SAT - Allover - Chris Morphet
Friday 6 December 2024
 7.5°C   W Gentle Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Energy / Community benefit scheme hailed a success as more than 200 projects funded

Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary received money to tarmac around the sanctuary. Photo: SCBF

MORE than 200 local projects from across the isles have benefitted from grants through the Shetland Community Benefit Fund’s (SCBF) advance grant scheme.

The scheme was in operation while the construction of the Viking Energy wind farm was taking place, with funding decisions left to community councils across Shetland.

A total of 201 projects earned money through the advance grant scheme – from Unst to Fair Isle, and Skerries to Foula.

Among the successful projects were a bid from Tresta Boating and Fishing Club to refurbish its slipway, which received £20,085, and the Lunna Kirk Preservation Group was given £10,000 in its bid to transform the abandoned kirk in to a community hub.

Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary received £2,700 to tarmac an area around the building, while the Shetland netball team was given £2,400 to pay for its flights to the Isle of Man last October.

That was so Shetland could take part in the inaugural netball island games event, which members of the Shetland team were pivotal in getting off the ground.

Over £1 million was awarded during the construction of the wind farm, which is now operational.

The advanced grant scheme has now been replaced with the community grant scheme, which is financed by the main Viking community fund.

SSE will pay out £5,000 per installed megawatt a year in community benefit to Shetland – resulting in around £2.2 million per annum.

The community grant scheme will operate in much the same way, with community councils given an allocation and given final say on which local projects to support.

Community councils with at least one turbine in their area are given more money, each given an annual allocation of £32,575.

The areas without a turbine from the Viking development – including Lerwick, Sandwick and Yell – all receive £6,515 each year.

Become a member of Shetland News

 

Any approved funding, or unspent funds from the advanced grant scheme will be carried over to the new scheme.

SCBF chairman Chris Bunyan said the advance grant scheme had been a success.

He thanked community councillors for their contribution in making the scheme a success and said SCBF looked forward to working with them on the new scheme.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.