First Highland Community Challenge Fund scheme gets off the ground

13th October 2013

The first scheme arranged through The Highland Council�s Community Challenge Fund has started today Monday (14 October 2013).

The Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company have taken over the street cleaning and grounds maintenance in their villages, including the grass cutting in the cemeteries of Auchterawe, Kilchuimen and Strathoich. As well as Highland Council funding, the Community Company are receiving financial support from SSE and Falck Renewables.

One Council employee has transferred to the Community Company and they have also employed an additional member of staff in order to provide a more extensive service to the community.

Depute Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor David Alston is Chair of the Community Challenge Panel. He said: �It is good to see local people taking direct control of local services. This is an exciting project. I congratulate all those who have worked to make it possible and encourage others to consider if they can do the same in their own community.�

The Community Company has signed a Service Level Agreement with the Council which specifies the extent of the work and the standards to be achieved, however the Company are confident that they can exceed the standard set by the Council.

Chairperson of the Company, Harry Whiteside, said: �We are really looking forward to taking on this challenge.�

The Agreement runs until March 2016 and is renewable after this date.
More information on the Community Challenge Fund can be found by following the link on the front page of the Council�s website �
http://www.highland.gov.uk/livinghere/communitiesandorganisations/communitychallengefund.htm