A POT of over £30,000 is to be distributed to projects around Helensburgh and Lomond this week – but several community groups in the area are set to miss out.

Members of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee are to meet on Wednesday, April 24 to discuss the distribution of the Supporting Communities fund.

A report recommends that 16 organisations should  receive grants of up to £2,500 for their community-based projects.

But Helensburgh Seafront Development Project is one of the four causes for whom no funding is earmarked in a report by council chief executive Cleland Sneddon.

They had hoped for funding to help produce an engineering study.

READ MORE: Council set to refuse Helensburgh pier group's cash bid

The lunch club and youth café in Cove and Kilcreggan, and Garelochhead Senior Citizens, are the other three causes for whom no funding is recommended.

The Helensburgh Savoy musical theatre group, the Rosneath Highland Gathering and the Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust are all recommended to receive the maximum grant available of £2,500.

However, no firm decisions on the distribution of the fund will be taken until the area committee has met.

A report prepared ahead of Wednesday’s meeting states: “The total Supporting Communities Fund budget made available by the council for allocation in Helensburgh and Lomond for 2019/20 is £24,500.

“In addition, there is a carry forward from the financial period 2017/18 of £5,821 from returned grant funding, making a total amount available for allocation of £30,321.

“Twenty eligible applications were received in Helensburgh and Lomond. The process of scoring applications against criteria remains the same as in previous years of the fund.

“Sixteen projects of the 20 projects listed are recommended to receive funding.”

The grant awarding process this year has been changed from 2018-19: where last year a public vote was held to decide which groups should get a share of the cash, this year the decision rests with local councillors.

READ MORE: No public vote this year for council's communities fund

The Savoy Theatre Company’s application is listed as being for “costs towards staging the group’s main production, including hire of hall, costumes and insurance. The project provides an opportunity for young people to develop their skills and confidence.”

On the Coast and Countryside Trust, the report states that the funds, if awarded, will be used for “the delivery of ‘Moving On’ outdoor skills sessions aimed at providing support for those affected by mental health”.

The report continues: “This is an extension of the well-established ‘Branching Out’ project.”

Cove and Kilcreggan Lunch Club had hoped to receive funding towards its general running, including transport for members, outings and a Christmas party.

Meanwhile, the Youth Café were aiming to receive the money to fund an ocean voyage trip for 12 young people. Garelochhead Senior Citizens were also seeking funding for general running.

READ MORE: Winners and losers in 2018-19 from 'supporting communities' fund

However, it is not unknown for an area committee to overrule a recommendation, as it happened at a recent meeting of Oban, Lorn and the Isles area committee.

At that committee’s most recent meeting, Footprint Alba was awarded £1,500 instead of the £2,498 recommended, to install local beach boards in Oban reminding the public about marine litter.

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