Villages in the Fauldhouse and Breich Valley council ward are winners from a controversial funding package from the Scottish Government .
The Local Area Committee heard this month that communities in the ward will be awarded £273,000 between five communities from the Government’s Capital Grants fund.
The fund awards towns- defined as any place which has more than 1,000 residents- with money to improve the area through capital investment. This can be five individual projects or one.
The money, while welcome, is controversial because of the way it is distributed.
Smaller towns and villages end up with more cash per head of population.
It means some areas such as Bathgate are getting relatively small amounts compared to their populations.
Other places, especially in Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley are more obvious beneficiaries.
Across West Lothian more than £1.8 million has been awarded through the scheme.
Councillor Cathy Muldoon told the LAC that proposals would come back to the September meeting of the committee but added that communities could come up with ideas for spending.
The capital grant has been allocated as:
- Fauldhouse £64,811
- Stoneyburn £50,236
- West Calder £56,279
- Polbeth £51,884
-
Addiewell and Loganlea £50,283
The closing date for applications is August 31.
Local groups have been contacted and will be supported with applications to be presented to the Fauldhouse and Breich Valley Local Area Committee for agreement.
The council has already established its own regeneration programmes in the area and steering groups have been formed in villages to look at projects to bring improvements.
A full-time regeneration officer was appointed earlier this year to work community groups.
