A PILOT programme of free sporting activities for children and young people will run in Dumbarton this summer.

The initiative will be put on by Bellsmyre Development Trust, an organisation which aims to support its residents towards engaging with and participating in the local community.

At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council last Wednesday, Councillor Caroline McAllister put forward a motion requesting the waiving of charges for hiring the pitches at Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School (OLSP), where the programme will run.

The motion read: “Council notes that Bellsmyre Development Trust wish to run a programme of free summer sporting activities for children and young people using the new pitches at Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School.

“The plan is to run a specific pilot to encourage participation from children and young people who normally do not engage in sporting activities and have fewer opportunities to socialise with their peers.

“It is hoped that this will increase social inclusion, health and wellbeing for children and young people in and around the Bellsymyre area.

“Council agrees to waive the charges for hiring the OLSP pitches to Bellsmyre Development Trust for the purpose of running this pilot programme, and a report should be brought back to a future Educational Services committee outlining the uptake of the pilot scheme.

“Any costs associated with this pilot are expected to be minimal; however, any costs that cannot be met within existing budgets should be taken from the pre-reserves.”

The motion was carried.