Members of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee at their meeting on 14 May will hear a report on the progress of the Regeneration Capital Grants Fund (RCGF).
The RCGF is a Scottish Government fund which is open to applications from Scottish local authorities. Delivered in partnership with COSLA, the fund supports locally developed regeneration projects that involve local communities, helping to support and create jobs and build sustainable communities.
Applications to the fund are made on an annual basis and this Council is eligible to apply on behalf of communities who are seeking grants for projects in our region.
Applications are not restricted to geography, size or type of project, but must focus on:
• areas which suffer from high levels of deprivation and disadvantage
• demonstrating clear community involvement
• delivering large scale transformational change with strong outcomes
• encouraging additional investment and address market failure
It is for the organisations which apply to demonstrate that their project fits with the aims and objectives of the fund and can demonstrate clear regeneration results.
There were 5 applications submitted to stage 1 in June 2018, four of which progressed to stage 2 in October. One of them, Johnstone School – Activity and Resource Center, were successful with an award for the full amount requested. The Council received positive feedback from the Scottish Government on two of the applications – The Oven, Midsteeple and Kelloholm STEM skills and Innovation Centre – and encouraged the Council to reapply during 2019/20.
There are a number of projects, led by third parties, which may be the subject of the next round of stage one applications:
• The Oven (Midsteeple Quarter)
• Rosefield Mills (Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust)
• Veterans Garden project (Crichton Trust)
• Whithorn Pilgrim Route (All Roads Lead to Whithorn Charitable Trust)
• Glentrool Community Enterprise Hub (Glentrool and Bargennan Community Trust)
In addition, the Council’s Kelloholm STEM Skills and Innovation Centre project is being developed through close collaboration with Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Development Trust, Brown Brothers Food Group, Dumfries and Galloway college and Scottish Enterprise. This could also be the subject of a Stage 1 application.
Chair of EEI Committee, Archie Dryburgh said: “This is a great opportunity for local community regeneration projects. We aim to support a wide range of groups, but there are also various alternative funders who may be able to support projects where RCGF is unsuitable. In this case our Economic Development Officers may be able to assist to identify a more appropriate funding route.”
Vice Chair Andrew Wood commented: “It’s great to hear of these successful projects within our area and of the encouragement we have received from the Scottish Government to reapply to the 2020/21 round of funding.”
