SSE and SCF at Spurness
A recent press release from Scottish and Southern Energy follows the visit of the SSE to Sanday and encourages Sanday residents to make full use of the Spurness Wind Farm Fund.
Scottish and Southern Energy will make payments into the Spurness Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund for the 25 years dating from December 2004, for the purpose of suporting local community initiatives.
A number of organisations have benefited from the fund so far, including:
| Sanday Community Council’s micro-grants programme |
| Sanday Development Trust |
| Sanday Afternoon Club |
| Sanday Agricultural Association |
| Sanday Community Association |
| Sanday Tourism Association |
| Sanday Community School |
Scottish and Southern Energy appointed the Scottish Community Foundation to administer the Spurness Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund. Further information and application forms are available from the Scottish Community Foundation’s website www.scottishcf.org, or by contacting the Foundation on 0141 225 6665, or emailing grants@scottishcf.org
Application forms are also available locally from John Dearness, Acting Chair of the Sanday Community Council – 01857 600215.
The 25-year Fund was established in July 2007 by SSE, which sells energy under the Scottish Hydro Electric brand. The Fund is administered on behalf of SSE by a grant-making charity, the Scottish Community Foundation. The Foundation works closely with Sanday Community Council, the decision-making body for the Fund. Representatives of SSE and the Foundation recently visited the island of Sanday to meet residents and find out how the Fund is working for the community.
The visitors had a busy programme of formal and informal meetings including a meeting with over 30 residents representing more than 20 voluntary island groups. Some had already received grants and gave valuable feedback on how to improve the profile of the Fund and the application process. Others who attended were keen to learn more about how to apply and to share ideas for possible projects.
The visitors also enjoyed a special presentation from pupils at Sanday Community School who received support from the Spurness Fund in 2008 for a number of extra-curricular projects including an educational trip to France. They also met with the Community Council to review how the operations of the Fund could be improved and to explore ways of raising awareness of the Fund within the community. One practical suggestion was to put regular updates in the local Sanday Sound to help communicate about recent awards made and to encourage further applications.
SSE and SCF at Sanday Sub-station
“It was a stimulating visit,” said Rachel Searle-Mbullu, the Glasgow-based Scottish Community Foundation grants officer who works closely with the Community Council on administering the Fund. “We’ve met a diverse range of dedicated people, the majority of whom are volunteers, working hard on initiatives to benefit this island community.”
On a tour of the island led by Rod Thorne, Sanday Ranger, and Dr Stephen Clackson, Community Councillor, the visitors also managed to visit the Spurness Wind Farm site and see the three turbines in operation.
Ruth Liddicoat, Scottish and Southern Energy’s Liaison Manager said: “This has been a wonderful opportunity to meet the groups that have already benefited from the Fund and to encourage other groups to apply. This Fund is a great way to give something back to the community and help them to plan for their future.”
