Grant will help community councils employ village officer
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VILLAGES in Caithness will benefit from a grant of £7000 awarded through the Caithness area discretionary fund.
The money will help community councils to employ a part-time village officer to cut grass and carry out some other general work.
The scheme is administered by the Association of Caithness Community Councils whose treasurer, Liz Geddes, explained the funding is £500 up on what was allocated last year.
Most of the community councils in the landward area are involved in the initiative, although last year Dunnet and Canisbay and Sinclair Bay were not, she said. Wick and Thurso do not take part.
"The money is distributed equally but is paid out once an invoice for the work is produced. There has been a bit of uncertainty this year with the restrictions due to the coronavirus but work is under way now in some places," she said.
The scheme usually runs from April to October and involves the village officer cutting and strimming grass and carrying out other tasks, including minor repairs. The funding has been allocated to the association by the Highland Council ward discretionary fund for the past few years.
"It is definitely a good thing and benefits the villages and helps keep them tidy," Mrs Geddes added.
Ron Gunn, vice-chairman of the association, also welcomed the award of the £7000.
"Any money which helps improve the community is to be welcomed," he said.
"I am sure people in the village areas will be happy with this award. It should help to pay for a village officer and for that person to keep the place nice and tidy."
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "The £7000 for this year has already been transferred over to the association and is a £500 increase from last year.
"The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and Thurso Community Council do not take part in the scheme as they are served by Highland Council's gardening staff."
The village officer scheme has been operating since 2001.
