By Hugh Boag
A total of 12 groups on Arran have benefited from the latest round of funding from the North Ayrshire Council’s Youth Participatory Budgeting scheme.
More than £9,500 has been divibed between the 12 groups with the four highest awards of £1,000 going to the Arran High School Mountain Bike Club, Activities for young people on Arran, swimming lessons for Lamlash Primary P1-P7 and financial help for fitting out an education buiding for rescue volunteers.
Young people across the area had their say during the voting stage to help decide where the cash is spent in their community.
Those aged eight to 25 made the decision on the projects being funded for Youth PB in each of the six localities, with voting taking place on the Young Scot website and in schools.
PB is an inclusive way for local communities to decide how they want to spend public funds, and working in partnership with the Council to vote on how money is spent allows communities to make important decisions.
Money is going to a wide range of organisations in our towns and villages, including those involved in outdoor learning, sports, parent councils, mindfulness, theatre and gardening.
Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for islands and communities, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the voting process to help make dream projects become a reality.
“By getting involved in this democratic process, young people living in our communities are genuinely helping to make a difference across the six localities.”
The other Arran awards were: Outdoor learning/reading space Kilmory Primary (£854), Arran Young Sports Leaders (£960), Multi-Sports Club (£750), Arran Junior Football (£850), Brodick Parent Council eco groroject (£880), Arran Junior Shinty Club (£500), Corrie Primary School swimming lessons (£294), Outdoor play/learning for Shiskine Primary School and Early Years Class (£490).
The mountain bike club has been given £1,00 to help develop their new trail at Dyemill seen here. NO_B50bike01_23_mountain_trail