Calling all North Ayrshire residents!
The voting stage of North Ayrshire Council’s Participatory Budgeting scheme is about to get under way, so don’t miss the chance to have a say on where the cash is spent in your area.
How does the PB voting process work exactly?
Voting is open across three categories: Localities, Youth and a new category for this year – the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (where community groups can team up together on an event, cause or project for the common).
North Ayrshire residents in the North Coast and Cumbrae, Arran, Irvine, Kilwinning, Three Towns and the Garnock Valley, will be able to vote from Friday 13 October when the vote is live on the voting website at noon. Voting will close at 5pm on Friday 10 November.
There will also be the opportunity to vote in Libraries across North Ayrshire if you are unable to vote online.
It’s now up to the people of North Ayrshire’s to decide which of the shortlisted projects most deserve to receive the funding.
Please note due to the number of applications received, there is no requirement to go to the vote in the Arran Locality. All successful will be funded and therefore a public vote will not be necessary in this area.
A word from Connected Communities…
Denise Fraser, Capacity and Empowerment Officer (and PB lead) said: “In the last PB funding round, those who took the time to vote helped make the dreams come true for almost 128 community projects who had their share of a £109,777,
“This time, we have a staggering 105 Youth PB and 133 – in Locality or UKSPF – applications from projects looking for their chance to secure their share of £198k.
“Our residents know better than anyone else which projects will be the most beneficial to them in their local communities, so it is only fair that they have the final say on how this money is spent.
“Participatory Budgeting really is an inspirational example of community empowerment in action, and it has already made such a massive difference to many local projects over the last few years.
“It has been fantastic to see so many local groups benefitting already, hopefully more people (like Davie’s featured in the Irvine Pipe Band PB case study video, will be able to benefit this time round too…
“So if you live in North Ayrshire, please take some time to vote as it really will make a massive difference in your local community. It’s your money, you decide!”
To find out more about North Ayrshire Council’s Participatory Budgeting schemes, visit www.northayrshire.community/get-involved/participatory-budgeting-in-north-ayrshire.
You can cast your votes NOW here online via the PB North Ayrshire website.
Denise Fraser, Capacity and Empowerment Officer (and PB lead) said: “ This round, we have a staggering 105 Youth PB and 133 – in Locality or UKSPF – applications from projects looking for their chance to secure their PB funding share.“Our residents know better than anyone else which projects will be the most beneficial to them in their local communities, so it is only fair that they have the final say on how this money is spent. So please, if you live in North Ayrshire, take the time to cast your vote NOW!”
North Ayrshire Council along with the Health and Social Care Partnership and the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund have provided a total of £198,377 funding as part of their ongoing community empowerment ambition to give local people a direct say in how money is spent.
The funding will be shared between projects throughout all of the six North Ayrshire and these will broadly cover the themes of:
- improving local life and wellbeing (with a focus on the Cost-of-Living crisis);
- linking up and connecting people in local communities;
- promoting positive mental health and wellbeing
- tackling climate challenge
- promoting healthy and active communities
If successful, applicants will have up to £1,000 allocated per project (Locality, Youth) and then up to £5,000 for UKSPF combined applications projects.
Irvine Pipe Band are a Dreghorn-based community group who benefitted in the last round of North Ayrshire Council’s Participatory Budgeting funding. With voting now open for the latest round, watch the video to be inspired by how much of a difference your vote could make if you cast yours here online via the PB North Ayrshire website.