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“The Council’s decision to increase their
funding from £200k to £500k was welcomed by all those fighting
to bring this project to fruition and hopefully it will herald a similar
response from fellow funding partners the Argyll and Islands Enterprise
company (AIE)” said Mr Wilson.
“The Scottish Executive through it’s
agency, Historic Scotland, have approved in principle grant aid of £600k
to be confirmed when the decision of the Heritage Lottery Fund is known,
scheduled to be following their meeting on 17th September.”
“The increase in the Council’s contribution
means that they have fulfilled the Heritage Lottery Fund’s criteria which
they outlined to me in May, that NAC meet in excess of 10% of the total
eligible project costs now standing at just under £4m. “ said Mr
Wilson.
“It is now opportune that AIE, through
their parent company Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) increase their
contribution in line with the Council’s to make he project a reality. If
HIE were to approve a contribution which met the projected shortfall in
funding, another concern of HLF, then there would be no remaining obstacles
to the project coming to fruition” said Mr Wilson.
“It is with this objective in mind
that I have written to HIE this week stressing the importance of the Garrison
House redevelopment to the Island’s economic regeneration. It is an ideal
opportunity for the Executive's enterprise company in the Highlands and
Islands to demonstrate it's commitment to my Cumbrae constituents and secure
the Executive’s aim to close the opportunity gap for Island residents”
said Mr Wilson.
“I am scheduled to meet with both
HLF and HIE over the next few weeks and I will be keeping up the pressure
on both funders to recognise the fundamental importance of this project
to the Island and give the islanders some very welcome good news and reverse
the decline of Cumbrae in the eighties and nineties” said Mr Wilson.
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