THE Scottish Government is backing plans to encourage residents in Dalmellington to build a brighter future for its mining community.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) received a Scottish Government Aspiring Communities Fund award of almost £40,000 for their Reclaiming Coalfield Communities programme, named the ‘act as if you own the place’, which will be used to employ three new community engagement officers.

These officers are hoping to spend the next six months working with the Dalmellington community, Bo’ness and Cardenden, to help draw up new Community Action plans.

Nicky Wilson, Scottish Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “Our Coalfields Community Futures programme has been hugely successful in supporting mining towns and villages as they plan their future.

“We are delighted to work with the Electoral Reform Society and to have the backing of the Aspiring Communities Fund to help Dalmellington, Bo’ness, and Cardenden take planning their futures to the next level.”
Willie Sullivan, Scottish Director of the Electoral Reform Society, added:

“We are really excited about working with the CRT again and the people of Dalmellington, Bo’ness and Cardenden, to help them shape their future.

“Democracy has not served our coalfields communities well, as they continue to suffer from health, employment, and other inequalities, decades after the collapse of their industry.

“We believe that the ‘Act as if you own the place’ concept will take decision making closer to the real experts, the people who live in these areas and are most affected by future planning.”