17 community groups which applied for the Angus Community Fund will today (Friday 13 December 2024) hear that they have been successful in securing a share of the £160,000 fund aimed at helping communities to become more resilient.
The fund, which was approved by the Policy and Resources Committee (Report 317/24), is aimed at supporting resilience community groups and the vital work they do. The fund was divided into two sections – flood resilience and general resilience, reflecting the different priorities across Angus.
The £160,000 has been secured for 2024/25 from a combination of sources, including Angus Council climate change reserves; Angus Rural Partnership; and an SSEN grant award. It is divided into two funding streams, providing £50,000 for community resilience and £110,000 for flooding-related emergency resilience.
Community resilience is based on a culture of preparedness, in which individuals, communities and organisations take responsibility to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.
The groups have been and will be continued to be supported through workshops, one to one support, training on the development and running as a resilience group in their locality led by Angus Council’s Vibrant Communities Resilience Team with support from Scottish Flood Forum and the Angus Council Roads department.
Communities Convener Cllr Mark McDonald said, “I’m delighted that we have a good number of appropriate groups come forward and it is really heartening that we have this number of organised and motived communities wanting to become more resilient to the challenges that we face.
“This money will hopefully make a real difference to the preparedness of these communities who I know will use it wisely where it is needed the most. I know that they will continue to be supported by the council as they deliver their projects and I’m keen to see the difference that these funds will make.”
Communities interested in developing resilience plans, setting up a community resilience hub, or exploring funding options to protect against emergency situations can contact the Community Resilience Officer at communityresilience@angus.ov.uk
The successful groups are:
Flood Funding:
Muirhead Birkhill & Liff Community Council
Charleston Hall Committee
City of Brechin and District Community Council
Castleton Community Resilience Group c/o ENKCA
Strathmartine Community Resilience Forum
Glen Ogilvie Residents' Association (GORA)
Milton of Finavon Flood Action Group
East Haven Together
22nd Angus (Tannadice) Scout Group
Edzell Flood Group (EFG)
Kilry Management Hall Committee
General Resilience Fund:
Kingsmuir Village Hall
CLEAR - Community of Letham Emergency Action Resilience
Murroes Community Hall
Kirriemuir Food Hub
Strathmore Rugby Football Club
Royal Burgh of Forfar Community Council