There is to be an exciting opportunity for people in Laurencekirk to have their say on how a pot of money is to be spent on older people’s groups in the town. Several older people’s groups have been invited to bid for funding to support their activities in a process known as participatory budgeting. Applicants will make a short presentation on how they would spend the money at an event on the Scottish Government’s Community Empowerment Act on 16th June in the Dickson Hall. People there will then vote on how they think the money should be allocated. Giving communities a greater say in how money is spent locally is part of the process of community empowerment.
The funding to be bid for on 16th June has been given by the Area Committee of Aberdeenshire Council. Whilst at £1000 it is a relatively small amount it will make a real difference to the groups involved. It will also show how participatory budgeting can work at a community level. Please do come along if you’d like to find out more and have your say on how the funding should be distributed. The participatory budgeting session starts after lunch at 12.45pm and anyone is welcome to come along – you don’t need to book a place. If you’d like to attend the morning workshops of the event as well booking is essential. Please contact Ed Garrett at Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action on 07410987124 or ed.garrett@avashire.org.uk for more information.
