MEMBERS of the public are to be given the chance to vote for which community projects should receive funding from Argyll and Bute Council.

But concerns have been raised over exactly how the new system might operate – and whether big events in Helensburgh and Lomond will really benefit.

The pilot project will see people living in the area decide on the distribution of money from the authority’s Supporting Communities Fund.

The fund – formerly known as the ‘third sector grants fund’ – ran into controversy in Helensburgh and Lomond earlier this year after councillors voted to cut the sums given to three of the area’s major summer events.

The Helensburgh and Lomond Highland Games (HLHG) and the Rosneath Highland Gathering all had to cope with receiving less money from the council than they got in 2015-16.

Both events went ahead earlier this year – but the organisers warned that any future reduction in funds would cast further doubt on the future viability of each event.

Sephton MacQuire, HLHG’s chairman, said this week: “I’m not sure how the council is going to operate this – even though we could get 100 per cent of what we apply for there’s no guarantee we would actually get the maximum.

“Every penny helps but when the money we might get wouldn’t cover the services we’re being asked to provide it seems a bit unfair.

“However, I know the council’s coffers are not limitless and I don’t envy the officers who have to recommend who gets what.”

Robert MacIntyre, chairman of the Rosneath Highland Gathering, raised fears that a public vote might leave applicants from smaller groups fighting an uphill battle for the cash.

He said: “If a vote was based entirely on overall numbers, communities of 1,500 people like Rosneath, Garelochhead and Kilcreggan are immediately fighting against 11,000 people in Helensburgh.

“However, a public vote in each community might actually show whether the public really supports an event that is looking for funding.

“Highland Games contribute a lot to the communities where they’re held. In Rosneath it’s the only big event we really have in our calendar and I think we’re entitled to a reasonable share of what’s available.”

The move towards a public vote isn’t the only significant change to the way the fund will operate in the next financial year.

Under the terms of the pilot, projects which win out in the vote will be able to receive funding for all of a project’s estimated costs, up to a maximum of £2,500.

Previously awards were limited to 50 per cent of the total project cost, with an upper limit of £4,000 on any single award.

The move towards more of what’s being called ‘participatory budgeting’ follows an earlier pilot scheme in which people living throughout Argyll and Bute were able to vote on how a one-off fund to promote and enhance the Gaelic language and culture in the area should be spent.

Cllr Robin Currie, Argyll and Bute’s policy lead for communities, said: “This is about empowering communities to do what they think is best for their areas.

“We know from past experience that people want more say on decision making in their communities so I’m sure residents will be happy to take this on board.”