Environmental group given money for bee hives
The Council of the Isles of Scilly has granted an environmental group £2,000 to support the acquisition of four bee hives.
Transition Scilly - a not-for-profit association that aims to provide a community-led response to the threats of climate change and resource depletion - wishes to keep honey bees at a plot of land close to the Community Orchard on St Mary's.
The application was deferred from the April 11th Council meeting, with more information requested. Members had expressed concern about declining bee numbers on the islands and the possibility of viruses if more were imported from the mainland. Transition Scilly subsequently clarified that no bees will be imported.
There were also two new applications, which were received after the last Council meeting. Cancer support group Scilly C-Siders was given £485, the remaining money in this year's pot, while a final application from the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust for £1,000 towards its next generation helicopter was refused.
Cllr Steve Sims said that although it is a very worthy cause, the Air Ambulance has “enormous fundraising” opportunities elsewhere, whereas the other two causes were smaller and “more local”.
Cllr Fran Grottick said that she and Cllr Joel Williams would take the Air Ambulance application to the next meeting of the Edward McDonald Trust, which also provides community grants.
Members also agreed to review the Community Fund process before the next round of applications.