Town volunteers sought for Wind Farm Trust Fund

The developers of Tirgwynt wind farm between Carno and Cefn Coch are inviting Welshpool residents to apply to become a Trustee of the Community Trust Fund being set up for the benefit of residents of the communities which lie along the turbine delivery route, from the site as far as Pant.

The fund will operate on the same model as is used at Carno Wind Farm, which was the first wind farm community trust fund to be established in the UK.

The fund will be worth £12,300, index-linked, per annum, for the lifetime of the wind farm, which will be paid in five-year upfront lump sums. This will be allocated in grants to support local projects bringing social and environmental benefits to the area. Decisions on grants would be made by the Trustees, who will mainly be drawn from the participating Community Councillors, with Welshpool being represented by members of the public.

The fund will be open to applications from residents of the seven communities along the delivery route for the first five years: Castle Caereinion, Carreghofa, Llanymynech & Pant, Llandrinio & Arddleen, Llandysilio, Llanfair Caereinion and Welshpool. After that it will be opened up to include the wider community of Montgomeryshire.

It is anticipated that the Trustees would meet between two and four times a year to decide on the grant applications. The Trustee role is unpaid, although legitimate expenses would be met from the fund.

Anyone interested in finding out more or applying for the role should email info@tirgwyntwindfarmclg.co.uk or call 07979 368238 by September 30.