Vote gives residents chance to say how cash should be spent

FUNDING: Eight ideas in running for £15,000 payout

Residents in Cupar have been given a unique chance to have their say on how thousands of pounds of public money should be spent.

Fife Council is holding a public voting event in Cupar’s Corn Exchange tomorrow which should leave local authority officials in no doubt how to spend £15,000 in the ward.

Over the past few months, local community groups have been asked to come up with ideas which they believe will make Cupar a thriving place and reduce inequalities. Now, eight ideas have made the shortlist and will be put to the public vote.

Community manager Janice Laird is encouraging as many people as possible to come along and have their say.

She said: “We want to help create a fairer Fife for everyone.

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

A range of initiatives are in the running and further details about all the projects vying for the cash will be available at the Corn Exchange.

One scheme is the Motorvators Project, which offers support to clients with mental health problems by teaching auto mechanics and upcycling crafts and providing workshop and employment experience.

Ceres’ community café is similarly in the running, with organisers hoping to provide a safe and welcoming environment for locals, while Cupar Highland Games – held annually in Duffus Park – could also benefit as organisers want to replace a container and trailer which were stolen last year

Sport is represented by the Reaping the Benefits of Rugby project via Howe of Fife Rugby Club, which is aiming to promote its unified rugby team and the game in general alongside working with charities and agencies which support people with mental health difficulties.

Those involved with the Fife Folk Museum will be hoping people find favour with their scheme to install signage in Cupar which will point visitors in the direction of Ceres, where the facility is based, while The Lighthouse in Cupar is keen to upgrade its toilet facilities.

The Include Me Citizen Advocacy wants to create an independent parentcarer advocacy group for parents who are carers of vulnerable adult children, while Sustainable Cupar’s More Moor Road project is seeking enhance the core path between Cupar and Ceres by providing benches, installing bird boxes and introducing interpretation boards to increase people’s understanding of local history.

We want to help create a fairer Fife for everyone. JANICE LAIRD

Cupar Highland Games could benefit from the £15,000 on offer to the most popular idea.