Supporting Communities Fund - Monitoring of Projects Funded
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 September 2023
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Committee — 5 September 2023 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL BUTE & COWAL AREA COMMITTEE COMMUNITY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 5 September 2023 SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES FUND - Monitoring of Projects Funded 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide monitoring information on the funding given to community projects from the council’s Supporting Communities Fund. 1.2 The time period of this report covers projects funded within 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22. Due to the disruption of Covid 19 on the planned funded projects of community groups, the council agreed to lengthen the time projects had to be delivered. Therefore this report summarises projects completed within the years disrupted by Covid 19. 1.3 Members are asked to consider the contents of the report showing a summary of the information supplied by organisations in their End of Project Monitoring Reports. 1.4 Members are asked to note the return of monies and that these will be available to fund projects in future rounds of the Supporting Communities Fund.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL BUTE & COWAL AREA COMMITTEE COMMUNITY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 5 September 2023 SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES FUND - Monitoring of Projects Funded 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report highlights the positive outcomes for communities in Bute and Cowal through the allocation of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund between 2019/20 and 2021/22. 2.2 A total of 47 projects were awarded funding. Due to the challenges throughout that period for community groups and adjustments that had to be made to the running of their projects, it has been more challenging to receive an End of Project Monitoring Report from all awards of funding. These were exceptional years and we are grateful to the 43 grant recipients who were able to submit information for this report. 2.3 A total of £3,787.28 in total has been returned; £559.19 to be included in the distribution of the SCF for 2024/25 with the other funds included and redistributed in previous years. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Bute and Cowal Area Committee: 3.1 Note and consider the positive contribution of the Supporting Communities Fund detailed in section 4 and the attached table. 3.3 Note that a total of £3,787.28 in total has been returned; £559.19 to be included in the distribution of the SCF for 2024/25 with the other funds included and redistributed in previous years. . 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 The funded projects supported approximately 11,827 people to participate in a variety of activities including outdoor activities, sports,
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music and mental health. Highlights include: The rejuvenation of a multi-use sports court, allowing a number of fitness and social activities, including tennis, tai chi and youth group games to take place in Strachur. Staff training for a special submersible boat hoist for Toward Sailing Club, part of a wider project that will secure the long term future of the club. A project by Friends of Riverbank Bird Hide included improving pathways for people with mobility issues and wheelchair users and installation of a willow hedge safety barrier, improving and increasing safe access for all. Dunoon Community (Men’s Shed) woodwork shed installed a dust extractor, this is an active move to improve the workshop environment and Health and Safety for volunteers many of whom are retired. The men’s shed model is seen as having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of its membership. 4.2 The attached table summarises information received from individual projects. 4.3 43 grant recipients have submitted an End of Project Monitoring Report. 4.4 Note that a total of £3,787.28 in total has been returned; £559.19 to be included in the distribution of the SCF for 2024/25. The return of funds is a combination of projects under budget or funds unable to be spent. 4.5 In the 2020/21 funding cycle, Rothesay Joint Campus Parent Council were granted an extension to November 2023 to complete their project of delivering a course of British Sign Language. They are listed as project no. 12 in the 2020/21 list.
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2019/20 SCF Round of Funding No Organisation Project Funded Award End of Project Achievements No. of people in communities benefitting 1 1st Rothesay Boys Brigade Costs for trips to try skiing, rockclimbing, skateboarding and an activity morning £1,757.00 This session parental engagement was sought to help us manage the off-island trips. It was very heartening to see so many PARENTS take an interest in the activities. These off-island activities were a huge success with the boys definitely being inspired and pushed beyond their usual comfort zone. 18 2 ACT - Argyll & the Isles Coast & Countryside Trust Moving On sessions for mental health £2,000.00 The sessions took place out of doors and the trained staff facilitated the activities such as green wood working, shelter building, camp fire cooking and conservation tasks. Each session participants shared a communal meal. 11 3 Argyll Arts Collective Venue Hire, Fees for visiting companies, admin and marketing costs and licences for a series of productions in local village halls £2,000.00 We provided an array of live performances that were suitable across the board for all ages to enjoy and at an affordable price. We increased the accessibility of the arts to the public throughout Cowal, by organising events in Lochgoilhead and Cairndow which brought audiences from the villages of Carrick Castle, and even as far as Tarbet and Dunoon. 300 4 Bute Community Forest (payment to be sent to Bute Community Land Company) Support 6 forest projects and the purchase of small tools to enable tree planting, woodcraft activities £1,000.00 The events allowed new and returning community residents to spend time in and enjoy the Community Forest, and to learn about the natural environment. Families engaged with the events. The Funghi Foray was the second time this event has been run, reaching new audiences. 87 5 Bute Shinty Club Equipment & uniforms £1,830.00 We purchased all the equipment for training and matches, we hired the 3g pitch for 10 evening sessions which were completed. The Covid 19 virus has curtailed our shinty season, the ladies only managed to play 2 away and one home match. We were involved with the local secondary and primary schools providing coaches and equipment, we have also taken sessions with pre-school children to introduce them to our sport, again this has stopped due to the current restrictions on sport. 50 6 ButeFest 19 Marquee Hire, art & craft £2,000.00 The festival went ahead as planned with around 1500 crew, 1,200
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2019/20 SCF Round of Funding workshops, facilitators and materials to decorate the site volunteers & festival goers. The funding we received meant there were a variety of workshops & activities in the Arts & craft workshop marque for festival goers to enjoy. These ranged from green woodworking, tie-dye T-shirts, Felting, drumming, Yoga & mindfulness and much more. 7 Cairndow Community Council Dive Survey and application for Marine Licence £1,173.50 EPMR not submitted. n/a 8 Colintraive and Glendaruel Community Council Printing and Volunteer Costs £1,500.00 We produced 4 quarterly full colour newsletters which were delivered to every household, local businesses and some businesses and tourist venues out with ColGlen. Unknown 9 Cowal Cinema Club Cost of 13 Film Screening licences, venue rental marketing £1,911.00 We delivered a once a month screening of an appropriate film for dementia suffers and their carers. We advertised with relevant organisations, care homes, printed materials and in the local newspaper. One volunteer visited the local care homes to inform managers. 200 approx 10 Dunoon Baptist Church Gateway Project Staffing costs for a youth and community worker £2,000.00 Gateway has engaged with over 350 young people through youth groups/clubs, activities and partnership working with the local secondary school including class work, mentoring and PSE workshops. 378 11 Friends of Riverbank Bird Hide Cost of ground works, demolition of current hide, legal cost of transfer of ownership £500.00 We have completed the legal transfer of the hide to the SCIO and it is now registered in our name. With regards to the works, we have just managed to do the initial groundworks. Work has stopped due to Covid19. Unknown 12 Inspiring Innellan 10 A2 size information boards for a nature trail and marketing costs £500.00 It was more complex than anticipated to put the signs together. Covid meant a shortage of manpower and materials to construct signs. Unknown 13 Isle of Bute Resilience Team Cost of Manual Handling and Full First Aid Course £2,000.00 All of the team are trained in Manual Handling and half of the team in First Aid, enabling us to take on larger roles at local events. 20 14 Kirn Primary School Parent Council Watering cans, wheelbarrows, water butt, hand tools for school eco garden £715.00 The children seemed to relish the opportunity to learn outdoors and took real pride in looking after their plants. 285 15 PA23 BID Ltd (Dunoon Hire of venue, consultancy £2,000.00 All nine digital workshops at this free event were sold out. Each 90
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2019/20 SCF Round of Funding Presents) fees, accommodation, travel and marketing costs for a two day #DigiFestDunoon event workshop ran for approximately 45 minutes and the workshops ran simultaneously throughout the day. Although the event was significantly scaled down from the original concept, it most definitely showed and tangibly demonstrated the interest levels that exist within the community for innovative/hands on digital events like this. 16 Rothesay & District Pipe Band Costs of tutors for piping and drumming, chanters, drum sticks and pads £2,000.00 We were able to run a series of evening classes in piping and drumming for local young people between the months of September and March (first 2 weeks only due to covid). Some of the young people who took part in our lessons have subsequently successfully taken part in virtual solo competitions during lockdown. In the Coupar Angus competition we had pupils who were placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th within very high quality, large sections. 49 17 Starter Pack Plus Purchase small electrical appliances, pillows and duvets, insurance and travel costs £500.00 The project has a practical and emotional impact on those who received packs. The pack has a feel-good factor, someone is thinking about the family and helping them to begin again. The pack also offers practical items which allows the family to set up home, and this ultimately avoids repeat homelessness. 16 18 Strachur and District Piping Association Tutor fees, mini bus hire and venue costs for a week long piping summer school £1,173.50 The tuition increased the competence and ability of kids in piping. Built confidence self-esteem through an end of week concert. Continued and built community culture and pride. Brought together different generations and passed on skills and experience. 51 19 The United Church of Bute - Pass It On Project Duvets, toasters, kettles, dishes etc to be distributed as starter packs for vulnerable people. £500.00 The project has managed to provide packs for all requests from Homelessness Officers and Fyne Homes. Unknown
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2020/21 SCF Round of Funding No Organisation Project Funded Award End of Project Achievements No. of people in communities benefitting 1 1st Rothesay Boys Brigade Towards costs of a Bute Club’s camping weekend £1,192.00 Unable to deliver project Returned funds £ 1,192 n/a 2 26th Argyll (Sandbank) Scout Group Towards costs of travel and accommodation for 30 young people to attend an outdoor activity weekend £1,874.00 The Scouts completed a weekend of activities based at the Meggernie Scout Centre in Aberfeldy over the weekend, which had 2 primary activities; an ascent of 2 Munros and white water rafting. The Cubs and Beavers enjoyed a full day of adventure activities, suitable for their ages and abilities. 38 3 Achievement Bute Towards costs of 8 Heritage Hunter events £2,400.00 Working remotely, and involving freelance heritage consultant and a film-maker alongside our own staff and young people we were able to produce a series of 10 short “Bute Heritage Hunt” films, and a digital local history map which were posted online. 14 4 Bute Advice Centre Towards salary costs for a Welfare Rights Officer £2,130.00 Maximising household incomes makes a huge difference to the lives of both children and adults. The contribution of client gain across the year in association with this funding was £97,770.55. Lifting many individuals out of poverty. 95 5 Cowal Police Charitable Trust Annual Cowal Police 5-a-side football £1,263.00 Unable to deliver project – returned funds £1,263 n/a 6 Dunoon Burgh Hall To establish a Youth Arts Advisory Panel programme £2,500.00 Young people aged 14-15 years old from S3 Dunoon Grammar School took part in a 6-week/8 workshop blended arts and cultural programme. The project was led by a professional artist & arts award assessor. 5 of the 8 young people gained an Arts Award Bronze qualification. 8 7 Dunoon Jazz Festival Community Trust Towards costs of digital marketing, design and support and advertising and event promotion £2,500.00 Covid restrictions meant that the festival originally planned to take place in 2020 did not take place until September 2022 when the Trustees delivered a 3 day jazz festival. 240 8 Friends of Glenan Wood Towards cost of PPE equipment, small tools for £2,391.00 Main activities have been Ring Barking, Bracken Clearance, Rhododendron Removal, Path Improvements and Ditch Building Unknown
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2020/21 SCF Round of Funding Volunteers and Maintenance. We have also created a Community Orchard with the clearance of an area and 80 fruit trees planted last year and again tools purchased were well used in the completion of this task. 9 "Kilmun Community Council & Shore Sweepers Road sign for Beginning of A880 ‘Welcome to the Shore Villages’ from the Strone Inn £662.00 We are really pleased at how the sign looks and it has been widely praised throughout the shore villages (Kilmun, Strone, Blairmore and Ardentinny). As well as being an introduction to the area, the sign has a ‘Please Drive Carefully’ message and this may help to slow traffic down through the villages. Unknown 10 Kingarth & Kilchattan Bay Improvements Towards costs of preparation of ground to create a wildflower meadow at the Kilchattan Bay Community Orchard. £1,439.00 Main objective of project was achieved - establishment of wild flower meadow in the Kingarth and Kilchattan Bay Community Orchard. Over 24 varieties of wild flowers were sown along with spring bulbs. This led to: Increased local community participation in orchard activities. Awareness of the local environment. Establishment of honey bee hives in the orchard. Children using the orchard as a play area . Orchard became a focal point of interest for both adults and children . Unknown 11 Lochgoil Community Trust Towards costs of materials, plants and shrubs to complete a Wildlife Garden £1,531.00 The whole garden supports wildlife with a nature pond, foraging hedge, heritage orchard, native trees and ornamental shrubs and a designated area near the pond for a children’s nature garden. The funding was awarded for nature/wildlife planting, composting area and a base for a community toolshed. 400 12 Rothesay Joint Campus Parent Council Costs of running after school family sessions to learn British Sign Language. £920.00 No EPMR returned –project extension pending Oct /Nov 2023 for completion n/a 13 St Andrews Primary Parent Council Towards costs of small tools and equipment required to run an after school pilot project - school magazine £947.00 Unable to deliver full project – returned balance of funds £559.19 n/a 14 The Meeting Place Towards the costs of facilitating complimentary £2,280.00 We were beginning to offer complementary therapies and music therapy, and applied for money to support this and extend it to Unknown
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2020/21 SCF Round of Funding therapy sessions other kinds of therapy. In the event, lockdown curtailed these activities. The Meeting Place continued on Zoom and then under the then meeting restrictions. 15 Toward Sailing Club Cost of specialised training for 4 members to operate a sub lift 12t submersible travel hoist. £2,400.00 The whole project has been highly successful. The hoist is well maintained by a small number of club members. 96
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2021/22 SCF Round of Funding No Organisation Project Funded Award End of Project Achievements No. of people in communities benefitting 1 Argyll Arts Collective To deliver a 6 week community writing project £2,000 Last year alone we had approx. 4,495 attending events throughout Cowal. The Art trail proved to be hugely popular. Cormonachan Woodlands have installed a people counter at the front gates which counted over 2000 people using the woodland during the trail. 4,680 2 BEACHWATCH BUTE SCIO Towards cost of purchasing and installing a 4th storage bench for the collection of marine litter on Bute. £2,000 We are delighted to report that the Litter Storage Benches Project has been very successful. Many ‘users’ of our benches express the sense of satisfaction when using these benches to make a difference and help to lower the amount of marine litter in the environment. Returned unspent funds of £576.80. 200 3 Cairndow Village Hall To help increase hall usage and to start a small gardening project £1,039 We have successfully contributed to providing events where the community can come together. The Book Swap remains ongoing. The creation of a garden group with 12 members meets monthly. 65 4 Dunoon Baptist Church – The Gateway Project To help cover rent and utilities to run a Youth Hub for the young people of Dunoon and Cowal in the former Seasons Coffee shop. £2,000 Our youth worker used the hub to run programmes for at risk young people, taking them from the school for outside lessons and training programmes. Young people who had concerns over mental health and isolation during Covid were able to be part of the hub, coming to small groups for art, games, chat and relaxation. 75 5 Dunoon Men’s Shed (now Dunoon Community Shed) To help install a dust extractor within the Dunoon Men’s woodwork shed. £758 The successful installation and subsequent operation of the dust collection equipment has ensured that the potential hazard of airborne dust has been resolved. It has made working with wood in the Shed a much safer and more environmentally acceptable activity. 100 approx 6 Friends of the Riverbank Hide Kilmun Towards costs of Installing a small pedestrian and traffic safety barrier to improve access to the hide. £1,840 The construction is complete and barriers are in place. Numerous bird watching clubs and members of the community have used the hide. Unknown 7 Isle of Bute Resilience Towards costs of delivering £2,000 This project has given the Isle of Bute resilience team a massive 227
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2021/22 SCF Round of Funding Team First Aid training and Mental Health First Aid Training for the Bute Resilience team. help to saves lives with the training we have had. It could be when we are at an event or when were are out searching for a missing person the team can deal with situations as they arrive. The mental health first aid has been another massive help, we could be out searching for someone that has mental health issues, being trained in how to approach someone in that distress has been proved to be a godsend. 8 Kames & District Recreation Club To help with the re-opening of the hall following the Covid pandemic. £1,922 The funds provided enabled the Hall to be in a position to re-open on the lifting of lockdown restrictions and provide users with appropriate levels of sanitisation to permit safe use of the facilities. Returned underspent funds £196.29 Unknown 9 Lochgoilhead Bowling Club To assist in the reopening of their hall and to increase the security and fire safety of the premises. £1,197 The project helped the vulnerable and less able community members. Helping with depression, anxiety and stress. Giving them confidence to come along for a chat with other local people engaging with others in a social welcoming atmosphere after the isolation of covid. 54 10 PA23 BID Ltd t/a Dunoon Presents To help deliver a number of outdoor cultural events in Dunoon Town centre £2,200 The SC fund award has contributed greatly to the creation of a new, now annual event in Dunoon, known as ‘Cowal Fringefest’. 1500 11 Rothesay & District Pipe Band To run a programme of weekend pipe and drumming workshops for members and their families over the summer holidays. £2,000 We delivered 6 workshops between July and December bringing together both learners and established players. Through these workshops, our players learned new musical skills and got to socialise together creating and fostering team work and fun. 141 12 Sandbank Community Council To help with costs towards the draining and stabilisation of Broxwood picnic area in Sandbank. £2,500 We have had very positive feedback from residents who can’t wait for the better weather to use the site. The primary children have planted bulbs and picked up litter around the area and are very keen to use it in the better weather. We are having an opening with a BBQ and hopefully stalls in early May and will be sending out invitations to all in the village to attend plus all the people who contributed to making this happen. 1200 13 THE SHORE ART CLUB To help restart the group following the Covid £1,777 Having the funding and the support from professional artists gave us the confidence as a group to organise and hold an art exhibition 22
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2021/22 SCF Round of Funding Pandemic, offering weekly art lessons. in June 2022. It was very successful and although we were not at full capacity, we were able to exhibit 66 paintings from our members. Many people said that the standard of wok was the best they had seen the club doing.
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5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The project monitoring form has a section asking for comments on the grant process. Not all applicants have completed this section but of those received, the comments have largely been very positive. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy: None 6.2 Financial: The report sets out the expenditure from the Bute & Cowal area 2018/19- 2021/22 budget for the allocation of Supporting Communities Fund 6.3 Legal: None 6.4 HR: None 6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty/Equalities/Islands: Compliant with policy and noting that 10 of the funded projects were on Bute 6.6 Risk: None 6.7 Customer Service: None Chief Executive – Pippa Milne Policy Lead - Cllr Alistair Redman Communities and Partnership Manager – Rona Gold 05 September 2023 For further information contact: Community Development Officer Ailie Law on 01546 604707 / ailie.law@argyll-bute.gov.uk.