Published Date: Nov 4th, 2022
Forward West Fife, a locally established steering group, has been encouraging five communities in West Fife to get involved in deciding how to spend £170,000 to improve their local area.
Residents and groups in Kincardine, Culross, Low Valleyfield, High Valleyfield, Newmills and Torryburn were recently asked to come up with ideas for projects to improve the local community. The Steering Group is leading a participatory budgeting exercise where local residents are generating ideas for how the money can be spent.
Ronnie Collins from the West Fife Villages Forum said: "It has been really encouraging to hear about the discussions the community councils are having with residents and local groups. We are all keen to widen that conversation now to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to share ideas and give their opinions ahead of the more formal application process going live.
"We have an online platform to share ideas and I'd urge anyone who would like to have a say in how this money is spent to join our discussion. It's not too late to bring a new idea to the table either. The Community Councils can match up ideas from residents with local groups or organisations that the funding could be awarded to."
Find out more about the funding criteria and how to join the discussion at https://our.fife.scot/southwestfife. You can also speak to your local community council members or email letstalk.swf@fife.gov.uk if you have any questions.
Ronnie added: "The online discussions will help inform community groups and the community councils on how best to apply for a share of the funding. Residents will also be able to be part of the decision-making process when it comes to allocating the funds. We are not going to be short of good ideas so it's important that local people get a direct say in what they feel can most make a difference."
