£240k boost the Councillor's 'Local Works and Services Fund' for projects on their patch

A £240k boost to a fund controlled by local Councillors will help them continue to support small projects with a big impact in their communities, says OIC Convener Harvey Johnston.

The £200k Local Works and Services Fund - which elected members can use to resolve smaller issues in their ward - was topped up with an additional £240k in December last year (£40k for each of the six wards in Orkney).

The top-up is one of several projects approved by Councillors to benefit from £8.25m of funding for initiatives supporting Orkney's recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, using remaining government funding from 2020/21 which was aimed at helping councils meet additional costs and lost income in the height of the crisis.

Projects that have benefited from the Local Works and Services Fund in the past include the removal of scrap cars from isles communities, a contribution to the performance area at the Stromness Town House, car parking at the Meadows for nearby residents, and a number of other worthwhile projects.

In the East Mainland ward, the pot has been used to support a £2.5k for a ‘pick up three pieces’ bin at the Fourth Barrier beach and associated collection costs, and to install a small hard standing in the village for bus users, near the shop.

And ward Councillors have committed money from the pot towards improvements at the community-led Loch of Ayre Walkway (run by the Loch of Ayre Walkway Association) including path improvements, purchase of additional trees and wildflowers, an industrial strimmer to keep walkways clear, and creation of a wheelchair-accessible path to the bird hide.

It’s a contribution which Councillor Johnston says demonstrates the value of the Fund:

“As Councillors we can earmark money towards projects which are already underway in our communities, or we can ask for small projects to be undertaken by OIC teams which may not have been included in Council budgets but which the community tells us will make a huge difference to their everyday lives.

“Applications are documented and run past the senior management team at the Council to ensure the appropriate checks and balances are in place, but it’s a straightforward process which helps Councillors make a difference for their wards, relatively quickly.

“The Loch of Ayre walkway is an example where we have been able to be fleet of foot and respond to the ambitions of a project quickly – it’s a project which is being enjoyed by people from right across Orkney, and has been hugely valued over the past two years of the pandemic when outdoor spaces have been so important.”

In Kirkwall East ward, the Fund has been used by ward members to extend a car park at the Meadows, providing much needed extra parking for residents. Councillors also contributed £5k towards the Kirkwall BID’s festive ‘tree wrap’ lighting in Kirkwall, bringing extra sparkle to Broad Street over the Christmas period.

In Kirkwall West ward, members have made use of the pot to support an area of extra hard standing at the Sea Cadets premises, and have committed funds towards an Orphir Community Council project aimed at creating a viewpoint over Scapa Flow.

North Isles ward Councillors awarded £7.5k towards a temporary marketing post to design the ‘Island of Stronsay’ website. A further £12k was used to help cover the freight costs of removing scrap cars from across all the northern isles (£2k per island) – a move very well received by communities facing disproportionate costs of dealing with scrap cars, and the environmental and aesthetic issues which abandoned vehicles create.

Similarly, Stromness and South Isles ward councillors also used the fund to support scrap car removal for Hoy, Graemsay and Flotta.

The fund was also deployed to help support the creation of the performance arena at Town House Garden in Stromness.

Stromness Development Trust also benefitted, with £12k towards the costs of employing someone to coordinate Stromness200 event and other future events bringing economic and social benefits to the community. The fund also supported the upgrade of the footpath from the Marwick Playing Field to access Brinkies Brae.

West Mainland Councillors used the fund to create two disabled parking spaces at Dounby Surgery.

And back to East Mainland, ward members have earmarked money towards the restoration and development of the pond area at the Hope Community School as an educational resource for the school children - as well as a relaxing area to be used by the wider community and visitors.

Councillor Johnston added: “Through dialogue with community members in their wards, members have been able to direct funds to small but mighty projects in their patch – we hope this top-up will see the fund continue to support and enhance our communities for years to come.”