Midlothian Council aims to shed light on funding requests
Midlothian councillors are hoping to shed some light on two requests for funding from the Dalkeith Common Good Fund.
Dalkeith Rugby Club is seeking a contribution towards the cost of erecting floodlights at King's Park while the Dalkeith Jarnac Twinning Group has applied for support towards the 50th anniversary of twinning with the French town.
The rugby club has explained that the small floodlit area in the park no longer meets its requirements and is stifling development of the youth sides.
As well as fielding two senior XVs, around 120 boys and girls train and play twice a week.
Funding amount
"However, there is a continuing problem with retaining players once they reach their teens and our lack of adequate training areas has restricted the ability to integrate these boys into the senior game.
"This has meant no U-17 or U-18 rugby at Dalkeith in recent years, an age group where in this decade we have produced league and cup champions and a Scotland U-18, U-19 and U-20 international," explained president Martin Ross in a letter to Midlothian Council.
The rugby club has received a quote for eight 15m lighting columns in King's Park.
The total cost involved would be 11,500 plus VAT.
Councillors attending a general purposes committee noted that the club had not indicated how much funding it was requesting from the common good fund and what other sources it was approaching.
Golden jubilee
It was agreed the three Dalkeith councillors meet with club representatives to discuss the issue.
Councillor Alex Bennett (Lab) indicated he could ask an expert in obtaining funding to attend the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Dalkeith/Jarnac golden jubilee will be celebrated in July 2010 with an official dinner being held to mark the renewal of the twinning charter.
A return visit to France will take place in August.
Twinning secretary Alan Mason informed the committee that the 45th anniversary cost the group 6000 which included a 1500 donation from the common good fund.
Councillor Bennett and councillor Craig Statham (SNP) agreed there should be financial support but proposed a meeting with the group to find out how much was being sought.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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