History town secure more funds

ANNAN'S History Town group are in line to share just over £600,000 in coastal benefit funding.

The group is one of 30 projects from across the region receiving a much-welcome cash boost, with their share at £3105 for the Past and Present project.

Councillors on the education committee this week approved the awards after hearing that: “Scottish Ministers’ expectation for the fund is for local authorities to ensure value for money and for it to be used for added value/new initiatives/projects that specifically benefit coastal communities, tackling the twin crises of climate and biodiversity and furthering the vision for Scotland’s ‘Blue Economy’.”

Despite the strong field of applicants, 22 groups will walk away empty-handed. This is not because their applications were rejected on merit, but simply because the money ran out.

The report notes that all unsuccessful applicants will be “signposted to seek support from Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway and ward officers.”

Successful organisations, subject to compliance checks, must have projects underway by August 1 and completed by March 31 next year.