Badenoch and Strathspey "gets better"
The “building of a better Badenoch and Strathspey” is officially under way after Saturday’s successful launch.
Just about all of those who attended from across the strath were happy with the way the first “participatory budgeting” event went at Carrbridge Village Hall.
The venue was packed by people covering communities as far south as Laggan and as far north as Cromdale and Advie.
No fewer than 35 applications had been lodged for a share of the £30,000 pot set aside for community projects by local and Scottish government and no corner of the strath had left itself out.
“It’s a fantastic start,” said Highland councillor Bill Lobban, chairman of the council’s Badenoch and Strathspey area committee, who welcomed some 150 people into the hall.
“I would say it’s a very good way forward to involving the entire community in the budgeting process,” he said.
“It’s much more democratic than simply a bunch of guys in a committee room deciding where public money is going to be dispensed.”
Social enterprises, youth organisations, community councils and sports clubs had all pitched in for a share of the £30,000 with a maximum of £2000 up for grabs per application.
Each group was given two minutes to state their case, with another two minutes of possible interrogation from their peers to follow.
The system worked pretty flawlessly with a packed agenda keeping to schedule through a hectic morning and into the afternoon.
The organisers of the event were Highland Council’s Badenoch and Strathspey ward manager Liz Cowie and the authority’s community democratic engagement manager Pablo Mascarenhas.
They had the support of a team including MC Claire McGonigal of Grantown Grammar and Kingussie High School head teacher Ollie Bray who manned the mic for the public who wished to ask questions from the floor, and local Highland councillor Jaci Douglas was also on hand.
“I think it’s brilliant the way so many people have come on board with the concept,” she said.
“This is a great start.”
From the 35 applications emerged 26 “winners” of varying amounts and those who missed out were told to apply again for the next round, perhaps in another three months.
One of the happiest smiles came from Ian Campbell, chairman of the hall which staged the event.
He said: “We’re raising our own monies for bricks and slates for a kitchen extension but today we asked for £1400 to help us with equipment we need, including an industrial dishwasher and I’m delighted to say the project received enough votes.
“It’s been a good event and has set us on the right path, certainly.”
Speysound Radio’s Pete Carson was another smiler after the station won £2000 for FM coverage improvement.
He said: “I’m so grateful that they also gave the station a moment during the break to tout for ‘business’ in plugging the roadshow!
“We’re always looking for interesting subjects and places to broadcast from and I hope today’s pitch brings us plenty of takers. I think today’s been fantastic.”
Smaller winners included: Dulnain Bridge Community Council website (£800); Abernethy Golf Club shed and equipment (£750); Grantown Swim Club equipment (£700); Newtonmore Community Woodland Development Trust leaflets (£600) and Grantown Grammar Parent Council for piano and amp (£385).
