UK Government to invest Pride in Place funding in the east of the city

After a process undertaken over the last two months, the UK Government has announced that it will award £20 million funding to Bingham, Magdalene, The Christians and Niddrie.

The Pride in Place funding of £292 million was announced in September for the whole of Scotland, inviting areas – and MPs – to submit applications for the monies.

The funding programme will share £280 million among 12 councils for town centres and high streets to preserve heritage and improve safety and security. Edinburgh will receive up to £20 million from this fund to spend in the four areas of Bingham, Magdalene, The Christians and Niddrie.

A further award – the Pride in Place Impact Fund of £12 million – will be shared among councils, providing £1.5 million to each to provide new green spaces, play areas and town centres. In all 14 neighbourhoods in Scotland will benefit from the monies intended to “restore pride in their area and open doors to new opportunities”.

The Scotland Office say that the local authority areas which have been chosen have the weakest social infrastructure and highest deprivation levels. They invited evidence from the local authorities, MPs and MSPs, The Scottish Government and community organisations.

The £20 million spend will be spread over 10 years.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The UK Government is backing 14 of Scotland’s most in need communities with £280 million investment – part of a £2 billion package to uphold pride in communities and create opportunities the length and breadth of the nation. Over decades of decline, people have watched as their neighbourhoods have lost services and support, so now we are putting the power into the hands of local people who can decide how the money is spent. We’re investing directly in Scottish communities to build stronger, thriving neighbourhoods.”

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “The government’s £20m investment over the next 10 years in Niddrie, Bingham, Magdalene and The Christians is wonderful news. The long-term certainty this brings is incredibly helpful for communities and partners alike. This is a vibrant and active community with a clear passion for shaping their own future, and this sustained funding will not only boost their hard work, it will directly give them a voice in deciding how the money is invested over the next decade. It’s an approach we are keen to learn from.

“The announcement strongly aligns with the council’s commitment to put support at the heart of our communities where people need it most. Our city-wide poverty prevention programme, including our neighbourhood prevention partnership, is focused on tackling inequalities and improving access to help. 

“We look forward to working closely with the local community to establish a neighbourhood board, and to work with them over the coming years to ensure every pound is invested in line with the needs, priorities and ambitions of their community.”

Chris Murray, MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, said: “This is fantastic news for the amazing communities of Bingham, Magdalene, The Christians and Niddrie. It really cannot be overstated just how impactful £20 million pounds will be for these four communities.

“Through my Pride in Place survey this year, time and again residents reported a sense that their community was ignored and overlooked. They have seen community spaces close, parks in disrepair and a loss of pride in their community. This announcement is not only an injection of much needed cash, but a clear statement that the Labour Government backs local people and will give them the resources they need to restore pride in their community”.

Donald Anderson, former Council Leader and Chair of the East Synergy Group, a board made up of local community groups in the wider Craigmillar area, said:“This area obviously has its challenges like any community, but there’s a huge amount to be positive about. Everyone in the neighbourhood is determined to make the area one of the best places to live in Scotland and Pride in Place funding will be a huge contribution to improving the lives of people in the area”. 

The next stage of this process is to set up and establish a Neighbourhood Board, tasked with identifying opportunities for the funding and managing the delivery of those chosen projects.  

An independent chair will be chosen, and the Board will consist of The City of Edinburgh Council, Chris Murray MP, and local stakeholders.

Mr Murray stressed that the board will be important. He said: “It is imperative that the use of these funds is decided by local residents who live and work in the community and have the deepest insight into the challenges the area faces, and the ideas of how to improve the community. As a member of the Board I will ensure local people are the leading voice, and every penny delivers for the wonderful communities of Bingham, Magdalene, The Christians and Niddrie.”