Bid for cash to help your community

Residents of three Rutherglen communities are being offered cash to implement dream projects that will make a lasting difference in their area.

People living in Westburn, Whitlawburn or Burnhill have the opportunity to bid for cash in the next round of South Lanarkshire Council’s participatory budget.

Community Links, which has supported a number of community groups win funding, is urging those with ideas but a lack of funding to come forward.

To apply, people must have a new idea that will make a difference to their local community. They must have thought about where, when and how it will take place; who will be involved in running it; and what difference it will make for locals.

A unique pot of money within the local authority, the participatory budget - handed down by the Scottish Government - allows residents and community groups to get involved in decision making and prioritise how money is invested in their area.

Previously funded projects have included sports and physical activity projects, baby and toddler groups, a family fun day, environmental improvement projects and residential trips for young people.

Kevin Stewart, Scottish Government minister for local government, said the participatory budget was empowering communities to tackle poverty and address inequalities in the most effective ways.

He said: “The participatory budget is a way for local people to have a direct say in how, and where, public funds can be used to address local requirements. This normally involves members of the community deciding through a voting process how to spend part of the budget of a public agency such as a local authority.

“Our Community Choices funding boost of £530,000 in January 2016 means that over the past six months over 4000 people have attended around 50 participatory budget events which have involved hundreds of community groups. Importantly, more than £1 million has now been distributed democratically by local people.

“I look forward to having further constructive discussions with local government about our shared interests including how we can get communities more involved in local decision-making.

“I will continue to work with your local authority on their roles and responsibilities and get more powers into the hands of communities.”

People who would like information can talk to a community development worker by calling Community Links on 01698 827583.