Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 30 May 2000 For Use: Immediately

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Housing Committee today agreed proposals aimed at improving amenities and the environment in rural residential areas whilst at the same time increasing work opportunities particularly in remote, rural areas in the Western Isles.

The scheme, to be known as ACE, (Action by the Community on their Environment) will allow a wide range of amenity works to be undertaken in communities such as village entrance schemes, walkways and pathways, verge improvements and planting schemes. In addition to the immediate benefit, communities will be able to access other external funding.

Whilst there has been a large amount of moeny spent on improving the housing stock in the Western Isles over the past 20 years, little has been spent on improving the environment and amenities in rural residential areas.

Chairman of the Housing Committee, Cllr. George Lonie, said:

"This will be an excellent scheme for the Western Isles and will give rural communities greater interest and control over their local environment whilst increasing pride and community spirit. In addition, the scheme will allow communities to access other external funding. This should lead to an increase in job opportunities in the areas where the improvements take place thereby helping the sustainability of the islands' remote and rural areas."

ACE will have a two-tier grant scheme - Option Funding and Challenge Funding. Option funding would allow a grant of up to £5k to be made in each community area, with two grants available in community areas covering more than 500 households. Community areas will be based on Community Council areas. Challenge funding offers communities the opportunity to access grant aid of up to an additional £10k on a challenge basis. Funds will be provided up to a maximum of 50% of the works with the balance having to come from elsewhere.

Cllr. Donald Nicholson, Chairman of Environmental Services, also welcoming the scheme, said:

"This new funding scheme will provide an excellent opportunity for communities to practically work together on improving and sustaining their area and I would encourage community groups to make use of this innovative scheme which I am confident will be of enormous benefit to the islands".

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer