Chance for locals to get involved

The Community Empowerment Act and its benefits are on the agenda for next week’s meeting of the East Neuk Community Forum.

North Fife area manager Janice Laird will give the lowdown on community asset transfer, which enables voluntary groups to take over council assets such as halls, and community participation which allows groups to become more involved in the delivery of services.

She will also highlight the benefits of participatory budgeting, which lets individuals, rather than Fife Council officers or councillors, determine what projects should get funding.

It has been rolled out elsewhere in Fife and will come to the East Neuk early next year.

The meeting, at Waid Academy on Thursday September 6 at 7pm, will also include a short presentation on the role of a community councillor, especially for 16 to 18-year-olds who might be interested in joining, plus information on how young people can get involved in volunteering.

East Neuk Conservative councillor Linda Holt said the community forum’s meetings were a great way for people to find out how to get more involved, through groups such as community councils or volunteering.

“Residents know best what their communities want and need, and the East Neuk has a rich history of community action,” she said.

“The challenge now is to get younger people involved.”