Group’s funding boost for base

Over £68k landed

T h e K i r k s h aws neighbourhood centre has received a grant of more than £68,000 from the Scottish Land Fund – as the group prepares to take community ownership of its building.

The Coatbridge organisation will use the funds to buy the Haddington Way building, which it has leased for more than two decades, from owners North Lanarkshire Council.

Announcing the award, Scottish Land Fund officials said: “Community ownership will allow the group to refurbish the centre and further meet the needs of the community.”

Commenting on the fivefigure boost, Neighbourhood Centre trustee board chair Theresa Strain said: “This is an exciting time for the community of Kirkshaws .

“The award will enable us to go forward on our vision of establishing a fit-for-purpose building that will help us to increase and improve activities and services.”

Councillors on the local authority’s infrastructure committe approved the transfer of the converted former tenement block at their recent meeting, noting that “community benefit is considered to be significant”.

An accompanying report added: “Kirkshaws neighbourhood centre provides valuable services to the community.

“The g ro u p has undertaken consultation and gathered information about services and facilities the local population would like to see.”

The Coatbridge group was one of eight across Scotland to share a combined £1.2m in the latest round of Scottish land Fund awards.