News

Press Releases

CHISHOLM GIVES GO-AHEAD TO EAST AYRSHIRE’S COMMUNITY REGENERATION PLANS

A three-year plan by East Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership to lead efforts to improve the lives of people in some of its most disadvantaged areas, has been given the go-ahead by Communities Minister, Malcolm Chisholm.

This decision will release Community Regeneration Fund support of £10.8 million over the next three years from Communities Scotland, the Scottish Executive’s housing and regeneration agency, and this will be targeted at areas in East Ayrshire identified as most in need.

The plans are outlined in the Community Planning Partnership’s Regeneration Outcome Agreement (ROA) 2005-08, which gives comprehensive details of its proposals for East Ayrshire based on an analysis of the area’s greatest needs for its residents. The agreement also lays out how it will seek to fully involve the community.

The Community Planning Partnership brings together agencies to target issues such as housing, the environment, the economy, community safety, education and health to provide a strategic approach to the regeneration of East Ayrshire’s most disadvantaged areas.

Malcolm Chisholm said: “My approval of East Ayrshire’s Community Planning Partnership’s Regeneration Outcome Agreement is a significant milestone in our approach to community regeneration in East Ayrshire. I congratulate those involved for their work to date and encourage all partners to work together now to deliver real and lasting change for the most deprived communities.

“Over £300 million is being made available in Scotland over the next three years through the Community Regeneration Fund to deliver opportunities to people to improve their lives. We are committed to making a difference and I look forward to hearing more about the plans and progress being made in East Ayrshire.”

Roger Popplewell, Communities Scotland area director for East Ayrshire, added: “The Minister’s approval of the agreement for community regeneration in East Ayrshire highlights the commitment made by partners to deliver improvements for the people of East Ayrshire. Our work to implement the plan begins now and Communities Scotland looks forward to working with the East Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership to ensure that the investment brings about real improvement for the people living in the targeted areas.”

Councillor William Menzies, Chair of East Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership said: “We are delighted to receive Ministerial approval for our Regeneration Outcome Agreement. Building on our previous success via the Social Inclusion Partnership we believe that our planned investment will make a significant contribution to the lives of local people in East Ayrshire.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

1. The money will be targeted at 47 data-zones across 18 communities, and 31 per cent of the total population of East Ayrshire.

Resources will be targeted at 12 priority communities identified as being in the most disadvantaged 15 per cent in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. These are:

Bellsbank	Lugar and Logan
Auchinleck	Drongan
Catrine	Kilmarnock (North)
Patna	Kilmarnock (South)
Galston	Muirkirk
Netherthird	New Cumnock

Other areas benefiting are:

Cumnock	Dalmellington
Hurlford	Rankinston / Sinclairston
Newmilns	Dalrymple

2. A copy of the full East Ayrshire Partnership Agreement can be found at:

http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/webpages/otcs_010654.pdf

3. Targets set by the East Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership to date include:

Building strong, safe and attractive communities

Crime levels reduced – 3 per cent reduction on housebreakings and vehicle crime, 2 per cent reduction in serious, violent crime.
	Additional Police Resources – 1,500 additional police hours. CRF allocation- £100,000 (2005-07).
	CCTV – 3 cameras installed and 8500 additional hours of monitoring. CRF allocation- £270,000 (2005-06).
Attractiveness of communities improved – 10 per cent increase in residents’ satisfaction with the appearance of their neighbourhood.
	Environmental Hit Squad- 840 tonnes of waste collected, 24 hour response time provided for offensive graffiti removal and hazardous fly tipping, 280 sharps removed. CRF allocation – £270,000 (2005-07).
	Void Housing Environmental Scheme – 100 per cent of housing void gardens maintained on four- weekly basis, minimum of two additional open space grass cuts. CRF allocation – £117,000 (2005-06).

Engaging young people

Participation by people of all ages in community activity increased – 2,500 young people participating in Youth Work Programmes/Initiatives.
	Youth Outreach – 240 young people involved in youth work/ community activity, 200 street worker contacts with young people per month. CRF allocation – £145,000 (2005-07).
	Yipworld.com – 6 young people participating on Board of Directors, improved employment opportunities for 250 young people, 25 members achieving non vocational qualifications. CRF allocation- £120,000 (2005-08).
	Dalmellington Youth Centre – 40 young people in training/personal development. 10 young people in childcare training, 10 young people involved in youth empowerment. CRF allocation – £60,000 (2005-07).
Community based organisations developed and supported- 750 residents accessing volunteering opportunities.
	Community based organisations developed and supported – 750 residents accessing volunteering opportunities.
	Volunteer Centre East Ayrshire – 190 young people volunteering. CRF allocation- £11,000 (2005-07).

Getting people back into work

Residents assisted into employment increased – 10 per cent reduction in the total number of data-zones in the worst 15 per cent in respect of income deprivation.
	East Ayrshire Woodlands and Facilitation Project – 18 people into employment, 3 people into training/education and 108 accredited qualifications achieved. CRF allocation – £87,000 (2005-07).
	East Ayrshire Works – 72 people supported, 43 people into employment and 43 qualifications received. CRF allocation – £120,000 (2005-07).

Improving health

Awareness of healthy lifestyle factors improved – 10 per cent increase in individuals accessing healthy lifestyle opportunities.
	Healthy Living Initiative (CHIP van) –14,500 community health improvement project attendances, 6,000 individuals accessing Health Living Initiative. CRF allocation – £30,000 (05-08).
	Domestic Abuse Initiative – referral system established, length of hospitalisation reduced to 14 days. CRF allocation – £30,000 (05-07).
Children and young people participating in physical activity, health awareness and preventative/diversionary programmes increased. 10 per cent increase in attendance.
	Leisure United Project – 2,000 attendances of children and young people with learning disabilities in school based physical activity sessions. CRF allocation – 35,000 (05-07).
	New Sporting Futures – 12,000 attendances of young people in health related physical activity sessions, 8,000 young people participating in diversionary activities. CRF allocation – £67,000 (2006-07).

Raising educational attainment

Work related skills promoted – 10 per cent increase in the number of people accessing training/skills development who move into employment.
	East Ayrshire Job Rotation Project – 220 accredited qualifications received, 70 employment opportunities created/ maintained. CRF allocation- £35,000 (2005-07).
	Business Technology Training Centre – 50 business employees supported per annum, 100 people completing full or part qualifications. CRF allocation- £28,000 (2005-07).

Contact

media@communitiesscotland.gsi.gov.uk

Telephone: 0141 305 4161

Mobile: 07884 381 767

Communities Scotland - archived site

News

Press Releases

Contact