Grant fund to revitalise Angus village halls

Angus Council allocated funding of more than £130,000.

An integral part of the Place-Based Investment Fund, Angus Council’s Village and Town Community-led Halls Grant Fund supports energy efficiency and resilience improvements at community-led halls so they are more robust in supporting local residents, particularly during times of emergency, such as extreme weather incidents.

Grants up to a maximum of £10,000 were applied for in line with set criteria, with 16 awards being made, ranging from £360 to assist with improved wi-fi and web capability, up to the full amount or close to it.

Many of the applications will lead to halls being better insulated, or having electrics, lighting and heating upgraded. Others will have windows, doors and boilers replaced or repaired, generators and heater bought and solar panels installed.

Kingsmuir Village Hall was one of the grant recipients.

A council spokesperson said: “Any community hall that was unsuccessful in their bid for funding will be contacted by a Community Development Officer who will work with them to try to find alternative funding.

The work to make sure that our communities are as resilient and ready as they can be for future emergencies continues. Bids are now being prepared for the SSEN Fund and a Community Resilience Forum has been set up to look at sharing best practices and future initiatives.

Among the successful bids were Airlie Hall, Charleston Village Hall, and Eassie & Nevay Village Hall.