‘Your voice, your choice’ at event to decide on community funding

St Andrew’s Church in Arbroath hosts a “Your Voice, Your Choice” event on March 28.

This is open to everyone with a DD11 postcode, from eight years old and above, and will feature short presentations from all of the community groups which have applied for grants from the Scottish Government’s Community Choices Fund.

The Rev Martin Fair said: “The intention behind this fund is to put decision-making about how money is spent into the hands of local people who know best the needs of their communities.

“To that end, pilot projects have been put in place across the country, with local Church of Scotland congregations having been given responsibility to administer the process.

“In relation to the Arbroath project, over a dozen groups have applied with the amount being applied for more than double the amount of money available.

“This is where the general public comes in who, after being given an opportunity to hear from each project, will vote for which projects they deem to be most desirable.

“Thereafter, grants will be awarded depending on the outcome of the vote.”

Doors open at 6.30pm with the event beginning at 7pm.

Refreshments and home-baking will be available.

Mr Fair added: “What a brilliant opportunity to have a say in how public money is used for the betterment of our community.

“We’re hopeful that lots of local people will come along and participate in this process, making their voices heard and their choices clear.”

Email office@arbroathstandrews.org.uk for information.