This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Stirling 'can be among best in Europe'
19/08/2003
Stirling has the potential to develop into one of the
best cities in Europe, Public Services Minister Andy Kerr
said during a visit today.
The Executive's Cities Growth Fund has provided Stirling
with £1.9 million, announced in July, to further projects
focusing on sustainability, health and inclusion which can
improve quality of life.
Mr Kerr said:
"I was excited by the innovative proposals the city of
Stirling had drawn up and it is great to see these coming
to fruition. They cover a wide range of priorities and
address social, economic and cultural needs. Importantly,
they will make a real difference to the quality of life for
people in Stirling.
"The vision of Stirling is of an attractive,
economically strong and culturally rich city - they are
building on existing services and facilities to achieve
this. Money from the cities growth fund is going towards a
wide variety of projects to improve Stirling's health, to
regenerate its communities and to improve the overall look
and feel of the city.
"Projects include improving the area around Stirling
city centre to maximise tourism potential and improving
walkways and greenspaces.
"During my tour of the city I visited the Raploch
regeneration project. The regeneration aims to address the
education and housing needs of the area; improve health
facilities and social services; and promote sustainable
employment and new business opportunities.
"I also visited the Forthside site and listened to the
council's plans for sustainable development. This is to be
an eco-friendly sustainable business space to attract
business and people with sustainable interests.
"It has attracted funding support of £700,000 from the
city growth fund and is an important part of the city's
strategy to make Stirling a healthy and environmentally
attractive place to live and work.
"Stirling is a city that is growing and modernising. It
has an increasingly strong retail sector and successful
financial sector and is home to many leading businesses. It
has a fundamental role to play in growing our economy.
Working in partnership with the Executive, Scotland's
cities and other sectors - I am confident Stirling will
develop and establish itself as one the best cities in
Europe."
The Cities Review was announced in December 2000 and
concluded with a report in January 2003. At the same time,
the Executive launched the Action Plan
Building Better Cities, which commissioned
city councils to draw up city visions and proposals for
spending a £90 million city growth fund which was announced
on January 9 this year.
Stirling's share of the fund is £1.9 million over three
years.
The city's proposals are:
Sustainability Centre - £700,000
WHO Health city - £38,000
Stirling style - £200,000
City gateways - £200,000
Routes and linkages - £400,000
Spaces - £70,000
Riverside improvements - £75,000
Stirling URC - £100,000
Castle area improvements - £50,000
City region study - £19,000
Total - £1.9 million