Voting day looms for destination of £200k funding of new projects

Angus residents are to have a say in how £200,000 of funding should be spent on projects in their local area.

Voting opens tomorrow for the 114 projects that have made it to the final stage of the Choice for Angus scheme.

The money will be split across four areas in the county, with £50,000 up for grabs in each.

The areas are Arbroath; Brechin and Montrose; Carnoustie, Monifieth and Sidlaws; and Forfar and Kirriemuir.

The projects vying for cash include a drive to clean up the coast and the Tayside Amphibian and Reptile group, which is trying to paint a picture of amphibian migration across Tayside.

Independent Mark Salmond, Angus Council’s communities convener, said: “I would encourage as many people as possible across Angus to get involved and vote, whether in person or online.

“This is the community’s opportunity to get involved.

“The more people we can involve in designing services and taking decisions locally, the better decisions we’ll get for local people.”

Votes can be cast online at shapingangus.co.uk or in person at various locations throughout Angus.

These include Carnoustie Main Hub, Monifieth Library, Wellbank Village Hall, Kirriemuir Town Hall, Montrose Academy, Webster’s Theatre and Friockheim Hub.

The winning projects will be announced on February 14.

By 2021, local authorities will be required to funnel one percent of their main budget through participatory budgeting.

Dundee held the similar Dundee Decides in 2018.