MATHER COMMENDS INCREASED FUNDING FOR LEADER PROJECTS

Argyll & Bute MSP, Jim Mather ,highlighting the recent announcement that the Scottish Government intends to fund up to ninety per cent of projects in rural communities such as small businesses, renewable energy projects and community gardens and festivals through the LEADER programme, said previously LEADER provided up to a maximum of 50 per cent of funding for local projects with the rest having to be found elsewhere. This coincides with new figures which show life in rural Scotland is thriving: people have longer life expectancy, higher employment and a greater sense of safety in their neighbourhoods than those living in urban areas.

Jim Mather said:

"> It is recognised by this Government that a thriving future for rural Scotland is vital to the social and economic fabric of the whole country. Grassroots community development will help deliver sustainable economic growth in every corner of Scotland. Government funding is available for local projects but in the current economic climate communities have found it difficult to find other sources of funding

Argyll and Bute was represented at the first-ever Rural Gathering by Here We Are, Cairndow, which was hailed as an innovative community empowerment project, and I join my colleague, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead who at the Gathering stated that the ninety per cent increase in funding for LEADER will provide extra help for small rural businesses and for jobs.

I congratulate those recently successful projects awarded funds by the LEADER Argyll and the Islands Local Action Group which included Campbeltown Town Centre Regeneration Group, £22,900; Dunoon Burgh Hall Development, £35,000; Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust, £19,650; An Tobar > -> developing for the future £8,500; Argyll and Bute Social Economy Partnership £38,450; the Dalriada Project £3,360; Benmore & Kilmun Community Development Trust, Blairmore-Gairletter Path Link £3,000; Sandbank Community Development Trust > -> Bird Viewing Hide > -> Holy Loch, £11,540 and Lochgoil Community Council, Ardentinny Path, £9,375. I note the next funding meeting of the Local Action Group is on 11 December 2009 (deadline 30 October 2009.)> ">