With the recent hiring of a dedicated Community Development Officer the SCBF Directors have reviewed the Investment Fund and the potential use of the money in the fund. As a reminder the Investment Fund is currently sitting at 1.1 million pounds, and its purpose is to have money available for capital projects – this simply means having money for large purchases (example land) or refurbishment of existing buildings or building new buildings et cetera. In addition the Investment Fund secures the community’s future needs when windfarm revenues cease (but this only occurs much further into the future).

The money in the Investment Fund is not used for the community’s annual group or individual grants – the money for this is covered by the annual windfarm payments. The residents of Strathnairn should feel confident that the SCBF will continue to have sufficient funds from the annual windfarm payments to support the annual group and individual grant requirements.

The SCBF Directors are of the belief that the Investment Fund should be used to create the greatest benefit for the greatest number of residents. And therefore have concluded that the majority of the money in the Investment Fund should be earmarked for the Hub. The idea of the Hub is supported by the CAP (Community Action Plan).

Obviously what the Hub will actually be is still to discussed and finalized by the community and this involves the residents of Strathnairn and the community groups. The SCBF Directors do not have a position on the Hub (nor should we) but we do want to communicate that money is available to allow the Hub discussion to progress within the community.

As this is such an important position to take the SCBF Directors are asking for feedback from the SCBF members. This is community money and the Board needs your input on whether this approach is supported (or not) by our members.

We would appreciate your feedback before proceeding on this important issue by emailing cosec@strathnairncbf.com with your thoughts or contacting one of the SCBF Directors.