Cathy calls for Rural Regeneration Fund

Labour leadership contender Cathy Jamieson today called for a Rural Regeneration Fund to be established to help sustain local rural communities across Scotland.

She said:

"The needs of rural Scotland are all too often overlooked.

"As someone who represents parts of rural Ayrshire I know the problems all too well.

"To sustain our rural villages, residents need to have access to services and facilities.

"We need to be more imaginative about how services can be provided in more remote
areas.

"Supporting small businesses, rural schools and local retailers are all vital in
creating vibrant village communities.

"Access to public transport is also essential.

"Increasingly these communities want to take action themselves to improve and
regenerate their local area.

"However, it can be difficult for smaller rural communities to come up with the match funding needed to access Lottery other grants to take projects forward.

"I want a new Rural Regeneration Fund which could provide kick start funding
for local projects.

"I've heard from people in rural areas who want to improve their village halls, provide community transport and create play facilities for children.

"They are prepared to commit their time and effort to the community, but need some funding to get going.

"I've seen how successful the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has been in helping
local communities and a Rural Regeneration Fund along similar lines would go a
long way towards helping people in rural Scotland."

Promoted and Published by Hugh Henry on behalf of Cathy Jamieson, 6 Parkinch, Erskine, PA8 7HZ