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Economic Development

By the people, for the people, Place Based Investment Programme success in bringing projects to fruition

As East Ayrshire’s five year multi-million pound Place Based Investment Programme enters its final year, Councillors recognised its success in bringing communities together to make real and lasting improvements through co-operation, consultation and a process of “sharing the love” which has meant funds were eked out to provide the maximum possible benefits in communities large and small throughout the whole area.

PBIP Years one to four have resulted in projects being awarded £3,638,853. This was made up of £3,584,000  from the PBIP fund and £54,853 from Developer Contributions.

For Year Five, 2025 – 2026 the Funding Overview has been split into two tranche allocations, Tranche One Allocation has been awarded £620,136 with the potential of a Tranche Two Allocation of  £171,864.

A mark of its success has been the high level of demand and the resultant successful applications from community groups to spend the funds - which came from the Scottish Government, East Ayrshire Council and Developer Contribution Funds -  giving those groups choice and access to expertise to help them spend on projects shaped by and for local communities.

Praising the scheme’s success so far, Councillor Drew Filson, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place Based Investment said: “The beauty of this scheme has been the way it fits with our ambitions to concentrate on community led regeneration which builds community wealth by  improving environment and infrastructure to provide work, wellbeing and leisure opportunities that are genuinely shaped by those who live and work in each area.

“While we recognise that funds are limited and the demand for projects has outstripped supply it’s been good to see that creative thinking has helped at every level, with some groups giving back any underspend for use by other projects “sharing the love” so other communities can benefit and get their projects moving.

“When expected funding from the Scottish Government was cut substantially for Year Four of the project in May 2024 our Community Led Regeneration Team worked with applicants to explore and successfully pursue alternative sources of investment meaning that many projects were still able to go ahead despite the cuts.

Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities continued: “Over the first four years the funding has allowed us to work with people in smaller communities towns and villages throughout the area, providing much needed improvements which we know are wanted, needed and will genuinely make a difference to those who benefit.

“All the applications are considered by a panel comprising senior Council officers, and openly recruited local citizens, who have experience of managing regeneration projects. This is overseen by the Community Led Regeneration Team who have knowledge and expertise in guiding applicants through the process and signposting them to additional funding sources.

“One of the most notable successes of the funding programme is the Shop Front Improvement Scheme, which has led to the completion of 74 shop front restorations, in villages and towns throughout East Ayrshire, designed to be in keeping with the fabric and history of the buildings.  A further 21 shops are currently undergoing renovation – work like this takes the burden off the premises owner, brightens the built environment and helps promote footfall and encourage others to smarten their own buildings.

“All the many projects which are currently being worked on or are complete, have arisen from local need and desire with practical applications including:

  • A kitchen extension at Ochiltree Community Hub
  • New flooring for Yipworld in Cumnock
  • Path works at the Community Open Garden Shortlees (COGS) in Kilmarnock
  • Path improvements at Waterlip Path by Darvel Area Regeneration Team (DART)
  • Netherthird Initiative for Community Empowerment (NICE) in Cumnock for a Heating Upgrade
  • Darvel Community Trust – Darvel Sports Centre Mezzanine
  • Ramp at John Knox Church in Stewarton
  • Picnic bench replacement for Dunlop and Lugton Park Association
  • Kilmaurs Community Council repairs to Penny Bridge
  • Fenwick Community Initiatives – upgrade of John Fulton Memorial Hall

“These are just a representative sample of the work that’s been carried out – all of which are helping to accelerate our ambitions to cut carbon emissions and improve wellbeing and prosperity  through inclusive economic development to tackle inequality and disadvantage.”

For Year Five of the project, the funding will be targeted towards new groups and projects, with an emphasis on using the “share the love” principle to share knowledge between interestested groups to leverage wider investment from other sources, such as the Renewable Energy Grant Fund, Developer Contributions Funding and Town Centre Regeneration Funds.