Two Co-Chairs have been appointed to help guide Sutherland's £19.6 million Pride in Place programme, giving local people a central role in shaping investment in their communities over the next 10 years.
The funding will help local people identify priorities, develop projects and create lasting improvements in their communities.
Frances Gunn MBE and Ian Ross OBE have been named Co-Chairs for the Pride in Place programme in North, West and East Sutherland. Both bring a wealth of experience in community development, governance and partnership working across the area. The appointments mark an important step in delivering the Pride in Place programme, which aims to put local people at the centre of decisions about the future of their communities.
Chair of The Highland Council's Economy & Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: "The Pride in Place programme puts local people at the heart of decision-making and this funding is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Sutherland to be involved in shaping projects that will make a real difference to their communities.
"The Co-Chairs will play a vital role in championing their neighbourhood throughout the 10-year programme, ensuring that community voices help shape priorities and support the development of ambitious local plans that will drive regeneration and investment across Sutherland.”
Frances Gunn said, “The Pride in Place Programme is a unique opportunity for communities across Sutherland to influence how long-term investment is delivered, supporting projects that strengthen local communities, enhance quality of life and create lasting benefits for future generations.”
The Co-Chairs will take the lead in establishing a community-led Neighbourhood Board to help decide how the investment is used. This work will be supported by Highland Council as the accountable body for the programme. The Board will help bring communities together to identify local priorities and influence decisions on how Pride in Place funding is invested.
Next steps
A call for Board members to join the Neighbourhood Board will be launched in the next few weeks. Further information on the programme can be found at About the programme - UK Government Pride in Place Programme - Highland Council