Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund (SCBF) was set up in 2004 to receive and distribute community benefit payments from the developer of the Farr Windfarm, Npower UK (now known as RWE Innogy UK).

Following advice from The Highland Council (THC) and Highland and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Strathnairn Community Council (SNCC) decided to set up an incorporated body to administer the community benefit payments.

SCBF was established as a company, limited by guarantee, with the SNCC as its sole member, and with charitable status. The key purpose of SCBF is to manage the funds, and to use the funds  to support the objective of  “The promotion, for the benefit of the public, of urban or rural regeneration in areas of social and economic depravation and in particular in the Strathnairn Community Council area ..”

During SCBF’s AGM in December 2015, it was announced that SCBF would be carrying out a review of its structure, its Memorandum of Association, and its legal status to ensure, that after over a decade of operations, it remained fit for purpose.

As part of this process, SCBF have appointed Foundation Scotland to review all aspects of the governance and grant-making activity of SCBF, and to make recommendations for the future operation of SCBF. Foundation Scotland will undertake this work for a projected cost of £7350.00.

Foundation Scotland is an independent registered charity which distributes funds to charities and community organisations from predominantly private clients but also public sector bodies.   Established in 1996, it currently works with over 250 individuals, companies and communities, enabling them to distribute funds effectively and efficiently to charities and voluntary organisations every year. In the area of community benefit funding, Foundation Scotland is currently delivering and/or developing over 40 community funds across Scotland and working with over 100 communities. Clients include a wide range of energy developers, communities and commercial asset managers.

The review will be conducted via a combination of desktop research, local survey work, and face-to-face interviews with community benefit fund directors, representatives of local community groups and other key local stakeholders with a final report being delivered to SCBF.

Paul Robinson, an SCBF Director commented: “We are delighted to be able to benefit from the expertise which Foundation Scotland has gained so as to ensure that what we are doing continues to be for the maximum possible benefit of the Strathnairn community.”

Rachel Searle-Mbullu, the Head of Community Investment for Foundation Scotland added: “Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund has been delivering benefits to its local communities for over a decade now. We are pleased to be able to assist them in ensuring that the fund and its distribution is fit for purpose for many years to come.”