Coalburn Miners’ Welfare Charitable Society (CMWCS) will receive more than £65,000 from the fund to facilitate an upgrade to both halls at Coalburn Miners’ Welfare.

The CMWCS has a membership of 40 regular volunteers, and has consulted widely in regard to the project to reflect the views of the community it represents.

They are looking to modernise the community space to facilitate events within the village. The halls have not had any major refurbishment for over 20 years other than basic maintenance.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor John Anderson, said: “This significant funding of more than £65,000 from the REF will have a positive impact on the local area.

“The local community, local groups and organisations will greatly benefit from a facility that is fit for purpose. 

“The Charity delivers over 20 different services and activities throughout the week. 

“Coalburn Miners’ Welfare Charitable Society is the hub of the village and the activities offered provide social interaction, mental health and wellbeing support to the community.”

Robin Winstanley, Sustainability and External Affairs Manager for Banks Group (who operate Middle Muir Windfarm), said: “It’s brilliant to see our renewables projects, through our partners at South Lanarkshire Council, funding places which represent the beating heart of the communities hosting our projects. The energy transition will only be delivered in a just way if communities are at the centre of delivering the benefits renewables can provide.”

The REF grant of £65,872 will be funded from Middle Muir windfarm which contributes into the REF. CMWCS will also contribute £20,000, with the REF grant dependent on funding also being approved by Galawhistle and Hagshaw Hill Windfarm Trust (£20,000 and £25,000 respectively).

Since 2004, the council has collected and administered Community Benefit funding through Planning and Economic Development Services. 

The service is responsible for securing the contributions from developers, advising potential applicants, assessing applications and monitoring projects to ensure that the community benefits associated with each project are delivered. 

Processes are continuously reviewed to ensure the best practices in grant provision and monitoring are undertaken to ensure the necessary support is delivered to eligible communities.