Glasgow receives major place-based funding for community projects

Almost £3.7m in place-based funding has been approved by Glasgow City Council to support projects which improve local communities.

The funding comes from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP), including the Place Fund, which is for local authorities to allocate to support shared local plans and aspirations.

The Scottish government guidance for the Place Fund lists various themes that it can be used in relation to, such as 20-minute neighbourhoods, town centre regeneration, community led regeneration, achieving net zero, and promoting wellbeing and inclusive economic development.

Cllr Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm at Glasgow City Council, said: ‘This very welcome funding can help in the development and regeneration by and of communities across Glasgow, revitalising our town centres and bringing real inclusive growth to those neighbourhoods. This support will be invaluable in efforts to deliver economic, environmental and social transformation to the city in the years to come.’

Glasgow City Council has been allocated £3.699million for 2021/22, and a council committee approved the acceptance of this funding on 2 December.

Council officers are developing various programmes for intervention for which the Place Fund support could be used, including transformational town centre works, particularly in peripheral estates where market failure is apparent.

The funding will also be used to develop 20-minute neighbourhoods, including public realm and active travel measures, and address food inclusion and sustainable food choices.

In related news, initiatives to tackle the climate emergency, support economic recovery and reduce inequalities are expected to be central to this year’s Scottish Budget.

The 2022-23 Budget, which will be presented to the Scottish Parliament on 9 December, will set out plans to transition Scotland to a fairer and greener economy.

Photo by Adam Marikar