Energy / Community benefit scheme hailed a success as more than 200 projects funded
MORE than 200 local projects from across the isles have benefitted from grants through the Shetland Community Benefit Fund’s (SCBF) advance grant scheme.
The scheme was in operation while the construction of the Viking Energy wind farm was taking place, with funding decisions left to community councils across Shetland.
A total of 201 projects earned money through the advance grant scheme – from Unst to Fair Isle, and Skerries to Foula.
Among the successful projects were a bid from Tresta Boating and Fishing Club to refurbish its slipway, which received £20,085, and the Lunna Kirk Preservation Group was given £10,000 in its bid to transform the abandoned kirk in to a community hub.
Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary received £2,700 to tarmac an area around the building, while the Shetland netball team was given £2,400 to pay for its flights to the Isle of Man last October.
That was so Shetland could take part in the inaugural netball island games event, which members of the Shetland team were pivotal in getting off the ground.
Over £1 million was awarded during the construction of the wind farm, which is now operational.
The advanced grant scheme has now been replaced with the community grant scheme, which is financed by the main Viking community fund.
SSE will pay out £5,000 per installed megawatt a year in community benefit to Shetland – resulting in around £2.2 million per annum.
The community grant scheme will operate in much the same way, with community councils given an allocation and given final say on which local projects to support.
Community councils with at least one turbine in their area are given more money, each given an annual allocation of £32,575.
The areas without a turbine from the Viking development – including Lerwick, Sandwick and Yell – all receive £6,515 each year.
Any approved funding, or unspent funds from the advanced grant scheme will be carried over to the new scheme.
SCBF chairman Chris Bunyan said the advance grant scheme had been a success.
He thanked community councillors for their contribution in making the scheme a success and said SCBF looked forward to working with them on the new scheme.
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