FRIDAY September 25 saw the first meeting of the Hillfoots Co-operative Local Forum (CLF).
Established to engage with the Co-operative members and the wider community in the Hillfoots, the meeting heard Co-op engagement adviser, Tom Copeland, advise that the Hillfoots had been chosen as one of only 35 pilot areas around the UK to re-engage with members at grass roots level.
They also heard that that the CLF is intending to run an event in Alva on November 26, and that it is seeking an event to participate in within Tillicoultry around the same date.
John Lamond was introduced as the Hillfoots member pioneer. He said that the monies raised from the carrier bag tax mean the Co-operative Group has £750,000 to disburse and that the Hillfoots CLF, and will have £5,000 to share between three local community groups.
He continued: “The groups have to apply online by October 7 at http://www.co-oplocalfund.co.uk. All applications will be checked and then shortlisted down to three in each CLF.
“From November 16, Co-operative members will vote online or by phone for their favourite cause and this process will select the three causes within the Hillfoots which will share the £5,000.”
On top of the 5p charge on single-use bags the Co-operative Group has also pledged to top-up the fund with proceeds from their entire range of carriers, including sales of bags-for-life and their new woven reusable shopping bags.
John McNeill, divisional managing director for The Co-operative Food in Scotland, said: “The Co-operative is a community retailer with a heritage and commitment to the environment and to supporting its local communities.
“We are now calling for local causes across Scotland to apply for a share of The Co-op Local Fund to make a difference in their community. The Co-op shares the aspiration of reducing the number of single-use carrier bags in use.”
Iain Gulland, chief executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “This scheme from The Co-op illustrates how the carrier bag charge is not only benefitting the environment, but it is also making a positive difference in the communities where the money has been raised.”
Applications can be made until midnight on Wednesday October 7. 
Then, between November 16 and December 11, the community retailer will give its hundreds of thousands of members in Scotland a chance to vote and have a say, from a shortlist of organisations, on how the fund will benefit local communities.
For further information or to make an application visit www.co-oplocalfund.co.uk.