowance for the City of Perth Salute. Zielone Płomyki Cub Scout Unit 4.20 Zielone Płomyki Cub Scout Unit are seeking £1,000 towards their 2026 Summer Camp ‘In the Land of Imagination’. 4.21 Zielone Płomyki is a Cub Scout unit based in Perth and part of the Polish Scouting Association (ZHP). They provide regular weekly activities and outdoor experiences for children aged 7–11, focusing on teamwork, creativity, responsibility and personal development through the scouting method. Activities include weekly meetings, community events, outdoor education and residential camps. The programme helps children build confidence, develop practical skills and form friendships in a safe and supportive environment. The group is entirely volunteer-led and supported by parents and members of the local community. 4.22 The summer camp will take place from 6 – 12 July 2026 at Jock Neish Scouting Centre. 28 children aged 7–11 from the Common Good Area will attend and will be supported by 5 adult volunteers and 5 young leaders aged 15-18. During the camp the children will take part in a structured programme built around earning the Cub Scout group badge “In the Land of Imagination”. Activities will focus on creativity, teamwork, outdoor learning and confidence building. The programme will include crafts, problem-solving challenges, storytelling activities and cooperative games. The children will also take part in a supervised swimming session and an educational visit to Camera Obscura in Edinburgh, where they will explore visual illusions and interactive exhibits linked to the theme of imagination. Residential camps are a core part of the scouting method. They provide children with an opportunity to spend time outdoors, learn practical skills, develop independence and build friendships through shared experiences. For many children this is also one of
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the few opportunities during the summer holidays to take part in a structured group activity away from home. Families are involved through fundraising activities such as community coffee mornings and seasonal events organised by the parent support group. Families will make contributions towards the cost of the camp, but funding supports to keep costs lower and make sure children are not excluded due to financial circumstances. 4.23 A breakdown of costs is detailed below: Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Accommodation Quote £2,041 Food Estimate £2,450 Swimming Quote £121 Camera Obscura Quote £611 Materials Estimate £200 Transport Quote £650 Total proposed expenditure £6,073 Robertson Trust Wee Grants (pending) £2,652 Contributions from families £2,421 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £1,000 4.24 Zielone Płomyki Cub Scout Unit have received the following funding in the previous three financial years: Year Award Project 2025/26 £900 Summer Camp 2025 2024/25 £1,000 Marine Adventure Camp 2023/24 £1,000 Summer Camp 2023 2023/24 £668 Discovering Scotland Project Consideration 4.25 A grant of up to £1,000 is considered consistent with criteria 9.7 JGN Dance Attic 4.26 JGN Dance Attic are seeking £5,092 towards their 2026 Dance Show. 4.27 JGN Dance Attic is a community dance school in Perth run by Jackie Nicoll as sole trader. The school provides dance education and creative opportunities for children and young people. They aim to nurture confidence, creativity, and wellbeing though accessible dance training in a supportive and inclusive environment. As well as having teams who compete nationally and internationally, the studio holds a large-scale community dance production every two years allowing dancers the opportunity to gain valuable
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performance experience, develop discipline and teamwork, and achieve recognition for their dedication and talent. 4.28 The 2026 dance show will take place on 20 June at Perth Concert Hall. Grant funding will support with costs of hiring the concert hall. The event will be supported by volunteers on the day. 100 young people from the Common Good area aged between 3 and 18 will take part, with a further 60 young people from the surrounding area also participating. They hope to sell 750 tickets and based on previous shows expect 50% of these people to be from the Common Good area. Funding is being sought to help with rising costs of running the show. This will help keep ticket costs and costs for dancers lower, to maintain accessibility for local families. The event will not be profit making, money raised from ticket sales will go towards show costs. The group have carried out some fundraising throughout the year and will continue with fundraising events to support the show. 4.29 A breakdown of costs is detailed below: Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Venue Hire at Perth Concert Hall Quote/Contract £10,560 Costumes and props Estimate £8,000 PRS Performance Licence Estimate £300 Marketing and social media Estimate £600 Photography and video documentation Estimate £1,500 Project coordination and admin Estimate £500 Choreography Lead & Creative Director 3 x Choreographers £3,200 Music editing and sound design Estimate £300 Contingency Estimate £500 Total proposed expenditure £25,460 Ticket Sales (750 x £20 minus commission and levy) £10,250 Fundraising so far £2,350 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £5,092 4.30 JGN Dance Attic have not received Common Good Funding in the previous three financial years. Consideration 4.31 A grant of up to £5,092 is considered consistent with criteria 9.2b Perth and Kinross Mela Festival Association 4.32 The Perth and Kinross Mela Association are seeking their annual allocated budget of £17,500 towards the annual Mela Celebrations.
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4.33 The summer Mela Festival, which is scheduled to be held this year on 22 August, is a celebration of world music, dance, and culture which features a colourful parade and day of celebrations at the North Inch. The event offers various types of music, dance, food, and crafts to bring all communities together. The aim is to create closer ties within Perth and visibly celebrate culture, inclusion, and diversity by inviting the local community to participate in culturally inclusive activities and events, promoting cultural harmony. The event also increases footfall to the city, supporting local businesses. The event is free to the public to attend and in previous years has attracted 10,000 visitors from across Perth and Kinross as well as further afield. It is estimated that 7000 people form the Common Good Area will benefit from the event. Funding will support with essential costs such as stage, sound, performances, and event infrastructure to ensure the event is safe, inclusive, and accessible to all. 4.34 A breakdown of costs is detailed below: Specific items Basis of Costing Amount Staging/Lighting/Sound Estimate based on previous years £8,000 Acts Estimate based on previous years £5,000 Marquees/Stalls/Tables/Chairs/Waste Facilities/Toilets Estimate based on previous years £7,000 Security/Event Control/First Aid Estimate based on previous years £3,000 Total proposed expenditure £23,000 PKC Equalities (secured) £1,000 The National Lottery (pending) £8,000 Sponsorships/Donations (pending) £2,000 Funding Requested from Perth Common Good Fund £17,500 4.35 Whilst awarding the full £17,500 would put the festival in surplus, the Association would like to apply their full allocation and will only claim for any shortfall not covered by other funding. 4.36 Prior to forming the Mela Association funding was applied for by the partner organisations. The festival has received the following over the previous three financial years: Year Award Organisation 2023/24 £20,000 Perth Minorities Association 2024/25 £15,800 Perth and Kinross Mela Association 2025/26 £17,500 Perth and Kinross Mela Association
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Consideration 4.37 A grant of up to £17,500 is in line with their annual budget allocation. 5. Conclusion 5.1 The Committee is asked to consider the applications and agree any financial assistance to be awarded. 6. Impact and Value Assessment 6.1 Perth_Common_Good_Fund_Applications_for_Financial_Support.pdf 7. Appendices 7.1 Perth Common Good Fund Criteria