Support To Continue For Highland Social Enterprise Waste Projects

29th January 2009

In recognition of the valuable work Social Enterprise companies in the Highlands do in diverting waste from landfill sites, The Highland Council has confirmed its continued support by allocating over £1.1 million of grant funding for the next two years.

In Highland currently 7 groups receive grant funding based on an agreed amount for every tonne recycled plus the equivalent waste disposal cost for every tonne recycled. They are; Blythswood; Golspie Recycling Environmental ActionNetwork; NewStart Highland; Touchwood; HomeAid (Caithness); Lochaber Environmental Group; Acharacle Rag Tag and Textile.

Between them last year the groups accounted for diverting nearly 4,000 tonnes of material.

At a meeting of TECS Committee members agreed to a new proposal of grant funding following consultation with the Groups and Community Recycling Network Scotland. This will see the level of grants provided by the Council reducing by 5% although the Social Enterprise Groups will still receive the equivalent waste disposal cost for each tonne diverted up to an agreed maximum.

They also asked officials to look at ways in which the Council's Social Work and Education, Culture and Sport services could offer support to the Social Enterprise Companies to help them develop their services.

Vice Chairman of The Highland Council's TEC Services Committee Councillor Brian Murphy said: "I am delighted that the Council is able to offer this on-going support to Social Enterprise waste recycling projects. They provide a very valuable service both in terms of recycling and encouraging re-use of materials and also in providing volunteering and employment opportunities."