Over the past year the Scottish Government have been developing proposals for a pilot scheme with two Community Councils (one urban, one rural), which would see each community council given a sum of money (£15k) to spend as they wished for the benefit of their community. This fits with the Government's overall community empowerment agenda and could lead to a greater focus on community councils as key participants in local decision-making and delivery.
Rural Pilot - Arran Community Council
Arran Community Council, North Ayrshire Council, were invited to, and agreed, to run the rural pilot. They have consulted widely with the residents of the Arran as to how best the money could be used to really benefit the community. After consideration of a number of options, they have decided to use the grant to work in partnership with Arran Sports Association to replace the all weather playing field at the Ormidale Sports Complex in Brodick.
The pitch is constantly used, especially in the winter, however, it is now at the end of its usable life and worn out. Helping the Sports Association in this way will free up resources to enable it to undertake required routine maintenance to other parts of the complex, thus bringing it back up to an "as new" condition. Without the Community Council's support, the Sports Association has estimated it would have taken them a further 4 years at least to be in a position financially to replace the all weather playing surface.
Urban Pilot - Langside Battlefield and Camphill Community Council
The urban pilot is being undertaken by Langside, Battlefield and Camphill Community Council, Glasgow City Council.
In consultation with Glasgow City Council's Community Council Resource Centre, it was agreed that a community council would be identified to take the lead collaborative roll, together with several other community councils, in the development of a recreational facility in Queens Park on the south side of the city.
Queens Park covers an area of 45 hectares with 4 Community Council areas lying within or within close proximity of its boundaries, all of whom have an interest in the facilities of the whole park. There is currently an open air performance area situated within the park which is in need of renovation and modernisation. It was agreed that the lead Community Council, to whom the grant will be paid, be Langside, Battlefield and Camphill.
The Community Council will fully consult with all sections of the public, in particular the youth element, in conjunction with the other neighbouring community councils, to identify the requirements for a fully functional facility catering for all ages and sectors of the community.