News from City of Dunfermline Area Committee

The City of Dunfermline Area Committee met this morning (Tuesday 1 April 2025). Here's a summary of the discussion and decisions.

Dunfermline City Centre Design and Development Framework

The City of Dunfermline Area Committee have adopted the Dunfermline City Centre Design & Development Framework. This is a high-level conceptual strategy for the city centre which will inform future project planning and investment decisions.

Area Convener, Cllr James Calder stated: "Adopting this framework takes us one step closer to a vision for our city centre. It clarifies to stakeholders and potential developers the opportunities available to create a thriving and vibrant city.”

The Framework highlights the possible ways to make the city centre better by improving the area, streets, and how people move around. The three priority areas in the framework are:

  1. public realm including the High Street;
  2. a building audit and action plan focusing on buildings of historic or architectural merit, long-term (10+ years) vacant buildings and dilapidated buildings; and
  3. connectivity – connecting communities to the city centre and improving links to transport hubs.

Dunfermline’s Economic Profile 2023/24

The Local Area Economic Profiles report gave committee an annual overview of the performance of the local economy and labour market in the Dunfermline area. Headline figures include:

  • at 81.8%, Dunfermline has the highest employment rate in Fife;
  • the area has the highest average resident and workplace earnings in Fife (£756.80 and £731.10 per week respectively); and
  • the number of people visiting the Dunfermline area during 2023 increased by 20% compared with 2022.

In February 2025, the council’s Employability and Employer Engagement Team launched a new filmmaking academy to give practical industry experience to young unemployed people. Based at the Fire Station Creative, the academy builds participants’ employability skills and confidence, helping them progress in the industry. Due to the academy’s success, the team is looking at options to run a further academy.

As part of the delivery of the City of Dunfermline Tourism Action Plan, four walking tours - the Dunfermline Discovery Trails, are being developed. The Council’s Tourism Team is also developing the travel trade market for the city by working with partners on tourism products such as new cycle routes.

Area Convener, Cllr James Calder welcomed the report saying: "This report highlights the ongoing economic challenges facing our city - but it also shows the great work going on and the opportunities for investment, growth, and community development."