Local recipients of final year of place-based funding announced
Twenty local projects and groups are celebrating the news this week that their applications for funding for the final year of the Scottish Government’s Place-Based Investment Programme (PBIP) have been successful.
The PBIP is a 5-year Scottish Government investment programme covering financial years 2021/22 to 2025/26. It aims to align place-based initiatives and support local ambitions for town centre revitalisation, community led regeneration and Community Wealth Building. In accordance with the programme criteria, PBIP funds are used to cover capital costs of projects, which are additional to those which would otherwise be allocated in annual budgets. Projects receiving funds from the programme must be shaped by the needs and aspirations of local communities, tackling inequality and disadvantage, and prioritising net zero, wellbeing and inclusive economic development.
For 2025/26, a total pot of £666,535 was available for East Ayrshire projects and as with previous years, the fund attracted a lot of interest from local groups, receiving 44 applications in total.
A panel of local residents were invited to assess the applications independently from the senior officer panel, and the scores were combined to form a total assessment against the funding criteria. As part of the evaluation process, Cabinet had previously agreed to target this year’s investment towards new groups and projects and ‘investment ready’ projects. Of the 20 projects selected for funding, seven came from new groups; nine were for new projects; and four previous or existing PBIP recipients.
Councillor Drew Filson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Localities and Community Wealth Building said:
“Every year this funding programme attracts a lot of interest from community groups and projects across the length and breadth of East Ayrshire and this year was no exception – and yet again the programme was oversubscribed.
“The quality of the applications received this year was extremely high, and 70% came with match funding and investment ready to start if their application was successful - this is a fantastic indication of the imagination, ambition and commitment in our communities. 85% of the recommended projects are located in some of our more deprived areas, so it is really heartening to see this investment being awarded to such deserving causes and I look forward to seeing how these progress.
“Mindful of the number of projects which we have been unable to award monies to through this year’s programme, additional support will be offered to community groups, initially those who were unsuccessful, to help boost capacity and guide them through the funding application process.”
This year’s recipients include:
- Kilmarnock Tennis Club - new canopy over pitches
- Ochiltree Community Hub - kitchen extension
- Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group - vehicle shed museum
- Community Open Gardens Shortlees - path and picnic area
- Dalrymple Skeldon and Hollybush Project - new roof for community hub
- New Cumnock Working Mens Club - new wall seating
- Reconnect Community Hub Kilmarnock - refurbishment
- Loch Doon Caravan and Camping Park - resurfacing
- Renewal and installation of all-inclusive toilets for Dalmellington Pavilion
- Hurlford Tool Library – refurbishing shipping containers
- Drongan Community Association - hall refurbishment
- Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group - new doors for heritage repair shop
- Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise - refurbishment of existing terrace area
- Cumnock Juniors Football Club Social Club - new kitchen
- Crosshouse Community Football Club - Lindsay Park path upgrade
- Crossroads Community Hub Ltd - installation of a walk-in chiller and freezer
- Yipworld - create a new accessible, multi-use space
- Dunlop and Lugton Park Association - installation of Hedgehog Bridge
- Cumnock Arts Makes People Smile (CAMPS) - acoustic improvements and new performance space
- Lugar Bowling Club - CCTV upgrade and replacement path