The community-led projects include local people taking ownership of property, redeveloping assets, or making the best use of green space.

Angus Council’s Policy and Resources Executive Sub-Committee approved the sum of £600,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Communities and Place Priority at its meeting last month. This followed a pause on the 2024 Scottish Government Place-Based Investment Programme (PBIP).

The funding is directed at strengthening the social fabric and fostering a sense of local pride and belonging - through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural, and social ties and access to amenities, such as community infrastructure, local green space, and community-led projects.

Expressions of interest were invited from community groups and services in Angus. Projects were then assessed on a set of criteria; including delivery towards net zero; sustainability; and how deliverable projects were within the timescale of this year’s fund.

The successful Angus projects include:

Redevelopment works to the Arbroath Courthouse; final phases to the capital works at the Monifieth Activity Centre; redevelopment work to Aberlemno Village Hall; funds to ProMo in Montrose to support a town centre initiative; support for new builds by both Union Park Community Sports Hub and Forfar Sailing Club; and money to both Forfar Open Garden and Sustainable Kirriemuir to allow them to purchase infrastructure for their separate projects.

Councillor Bill Duff, chairperson of the Policy and Resource Committee said: “It is great to see so many community-led projects coming forward and the range that they demonstrate within the criteria of the fund.

“As the fund was over-subscribed, we had to make some difficult decisions based on what projects could realistically deliver this year. Our community development officers will continue to work with the project leads and our funding officer will continue to offer support to all those community groups and services that are seeking to make applications for external funding.”  

Details of the successful eight projects are as follows:

Court House, Arbroath £100,000

The vision for the former Court House, created by the Trust in consultation with the community, is to create a community-owned and community-run centre that follows the principles of sustainable development. The intention is to develop an accessible, flexible multi-purpose facility for all age groups. It will provide opportunities for social engagement, volunteering, learning and skills development, and reducing isolation. The Community Asset Capital Grant fund will fund the external building repairs.

Monifieth Activity Centre £80,000

Built by the community for the community, the Monifieth Activity Centre will provide community space for a capacity of up to 300 seats for community events and will offer a range of sports, leisure activities and a community gym. Monifieth’s new library will also be housed within the building, giving access to library services during the centre’s opening hours. The Community Asset Capital Grant Fund will provide funding for the final development stages.

Sustainable Kirriemuir Community Farm £75,000

The Sustainable Kirriemuir group lease a 17-acre field on Kinnordy Estate and have ambitious plans to turn this into a multi-use community space to create a community Food & Growing project. This project will build community resilience and upskill individuals by providing training and education in food growing and rural skills. The Community Asset Capital Grant Fund will allow the group to purchase the necessary infrastructure to allow the group to set up the initiative.

Union Park Community Sports Hub £103,000

The Union Park Community Sports Hub Group has ambitious plans for a new build to allow additional space for the activities they offer the community. The building work has started, and the Community Asset Capital Grant Fund will support the completion of the build, making the building wind and watertight.

The Forfar Open Gardens ‘Save FOG’ £35,000

Forfar Open Garden (FOG) was established to provide Forfar and the surrounding area in Angus with a community garden. This funding will allow the ‘Project Keep FOG’ to be delivered, focusing on essential activities to transform the new site into a garden, allowing the group to vacate their current site. The Community Asset Capital Grant Fund will deliver stage one of the project which is the necessary security for the site and pathways built to improve accessibility.

Bringing History Home and to the World - Aberlemno Village Hall £32,000

Working with Aberdeen University, the Pictish Arts Society, Angusalive and Historic Environment Scotland, Aberlemno Village Hall Committee have a plan to bring home and accommodate the ninth stone in the village itself, keeping it safe from the elements and accessible to the public in line with the other Carved Stones on site in Aberlemno. The Community Asset Capital Grant Fund will deliver the necessary redevelopment of the hall to accommodate the ninth stone.

Reactivate Montrose £85,000

ProMo, the Montrose Development & Improvement Community Interest Company have ambitious plans to redevelop Montrose High Street. They have a robust plan of projects for delivery. One of these projects is a community-ownership project to purchase a second high street property to renovate and rent, with a plan to attract businesses to Montrose. This Community Asset Capital Grant Fund will secure and renovate their second shop.

Forfar Sailing Club Site Redevelopment £90,000

The Forfar Sailing Club has a two-stage site redevelopment plan, which will see a larger replacement for their community Skiff store. Their current facility is well used by local groups and the club wish to extend the community activity. The Community Asset Capital Grant Fund will support the preparation and delivery of the new build.