Agenda item

      Consider 7 applications for funding:

• (a) Go Wild Scotland - £4,883
• (b) Riddle Fiddles - £2,160
• (c) Borders Disability Sport - £6,554.97
• (d) Roxburgh Reivers - £5,265.22
• (e) Abbotsford Bowling Club - £15,000
• (f) Café ReCharge - £8,070
• (g) Transform Arts - £3,762

(Assessments attached).

Photos of BBBB funded projects: BBBB Fund Awards 2021/22 | Flickr

10.1     The Chairman asked Mr Harrow and Mr Coltman to give an outline of each of the applications to the BBBB fund.

10.2     Go Wild Scotland

The application from Go Wild Scotland was for £4,883 to assist in the creation of a digital and physical nature trail for use by local youth groups.  The group also planned to use it as a demonstration project for other community groups in the Borders.  They had already acquired the physical nature trail elements and educational materials.  The funding applied for would cover the labour costs of creating the trail, the illustration and map of the newly created trail and QR code metal plates.

10.3     Riddell Fiddles

            The application for funding from Riddell Fiddles was for £2,160 to engage with young people to create a soundscape of a local woodland.  The funding applied for would cover the cost of recording/mixing by a specialist producer; two music tutors for fiddle/guitar; woodland guide walk staff; a transform art workshop; and venue costs for the workshop.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Jardine declared an interest in the item below and did not take part in the discussion.

10.4     Borders Disability Sport

            Borders Disability Sport had applied for £6,544.97 that would allow the group to provide individuals with the opportunity to take part in and experience the positive impact of various sporting activities.  The group planned to deliver a new sporting opportunities programme throughout the year with sessions expected in Tweedbank and Galashiels.  The funding would allow a variety of archery equipment; cycling helmets; a racing wheelchair and two disability trikes to be purchased. Funding would also cover the expenses associated with venue and pool hire, and coaching costs.

10.5     Roxburgh Reivers Orienteering Club

            The application from the Roxburgh Reivers Orienteering Club was for £5,265.22 to allow the group to provide a package of 21 specialist maps and equipment to enable the introduction and development of orienteering among targeted groups in the Eildon locality.

10.6     Abbotsford Bowling Club

            Abbotsford Bowling Club had initially applied for £15k but following discussions with the Communities and Partnerships team had revised their application to £9,793.  The application was to help cover the costs of refurbishment of the clubhouse and delivering a two-phase project to benefit the local community.  The two phases of the project would engage with older and younger people in a variety of exercise and bowls-based events.

10.7     Café ReCharge

The application from Café Recharge was for £8070 to meet the salary costs of a volunteer co-ordinator, the provision of a laptop for that co-ordinator and food hygiene training for volunteers.  Employing a paid volunteer co-ordinator/café supervisor would allow the café to open at least one day on weekends and to harness the enthusiasm for volunteering present in the area.

10.8     Transform Arts CIC

            Transform Arts CIC had applied for £3,762 to host two participatory arts event during the summer, one in the Philliphaugh area of Selkirk and one in the Ettrick/Yarrow valley.  Each event would be a day of varied arts and crafts activities for people of all ages.  The funding applied for would help meet the costs of staffing and volunteers; marketing materials and signage; snacks and refreshments; arts materials and play equipment hire; and venue costs and insurance.

10.9     Members considered each of the applications.  In response to a question regarding the financial adjustment to the Abbotsford Bowling Club’s application, it was clarified that each of the applications could be funded without the fund being oversubscribed.  In response to a query regarding the laptop cost of £400 for café Recharge, Mr Harrow undertook to explore whether Connecting Borders, or an alternate retailer, could provide a suitable laptop at a better cost.  In response to a question regarding the use of the phrase “elderly people” it was agreed that an agenda item should be considered at a future meeting of the Area Partnership on the use of inclusive language to refer to all members of society.  Members voiced their support for all of the applications, and the grants for funding were unanimously approved.  The application from Café Recharge was granted subject to the condition that options were explored to locate a more cost effective laptop computer.