Development trust may have 'expanded too quickly', says Thurso councillor
A Thurso councillor has acknowledged that the town's community-led development trust may have "expanded too quickly".
Ron Gunn, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness on Highland Council, was speaking after Thurso Community Development Trust (TCDT) had told of its funding concerns.
Councillor Gunn is a board member of the trust, which began in 2018 with the aim of making Thurso "a better place to live, work and visit for all through community-led sustainable development".
Chairperson Helen Allan sent out a newsletter last week explaining that TCDT is "facing a time of uncertainty due to funding implications".
She said board members of the trust and its trading organisation, Thurso Community Benefit Society, are due to meet at the end of this month "to look at what our options are and if needed make some difficult decisions".
Mrs Allan also highlighted the need for "suitably skilled" board members to help Socially Growing – a social enterprise operated by Thurso Community Benefit Society which has a zero-waste refill shop and community-owned greenhouses.
Councillor Gunn said: "I have been involved in the trust since it first was formed and am still a board member.
"As our chair, Helen Allan, has said, the trust faces an uncertain future. Funding is getting more difficult to secure.
"With hindsight, perhaps we were a bit too ambitious and expanded too quickly. Like other organisations, we have had a turnover of staff and new staff members take time to settle in.
"Members and volunteers from TCDT were virtually lifesavers during the difficult Covid period and we are now a better community thanks to that."
Councillor Gunn added: "As the newsletter highlights, it’s not all bad news and the trust is seeking new board members with specialist knowledge to hopefully support TCDT through this difficult period."
According to its website, TCDT's strategic objectives, devised through community consultation, include:
- To proactively engage with the Thurso community, empowering them to take part in local decision-making
- To promote community activities and community regeneration
- To develop projects that improve the lives of the Thurso community socially, physically and emotionally
- To strengthen, unite and promote the Thurso community, working with other community organisations and supporting them to realise their potential
- To create opportunities and diversification in the local economy so it strengthens and thrives