ALMOST £300,000 is set to be dished out in grant funding to community groups in Cumnock and the surrounding area this week.

The grants committee at East Ayrshire Council (EAC) has been asked to approve applications from eight different community groups for projects ranging from a community picnic area to toilet refurbishment.

The seven groups are located in Cumnock, New Cumnock, Auchinleck, Catrine and Muirkirk.

The funding bids have been made to the renewable energy funds set up as part of the ‘community benefit’ for the wind farms at Whitelee, Afton and Harehill.

The applications – all of which have been recommended for approval, and which total £293,700 – are as follows.

Auchinleck Indoor and Outdoor Bowling Clubs – joint application for £28,000 towards energy efficiency measures and the installation of shutters at their building on Well Road.

Catrine Community Trust - £10,000 to pay for a consultant’s report on the prospect of a solar panel energy facility on land at The Voes, and a separate £12,600 to fit out the former Hatchery building on Laigh Road as an admin base for its River Ayr hydro project.

Muirkirk Bowling Club - £10,000 to refurbish its ladies’ toilets.

Muirkirk Enterprise Group - £20,000 to create a community picnic area on derelict land at the former filling station site at Smallburn.

New Cumnock Development Trust - £150,000 to support the refurbishment of the Trotters building at Castle in New Cumnock.

Cumnock Rugby Club - £25,200 to help with the cost of installing replacement windows and doors at its premises on Auchinleck Road.

Cumnock Heritage Centre Vintage Vehicle Museum - £48,000 to support the cost of various works at its Caponacre Industrial Estate premises, including a silent generator, infrared heaters, a roller shutter, play items for children, and signage.

In addition, Wednesday’s committee meeting will consider an application by the Auchinleck Community Shed to the council’s own ‘community grants’ fund.

The Auchinleck group is asking for £2,000 to to replace raised beds with raised garden boxes in its community garden at Aird Avenue.

This application, too, has been recommended for approval.

The full agenda and background reports for this Wednesday's committee meeting can be read by clicking here.