More than 100 Caithness residents voted to hand out over £15,000 to eleven good causes.
Eleven out of the 18 projects bidding for £15,000.00 of community funding at a weekend Highland Council participatory budgeting event were successfully voted for by people who registered to vote on the day.
Applicants were given a three-minute slot to sell their project with a further two minutes allocated to allow any questions from the audience.
The event was chaired by the Caithness Civic Leader and Wick and East Caithness Councillor Willie Mackay.
Mr Mackay said: “I am really pleased and delighted to see so many people turn out to take part in the fourth “Your Cash, Your Caithness” participatory budgeting event in Thurso High School. We had 18 groups giving presentations to a community audience, who then voted for them on their merits. The event handed out just over £15,000.00 to local good causes.
“I firmly believe handing decision making to the community it is a great way to support community empowerment and helps build community cohesion. This event is an opportunity for Caithness groups to meet new people and find out what is happening locally.
“This process is all about handing decision-making back to the community and its part of our localism agenda, which has seen devolving of further powers from the Highland Council to Caithness.
“Congratulations to the winning teams. I look forward to seeing how you use the money and our thanks to everyone who made the day such a success.”
The successful bids voted for by the audience were Staxigoe Community Football Pitch, Caithness Pony Club, Thurso Youth Club, Berriedale & Dunbeath Community Council, John O’Groats Development Trust, Thurso Heritage Society, M Miller Geise farm, The Wick Society, 2nd Thurso Scout Group, Hearing and Sight care and Caithness Deaf Club.