A community project fund worth £3,500 will be launched next week as community councils across the north-east are handed hundreds of pounds.
The Buchan Area Committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the proposals, which include handing each community body in the area £425 for administration costs.
The remainder of Buchan’s budget – £3,472 – will then be earmarked for community projects. Community councils will be encouraged to come forward with suggestions for schemes, and can claim up to 80% of the cost of an initiative up to a maximum of £1,000.
Councillors are expected to back the plans, which are part of the local authority’s ongoing efforts to empower local people.
In his report to councillors, area manager Chris White said: “In the current financial year a budget of £62,000 has been agreed for community councils within Aberdeenshire. The total budget for the Buchan area is £7,612.
“The disbursement of community council grants is devolved to area committees to decide upon within the total sum agreed by the council.”
Any of Buchan’s nine community councils which have not spend past administration grants will be asked to explain why, and what the intended use for the money is. The recommendations from Mr White came after consultation with local groups.
A similar funding package was agreed at a special meeting of the Banff and Buchan area committee earlier this month.