Date: 08 August 2009 BROCKLEBANK PLEASED KIRKCALDY BENEFITS FROM TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION FUND BUT UNHAPPY NORTH EAST FIFE MISSES OUT Commenting on news that Kirkcaldy is set to receive £2million from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Ted Brocklebank, said;
“I am very pleased that Kirkcaldy is set to receive £2million from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund which will provide a welcome lift to the area. The local community and local businesses will now receive crucial financial support to help them through these difficult times.
“This £60 million fund was secured by the Scottish Conservatives as part of this year’s budget. Labour and the Lib Dems voted against it and the SNP Government only agreed to include the scheme in the budget as a result of pressure from the Scottish Conservatives.
“However, I am disappointed that none of the applications from communities in North East Fife have been successful in securing a slice of the fund. I know that numerous local communities in the area had submitted excellent bids and if they had been successful the funding would have provided a very real boost to the local economies, currently struggling in the midst of Gordon Brown’s recession. Looking at the distribution of the fund throughout Scotland, it is somewhat discouraging that much of the money appears to have gone to SNP strongholds.
“It must be highlighted that this is only the first tranche of funding. There is a further deadline of 21 August to bid for the final £20 million of the fund. The Conservative website www.helpourhighstreet.com received numerous responses from towns in Fife wishing to benefit from the fund, with Cupar and Glenrothes being particularly championed as ideal beneficiaries. I would urge these towns, and others from Fife who have already applied, to look at how they can re-submit improved entries.
“Local communities who have not already bid, but believe they can benefit from the fund should also not miss this final opportunity to boost their struggling high streets.”
| 
