Westside community councils given additional funding

TWO community councils in the west of Shetland have secured £33,000 in extra funding between them which will be distributed through public voting in a participatory budgeting event in the spring.

The Sandsting and Aithsting and Sandness and Walls community councils will receive the money from the Scottish Government’s Investing in Communities Fund.

The joint westside project was one of 250 successful applicants to the fund across Scotland.

Participatory budgeting sees events held in communities, with residents able to vote for projects they think should be given a slice of funding.

It has already worked well in nine of Shetland’s 18 community council areas.

The westside project will focus on priorities highlighted in Shetland’s Partnership Plan, with tackling inequalities, providing opportunities for inclusion and developing strong and resilient communities on the agenda.

Chair of Sandsting and Aithsting Community Council John Priest said: “The Westside has a strong tradition of volunteering to enhance their communities.

“This Investing in Communities Fund grant from the Scottish Government has the potential to support great work done by many organisations on the Westside.”

Theo Smith, one of the three councillors for Shetland West, added: “I am delighted that this project has secured Scottish Government funding and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work on the successful application.

“It is great to see a joint effort with the two community councils working well together and I hope this funding will greatly benefit the whole of the Westside.”