Crown Estate Funding

Background

Following extensive engagement with both Westminster and the Scottish Governments the Comhairle was pleased to welcome the first allocation of the net revenues of the Crown Estate marine assets in Scotland to Local Authorities councils in September 2019.

The funding was provided on the basis it would be additional expenditure that specifically benefited coastal communities.

Year 1 Funding

The first year of funding related to the net revenues from 2017/18 and the Comhairle received £1.7m out of total revenues of £7.2m.

The Comhairle agreed the distribution of these monies in  December 2019  as follows:

• £100k for the delivery of regional marine planning and Crown Estate asset management;
• £30k to support the development of a Community Partnership Board or other community governance model in each of 12 identified areas (£360k in total);
• £22.5K (£15K for Lewis and Harris; £7.5K for Uist and Barra) to support athletes with mainland travel costs, and
• £97.5k per ward for infrastructure works and £38k for community projects (£1,242k).

As a consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic the Comhairle extended the deadline for Year 1 applications and in August 2020 the Comhairle announced funding of £1.3m for 77 projects.

Year 2 Funding

For year 2 the Comhairle's allocation of funding from the 2018/19 net revenues is £2.3m out of total revenues of £9.7m.

The Comhairle agreed the allocation of this funding on 21 August 2020  as follows:

• £1,485k of the funding (the equivalent of £165k per ward) be devolved to community forums for projects that benefit coastal communities; and
• the balance of the Year 2 funding (£810k) be used to create a Community Economic Fund to support projects that will grow the Outer Hebrides Economy.

The Comhairle agreed how to allocate the Community Economic Fund at its meeting on 30 September 2020 

Applications for community projects for year 2 are now open.

To apply eligible organisations must:

• fully complete the Area Forum Projects And Funding Application Form ;
• have this countersigned by one or more Councillors within their ward; and
• submit the form to crown.estate@cne-siar.gov.uk 

The closing date for applications will be 30 November 2020.

Questions about the process should be directed to your local Community Learning and Development Officer as follows: