Residents urged to join in to help drive a thriving community

Cupar residents have been urged to help decide how to spend £15,000 and help improve the quality of life for local people.

Fife Council is looking for ideas for projects with a focus on preventing poverty and social isolation and improving mental health. The aim is to support people to live long, happy and fulfilling lives – one of the key objectives of the Plan for Fife. Members of the community will be able to vote for their favourite ideas following consultation over the summer.

The council’s community manager for north east Fife, Janice Laird, said social isolation and hidden poverty were highlighted as issues at a recent rural poverty conference.

She said: “This initiative aims to involve people in finding local solutions and deciding how public funding is spent in their area.

“This approach is known as participatory budgeting and was a recommendation from the Fairer Fife Commission as a way of creating a Fairer Fife, getting people involved and giving them a direct say in where public money can make a difference.”

The “Driving a Thriving Cupar” theme was chosen to help tackle poverty, social isolation and reduce inequalities.

Janice added: “We are looking for projects that have an emphasis on bringing people together and help those who might be lonely. “Loneliness and social isolation can have a negative impact on people’s mental health so we want to support ideas that can improve that aspect of life.”

It is hoped as many people as possible will attend an information workshop in County Buildings on Monday from 4.30-6.30pm.