A variety of projects, including the funding of life jackets for a north-east rowing club will vie for newly-available council funding next week.
Aberdeenshire Council has under-spent by more than £3,000 on local community groups after a scheme to promote safe driving in Fraserburgh and Banff secondary schools fell through.
The Dial-a-Bus Plus Driving Ambition course was set to cost the authority £3,040 but was eventually scrapped.
The “hands on” course for sixth-year students would have raised awareness of road hazards and tried to keep them safe whilst on the road.
It would have been aimed at pupils whether or not they had passed their driving test.
Maria Walker, the council’s director of education, said “unfortunately” the Dial-a-Bus was no longer able to fulfill their commitment in providing the course.
In her report to Banff and Buchan area committee, she added: “As Dial-a-Bus will no longer be able to deliver this project, members are being asked to determine whether, and to what extent, to reallocate the budget of £3,040 to the projects outlined.”
These include Banff Academy’s rowing club, which needs £500 to help purchase new life jackets and training.
Ms Walker said: “In order to form the club, the school requires funding for appropriate life jackets for students and adults, cox and first aid training, VHF radios and training to use them.
“They also need flares for emergency signalling and a trailer to enable the club to travel to regattas and competitions.
A first responder team based in Banff and Macduff is requesting between £1,140 and £1,440 to buy a GPS phone.
Portsoy Primary School is seeking £2,500 to buy and install a new smart board, and Care United Banff has asked for between £1,000 and £3,000 to pay for rent at the Macduff town hall, allowing them to serve hot food.
Rathen’s community council is meanwhile requesting £100 to erect dog walking signs.
Councillors will discuss the various proposals on Tuesday.