Carraig Gheal Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund Steering Group Continues Excellent Work

The next round of funding for main grants from the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund is now open with a closing date of 31st January 2020.

The last round of funding closed on 31st July with the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund Steering Group meeting in October to decide which main grant applications to approve and by how much. Three grants were approved totalling more than £13,000: Painting of Kilchrenan Village Hall, support to the North Argyll Volunteer Car Scheme and the upgrade of the toilets in Dalavich Social and Recreational Club.

Members of the Steering Group at the last meeting in October at Dalmally Village Hall

The Steering Group do a fantastic job in ensuring funds are invested to the benefit of the local community, deciding on funding criteria and making decisions on individual funding applications. The Group is made up from members of the five community council areas bordering the wind farm (Avich & Kilchrenan, Taynuilt, Glenorchy & Innishail, Kilinver & Kilmelford and Kilmore) and comprises of one elected member from each of the five community councils and up to five public members who are representative members of the local public.

Nigel Mitchell who was the Community Council member representing Kilninver and Kilmelford stepped down at the last meeting. When Rob Forrest, GreenPower’s CEO, heard that Nigel had stepped down from the Steering Group he was keen to acknowledge the valuable role Nigel and the other Steering Group members perform, “After serving four and a half years on the Steering Group, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to Nigel for the time he has given to both setting up and contributing to the smooth operation of the Fund.  Without such willing community volunteers, it would be very difficult to deliver the Fund in a way that reflects the local communities’ priorities”.

There are currently two vacancies on the Steering Group:

  • Taynuilt Community Council member
  • Kilninver and Kilmelford Community Council member

If you represent either of these Community Councils and would like become involved, please see the Carraig Gheal website for further details or contact Jennie Cowley at jennie@greenpowerinternational.com