£2.4m funding boost for Cumnock & Doon Valley communities

Community groups and projects across Cumnock and the Doon Valley are to receive £2.4m over the next three years.

The funding boost from the 9CC Group will see £1.5m distributed in local grants and £900,000 for cross community priorities.

Local organisations are being urged to apply for the latest round of Community Benefit Funds with the closing date on Friday November 27.

Alex Baird, chair of the 9CC Group which manages CBF for all communities in Cumnock & Doon Valley, said: “These grants will deliver positive local benefits and go a long way to help make our former coal mining communities better places to live, work, play and visit.

“Applications for grant funding are now open, and we would encourage groups, clubs and organisations, no matter how big or small, to engage with us and get their bids in for local funding, cross community funding and multi-annual funding.

“The CBF from wind farm developments is growing as more turbines come into operation and this is our fourth round of funding. That is allowing us to make more of a difference and crucially these grants are decided by local people making local decisions based on local needs.”

Funding, agreed by all communities, is based on proximity to turbines, population and social deprivation. New Cumnock are the recipients of the largest share. Bids will be assessed independently with grants distributed next year.

Since the 9CC Group was formed to collectively and collaboratively manage and administer grants from wind farm developers across Cumnock and Doon Valley, it has awarded almost £1.5m and secured an additional £2m in match funding.

Chief Operating Officer Stephen McCarron said: “Our fair and democratic funding model is based on the government and industry Good Practice Principles with a partnership and collaborative approach at its heart. That means all communities benefit from both impactful local funding and strategic investment in creating a positive lasting legacy.

“While we have no involvement in wind farm planning decisions, we are hugely influential in securing CBF which is entirely voluntary. Developers are under no obligation to pay it and we acknowledge and thank them for their positive funding support.”

The 9CC Group represents the communities of Auchinleck; Patna; Ochiltree & Skares; New Cumnock; Netherthird; Cronberry, Lugan & Lugar; Drongan, Rankinston & Stair; Dalmellington; and Cumnock.

Click Here to Apply Apply For Funding — Nine Community Council Group Ayrshire