Praise for neighbourhood plans which improve communities

Kirkcaldy councillors have hailed work being carried out to improve health, safety and community spirit in local communities.

Neighbourhood development plans are in place in the Gallatown, Templehall and Linktown and Invertiel areas of Kirkcaldy, as well as the Castle area of Burntisland.

Kirkcaldy area committee convener Neil Crooks said: “Local politicians pledged that Fife Council would work with people in their communities rather than do things to their communities.

“Kirkcaldy area committee agreed to the appointment of two local development officers in 2013 to work in certain parts of the committee area where inequality and poverty had been embedded for years.

“Building trust and investing time and resources to the four areas was the starting point back then and this week we were updated on local activity and it’s very encouraging for us to hear our initiatives are making a difference.”

The Labour councillor added: “Each of the plans are now well established in their areas thanks to the efforts of the dedicated local development officers and the local communities that have become so involved in shaping their own neighbourhoods.”

In Gallatown, hundreds of people have engaged with the project, initially funded by the Scottish Government, which has delivered a new community centre among other things.

Mr Crooks said the input of locals would make a difference to daily lives for years to come.

The Templehall plan is regarded as Fife’s pilot for potentially expanding the approach in other areas in a bid to create fairer, more inclusive communities.