On Wednesday 21 February 2024, the Girvan and South Carrick Locality Planning Partnership (LPP) held a Participatory Budgeting Event at the Carrick Opportunities Building in Girvan.
Members of the public were asked to decide on the allocation of funding based on the needs of their local community.
Seventeen local groups, who had bid for funding up to the value of £3000, were invited to meet with the local community as part of the event to showcase what they planned to do with the funding if successful.
Members of the public in attendance were encouraged to speak to all the groups and give each group a score from 1 to 5, which would then determine who was successful in receiving funding.
South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Health and Social Care, Councillor Lee Lyons said:
“The groups in attendance all deliver excellent services and support throughout Girvan and South Carrick and do amazing work within the community. Participatory Budgeting is about giving the choice to communities, giving them a chance to decide on what matters to them.”
“While we only have budget for so many groups as part of our Locality Planning Partnership each year, the opportunity to speak directly to communities is a fantastic way to raise awareness of some of the fantastic community groups available in the area.”
The event had a great atmosphere with over 200 people in attendance to cast their votes. Following the voting process, the successful groups receiving funding were:
Biosphere Bikes Community Hub and Shop
Carrick Resilience Team
Carrick Rugby Football Club
Crossroads
Girvan and District Attractions
Girvan Christmas Street Party
Girvan Community Garden
Girvan Community Sports Hub
Girvan Youth Football Club
Harbour Ayrshire
Stepping Stones for Families
Stumpy Corner Steering Group
Stewart Marshall, Senior Manager (Girvan and South Carrick), South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership added:
“Thank you to everyone who took part in our event and made the evening a success.”
“We look forward to hearing updates from all the groups who received funding and will be sharing news about the impact these funding applications have made in the local community.”
The funding allocated came from both the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Thriving Communities Team as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.