Time runs short for trust

A COMMUNITY trust has warned it could fold “in a matter of months” after vital funding was pulled.

Gorebridge Community Development Trust relies on money from the council-
managed Fairer Scotland fund to cover its £47,000 annual salary bill.

But its latest funding bid was turned down, sparking claims that Midlothian Council had changed its criteria without telling applicants.

Trust chairman Archie Pacey said: “If they stop funding us we don’t exist, as we can’t operate without staff.”

The trust applied for the grant on the basis it would create jobs, but Mr Pacey believes that criteria has since been dropped from the council’s considerations, which led to the withdrawal of funding.

Mr Pacey said the decision had to be confirmed next month. He said he hoped the council would reconsider and that he had written to the chief executive seeking clarification.

The news came as it was announced work will start soon on the long-awaited new community hub in Gorebridge – a trust project aimed at bringing new life and jobs into the area.