Date: 30 April 2009 BROCKLEBANK WELCOMES OPENING OF APPLICATION PROCESS FOR TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION FUND Commenting after the Scottish Government opened the application process for the £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund, Ted Brocklebank, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said;
“I welcome the news that the Scottish Government has opened the application process for the £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund, secured by the Scottish Conservatives in the recent budget. The fund provides a real opportunity to help our struggling town centres and fight Gordon Brown’s recession.
“I am pleased that a wide range of organisations, from local authorities to small businesses, are able to apply and that bids are to be assessed on the basis of the economic, environmental and sustainable benefit they deliver, by an independent advisory panel. Bids will only be successful if they can be quickly delivered and provide a lasting impact, allowing successful communities to receive immediate benefits.
“The Conservative website www.helpourhighstreet.com has received numerous responses from towns in Fife who wish to benefit from the fund. Cupar and Glenrothes have received most recommendations as being ideal candidates to benefit from the fund. Leslie, Kirkcaldy, Tayport and St Andrews have also been proposed and I would encourage all these towns, as well as any other local communities who are unhappy with the state of their town centres, to lodge their application by the initial deadline of 5 June 2009.
“The application process will be in two stages. Bids will be accepted until 5 June for the first £40 million of the fund, with successful applications being given grants by 30 July. Applications for the remaining £20 million will close on 21 August, and grants will be administered by 19 October.
“The Town Centre Regeneration Fund provides an excellent chance to counter Labour’s recession and revitalise our ailing town centres. I urge all local communities in Fife, who believe they can benefit from the fund, not to miss their opportunity in applying.”
| 
