Caithness communities could benefit more from SSE funds
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
COMMUNITY projects throughout Caithness are only tapping into a fraction of the funding from wind farm money available.
In a report published this week, SSE Renewables, which has a 40 per cent share of the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (Bowl), has provided over £4.199m in support for community projects in the Highlands during 2018/19.
However, out of a £400,000 pot of available money from the Beatrice Caithness Community Fund (BCCF) only £168,326 was spent on approved projects. Meanwhile, the sparsely populated area of Strathy North not only spent the £170,000 available but received more than double that amount, eventually receiving £365,799 for approved awards.
The Armadale Hall Committee received £185,000 alone to support renovation of the hall – an amount almost £30,000 more than the entire allocation for Caithness.
Wick and North East Caithness councillor Nicola Sinclair says it has been "tricky" to coordinate efforts to tap into the funds.
"We have so many voluntary groups doing really amazing work in Caithness right now, and development trusts springing up across the county. It’s a great opportunity to deliver positive change in the community and there is funding out there to make that happen," she said.
"The tricky bit is ensuring we’re coordinating our efforts so that we can tap into these funds. Plans are already underway to arrange a forum for all the local development trusts to come together and work on a strategy."
In total, 187 projects were supported across the region including Wick MS Therapy Centre who were awarded £20,000 to create a wellbeing hub in Wick where patients can get treatment, advice and friendship. The rejuvenated facilities will also provide a specialist hyperbaric chamber to increase the oxygen in people’s blood which may increase mobility and reduce fatigue.
Jan Farrington, treasurer of MS Therapy Centre, said: “The funding was the final piece of the jigsaw which enabled us to completely refurbish the centre and not only maintain our services but to expand. We are really appreciative of the support from SSE Renewables.”
Wick Paths Group received £5,150 for information panels at the harbour. Secretary of the group, John Bogle, said that the money was greatly welcomed but feels more community groups could be applying.
"I was over in Fort Augustus recently and they have quite a few wind farms in that area. They've done a huge amount with the money available from that such as rebuilding the medical centre when it burnt down," he said.
Mr Bogle thinks that the Wick Development Trust (WDT), which was recently formed, will hopefully be able to access the funds available.
Councillor Sinclair was instrumental in setting up the WDT which intends to tap into wind farm funds to regenerate Wick town centre. She said: "In Orkney they punch well above their weight by working together for the benefit of the whole island and I think we can learn from that here."
"As an elected representative, I hope to be able to work with all these groups on a coordinated vision for the whole of Caithness. There are many obstacles and challenges to overcome but we could be headed towards a turning point."
Jim Smith, Director of SSE Renewables said: “The funding from SSE Renewables is vital to many highland communities and we are delighted to have been able to provide over £4.1m of support to some truly fantastic projects in the area.
“The renewable energy sector has an important role to play in tackling the climate change challenge, but it also can play an important role helping rural communities thrive, as this report highlights.”
A spokesperson for SSE Renewables said the company has invested £6.6m into 413 projects throughout the UK over the last year and it would welcome more applications from Caithness.
For information on the Beatrice Caithness Fund visit: https://sse.com/communities/fundlocations/beatricecaithnessfund/
