Communities across Perth and Kinross have embraced a council-backed initiative to improve their neighbourhoods.
The latest group to benefit from the community improvement scheme are residents of North Muirton in Perth who have taken delivery of a new ride-on lawnmower to keep local greenspaces tidy.
Carried out under the council’s housing service’s Estate Based Initiatives (EBIs) project, the aim is to improve the look and environment of communities, and also to deliver wider community benefits such as supporting local employability projects.
Council tenants and local residents were asked to identify improvement projects or ideas for their local neighbourhoods, and then help take them through to completion, backed by funding from the council’s housing service.
North Muirton in Bloom came up with the idea of buying a community lawnmower to keep local lawns looking nice, and to support local greenspace projects. They submitted a proposal to the council under the EBI scheme and it was approved by a focus group made up of local residents and local elected members.
Other EBI improvement projects have been identified during estate “walkabouts” by tenants, other estate residents, housing staff and local elected members.
Tours of North Muirton, Tulloch, Letham, all Perth, and Rattray, Pitlochry, Kinross and Comrie resulted in a number of projects, including better signage, improved fencing, new railings, community noticeboards, clearing overgrown bushes and shrubs, and more seating for open spaces and car park resurfacing.
The initiatives were supported by Regenforce Stepping Stones, an employability project run by the Salvation Army, to develop the skills of unemployed local people and help them get involved in projects.
Housing and health convener, Councillor Dave Doogan, said: “As a council we are committed to investing in our neighbourhoods to make sure they are welcoming and safe places.
“EBIs are a great chance for local communities to take a lead in projects to make use of disused land, and to come up with ideas on how to improve neighbourhoods, or improve existing buildings, all of which make such a difference to local communities.”
To become involved in EBI discussions contact Judy Barrow on JCBarrow@pkc.gov.uk.
