On March 12, 2018, it was announced that communities all across Scotland will receive shares of £26 million to support local regeneration efforts.
A total of 24 projects will be awarded funding in 2018/19 as part of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF), which supports projects that engage and involve local communities in disadvantaged areas, tackle inequality and support inclusive growth.
Paisley Museum won £4 million for renovation.
Photo courtesy of Renfrewshire Council.
The joint Scottish Government and COSLA investment will help to support or create more than 1400 jobs, refurbish or bring back into use 23 local buildings, support over 300 businesses and community enterprises as well as more than 84 community facilities and services.
Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart announced the funding at Paisley Museum, which is being given £4 million towards a £42 million project to create a major destination showing off the town’s globally-significant textile heritage and unique collections.
Mr Stewart said: “I’m really pleased that 24 fantastic, locally-driven projects will benefit from this major injection of funding. Spanning the length and breadth of the country, they will help regenerate local areas, stimulate inclusive growth and create new jobs. The focus of the projects range from tackling social isolation, mitigating welfare cuts, providing training opportunities, creating business space and increasing tourism – to name but a few. They are an excellent example of how national and local government are working together on shared priorities that benefit local communities.”
A total of 119 projects have been recommended for support from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund since 2014/15. Funding has been confirmed for the remainder of the current parliamentary term, subject to annual spending reviews.
The fund, which has been developed in partnership with COSLA and local authorities, is open to all 32 Scottish local authorities and their Special Purpose Vehicles. An independent panel makes recommendations to the Scottish Ministers and COSLA on which projects should receive funding.
The 24 funded projects are:
- Cairndow Community Childcare and Family Centre (Argyll and Bute) – £811,198
- The Rockfield Centre (Argyll and Bute) – £420,000
- Duncan Place Resource Centre (City of Edinburgh) – £1,197,765
- Rutherglen Links Office Pavilions (Clyde Gateway) – £2m
- Stornoway Regeneration Programme (Comhairle nan Eiliean Siar) – £2.3m
- Saving Moat Brae (Dumfries and Galloway) – £615,305
- Kilmarnock Academy Legacy Project (East Ayrshire) – £2m
- Ochiltree Community Hub (East Ayrshire) – £352,478
- Lock 16 Canalside Community Hub (Falkirk) – £972,000
- Dreel Halls (Fife) – £360,000
- Tayport Community Hub (Fife) – £500,000
- Govan Old – A Focus for Community Renewal (Glasgow City) – £1.9m
- Sighthill Enterprise Wharf (Glasgow City) – £650,000
- Strathdearn Community Developments (Highland) – £500,000
- Carse Outdoor Hub (Highland) – £850,000
- Morvern Community Business Hub (Highland) – £788,000
- Thomas Telford Corpach Marina (Highland) – £1,465,000
- Regenerating Rosewell (Midlothian) – £884,000
- Arran Gateway/Brodick Harbour Regeneration (North Ayrshire) – £100,000
- Glenboig Life Centre (North Lanarkshire) – £1m
- Paisley Museum (Renfrewshire) – £4m
- Great Tapestry Visitor Centre (Scottish Borders) – £1,180,000
- Springhall Community Hub (South Lanarkshire) – £300,000
- Maid of the Loch – Transforming Loch Lomond (West Dunbartonshire) – £950,000
COSLA’s Environment and Economy Spokesperson Councillor Steven Heddle said: “This fund is an invaluable tool for local authorities to help deliver on the regeneration aspirations of the communities which they represent. These diverse projects reflect the localised approaches being taken to help regenerate communities across the country, all of which will help deliver strong economic, social, and physical outcomes.”
“Continuation of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund for the remainder of the Parliamentary term emphasises the joint commitment of Scottish and local government to regeneration policy, and I’m keen to see what further innovative projects come forward in the future rounds of this fund.” he concluded.
Rendering of the Great Tapestry Visitor Centre courtesy of Scottish Borders Council,
See more information on the 24 projects awarded RCGF funding in 2018 to 2019.