Published Date: Apr 13th, 2023
Fife Council is committed to driving economic growth and regeneration across the region through attracting investment. Fife’s allocation of the Scottish Government’s Placed Based Investment Programme Funding over 2023/24 was recently approved by Fife Council's Cabinet Committee. 
In anticipation of the award, councillors endorsed the projects set to receive a predicted total of £1.915m investment for 2023/24. Details of the final award to local authorities has not yet been released by the Scottish Government.
The place-based investments are designed to revitalise town centres and create footfall through local improvements and partnerships. This includes accelerating ambitions for place, 20-minute neighbourhoods, town centre action, community led regeneration and community wealth building.
Cllr Altany Craik, Spokesperson - Finance, Economy & Strategic Planning, said: “Fife Council is working hard to attract investment in order to regenerate town centres, develop vital community spaces and provide facilities to attract employers and jobs. I am pleased that the committee has agreed the spend on a range of vital projects. The grants will make a significant difference, enrich our the towns and create a more prosperous future for the people of Fife.
“We aim that the development of the gap site in Dunfermline is a reflection of the newly awarded city status. The council is committed to maximising the opportunities around Dunfermline’s new status to improve the opportunities for our communities. Investment in Leven High Street Public realm is much needed following the recent fires and will provide improvements prior to the opening of the Leven rail link. Our town and local centre Building Improvement Grants are popular, and we will be launch them again in April to include energy efficiency measures.”
10 projects are prioritised to be delivered within the fund timeframes:
Purpose | Estimated Contribution | Description |
|---|---|---|
Volunteers Green, Kirkcaldy | £300,000 | This investment to provide a community space at Kirkcaldy waterfront, allowing for pop-up business space, events and family activities. |
Adam Smith Theatre Outdoor Space, Kirkcaldy | £200,000 | External works to improve the exterior of the facility, enhance the landscaping, and provide additional opportunities to promote this space for the benefit of the community. |
Leven High Street | £315,000 | A contribution to revamping the public realm, street furniture and community space, following the high street fires in late 2022 and ongoing disruption. |
Dunfermline Gap Site (City Square) | £800,000 | Development of the gap site was one of the key projects contained in the unsuccessful Dunfermline and West Fife bid to the UK Govt Levelling Up Fund. |
Fife Wide Building Improvement Grant | £200,000 | Shopfronts, building repair energy efficiency and upper floor conversions. |
Glenrothes Enterprise Hub | £100,000 | Investment to reconfigure and refurbish flexible town centre enterprise space in response to market demand following Covid-19. |
Officers expect the Scottish Government will set timescales and conditions, with projects to be completed by the end of September 2024. All projects can meet both the ambitions and conditions of the Fund as set out by the Scottish Government and link to both Fife's Economic Recovery Action Plan and the Mid-Fife Action Plan.
Since April 2019, Fife Council has received £11.806m of funding from the Scottish Government, from the Town Centre Capital Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme. This funding has been used to support 30 projects, including creation of enterprise space, public realm improvements and building investment.