This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Curran's £3m Funding Boost to Scotland's Ex-Mining Communities
26/06/2001
Scotland's former mining communities were given a boost today when Margaret Curran, Deputy Minister for Social Justice, announced Scottish Executive funding for the Scottish Coalfields Regeneration Trust of £1.554m each year for at least the next two years.
Speaking at the Scottish Coalfields Conference, Ms Curran said:
"The work of the Scottish Coalfields Regeneration Trust is proving a positive force in ex-mining communities throughout Scotland. By providing financial support and advice, the Trust has enabled many community groups to develop and thrive, creating and expanding local facilities, services, employment and activities.
"I want to see the work of the Trust develop. The Scottish Executive will continue to fund the work of the Trust with over £1.5m each year, for at least the next two years"
With Scottish Executive funding of £4.549m from 1999/2000 to 2001/2002, the Scottish Coalfields Regeneration Trust has already funded projects in many ex-mining areas such as the Lothians and Lanarkshire, Ayshire and Strathclyde.
Briech Valley Information Service secured £106,000 from the Trust to provide the North Lanarkshire area with information on income and employment opportunities. In Midlothian, McSense Workplace Ltd received £70,454 to expand its draught-proofing business, creating employment for local people.
Ms Curran said:
"The regeneration of coalfield areas must be seen in the context of the Executive's overall commitment to Social Justice for everyone in Scotland: to tackle poverty and deprivation and create prosperous, thriving communities.
"With its expertise in the ex-mining areas of Scotland, the Scottish Coalfields Regeneration Trust can contribute its specialist knowledge into the overall network of regeneration activity.
Ms Curran highlighted the many Scottish Executive regeneration initiatives which contribute to the programme of regeneration in ex-mining communities: Social Inclusion Partnerships, the Kickstart Programme, Better Neighbourhood Services Fund and Community Planning.
Ms Curran said:
"I recognise the specific problems many mining communities have faced since the decline of the industry. But ex-mining communities are turning the corner; they are heading for a more prosperous future. By working together, the Scottish Executive, organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors, along with the communities themselves, can tackle the problems of poverty and social exclusion, transforming these former mining areas of Scotland into strong, forward-looking, vibrant communities"
BACKGROUND
- The Coalfield Communities Campaign (CCC) organised the Scottish Coalfields Conference. It is a UK wide organisation primarily concerned with lobbying on behalf of coalfield areas.
- The GB Coalfields Regeneration Trust was launched in September 1999. The Scottish arm was launched in March 2000. The Trust is an independent body established on the recommendation of the Coalfields Task Force 1998 Report..
- The Trust provides financial assistance and advice to groups involved in regenerating former coalfield areas. Employment initiatives, credit unions, health and community facilities are just some of the projects which have been given funding by the Trust
4. The Scottish Executive provided the Coalfields Regeneration Trust with £4.549m for Scotland over a three year period, 1999/00 to 2001/02. The funding announced today for the next two years is a slight increase on the previous annual amounts.
News Release: SE1541/2001
26 Jun 2001