Latest news with #Long-TermPlanforTowns
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Kilmarnock Fair Festival set to return to Howard Park in June
Around £60k in UK Government funding will be used to hold the event. Kilmarnock Fair Festival will return to Howard Park this June, thanks to a £60,000 investment secured through the UK Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods fund. East Ayrshire Council is expected to agree to enter a negotiated contract with Centrestage to deliver the event on Saturday, June 28. The festival, which aims to strengthen community ties and support regeneration, is being organised on behalf of the Kilmarnock Neighbourhood Board—also known as We Make Kilmarnock. The decision on the contract will be considered at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, with the council using powers to directly negotiate the contract due to time constraints caused by changes in government funding criteria earlier this year. Last year's inaugural event drew large crowds with a family-friendly daytime programme in the park and an evening celebration in the town centre, featuring talent showcases and headline music acts. This year's festival is expected to follow a similar format, with local entertainment, food stalls, live music, and a funfair running from 1pm to 9pm. The funding forms part of the second tranche of 'capacity' support from the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, which replaced the former Long-Term Plan for Towns initiative following the change in UK Government. Kilmarnock is one of seven Scottish towns selected to receive a £20 million, ten-year endowment to support community-led regeneration. Officials say the festival is not only a community celebration, but also a vital tool for gathering local views to shape future regeneration plans. Police Scotland and other local partners are also engaged in planning to ensure the event is safe and welcoming for all attendees. While the contract with Centrestage is specific to this year's event, future editions of the Fair Festival may also be supported through the Plan for Neighbourhoods, subject to the Neighbourhood Board's recommendations and council agreement. The cabinet will consider the proposal on Wednesday, May 7.
South Wales Argus
29-04-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Campaign to revamp Fairwater Square submitted to council
A petition titled 'Revitalise Fairwater Square: Create a Safe, Accessible & Vibrant Community Hub' has received more than 200 signatures. The petition argues that local organisations should support the redevelopment of Fairwater Square turning it into a 'vibrant community hub.' It reads 'Fairwater Square has the potential to be a thriving centre for the local community, but currently, it faces issues such as antisocial behaviour, limited accessibility, and outdated infrastructure. 'We urge the local authority and partners to invest in the redevelopment of the site to create a space that meets modern housing, commercial, and community needs while fostering a sense of safety and inclusion.' The area was popular as a shopping district in the seventies but has since declined. Fairwater resident and Labour party member Mark-Ward Jones 57, who co-founded the petition said: 'I've lived in Fairwater Cwmbran across the road from the shops all my life. I've seen the shops in their heyday. 'In the seventies, it was a vibrant shopping centre, well used and now they are in a state of decay.' Fairwater Square Cwmbran (Image: Mark-Ward Jones) The petition says that Torfaen County Borough Council, Bron Afon Community Housing, and Cwmbran Futures Board should help towards this redevelopment. Mark argues that funding used from the UK government's Long-Term Plan for Towns can also be used towards this. Mark explained 'Either we strike now and get something done now or we'll be in the same position in the future. 'It'll improve the lives of all that's here.' Back in 2023 Cwmbran was promised £20 million from the UK Government as part of a long-term investment plan for towns that have been overlooked. The money was set to be split over a ten-year endowment-style and spent on local people's priorities, like regenerating local high streets and town centres or securing public safety. However, this money has since been delayed until 2026. Mark explained why he wants something done. He said: 'A lot of people find it intimidating and an area for antisocial behaviour. 'For a long time I thought we could do something for the area.' The petition argues that the area should be revamped with new housing, better footpath access, and better public transport links. It has the support of these other councillors: Torfaen County Borough Council Cllr Rose Seabourne, Fairwater Ward Cllr Jayne Watkins, Fairwater Ward Cllr Mandy Owen, Greenmeadow Ward Cllr Collette Thomas, Two Locks Ward Cwmbran Community Council Cllr Julian Davenne, Fairwater & Oaksford Ward Cllr Phil Seabourne, Ty Canol Ward Cllr Lyndon Chaney, Greenmeadow Ward Cllr Rhiannon Bennett, Coed Eva Ward Cllr Fey Jones, St Dials Ward Cllr Kebba Manneh, St Dials Ward Henllys Community Council Cllr Collette Thomas Cllr Brendan Roberts
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Scarborough volunteers wanted to decide how £20m should be spent
Volunteers are being sought for a board to help decide how almost £20m of funding will be is set to receive the cash from the Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods order to allocate the funds a series of neighbourhood boards are being set up to bring together residents and businesses to decide how to spend the board will decide how to use the funding, including on options such as repairs to pavements and high streets, setting up low-cost community grocers, and providing low-cost alternatives when shopping for essentials, to co-operatives or even neighbourhood watches. Roles include chair of the board as well as regular board members and residents have until 18:00 BST on 9 May to submit their roles are unpaid, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Yorkshire Council said: "We aim to refresh the board by seeking applications for a new Chair to lead the Neighbourhood Board forward."Additionally, we are inviting individuals with expertise and experience in the Plan for Neighbourhoods themes to join as new board members."The new Plan for Neighbourhoods aims to deliver on the commitments made to deprived communities by the previous Conservative government's Long-Term Plan for Towns, which committed long-term investment in 55 towns including Scarborough. Town 'champion' The council said the ideal candidate for the board would be an "independent individual who already holds a prominent role within the town and has a genuine passion for Scarborough".They will work closely with and under the guidance of the head of the Scarborough Town Board David Kerfoot."Acting as a champion for Scarborough, the Chair will provide leadership for the Neighbourhood Board, ensuring it is community-led and embedded within the local area," the description member applications are particularly welcomed from "individuals representing groups and organisations associated with high streets, skills, cohesion (including youth and faith), health and wellbeing, and transport". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
