Fairer Communities for All
Perth and Kinross Council · 11 June 2025
Back to Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee — 11 June 2025 and its agenda
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee Date of Meeting: 11 June 2025 Report Title: Fairer Communities for All Report Number: 25/160 Report Author: Karen Evans, Team Leader, Community Learning and Development Organisational Lead: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead, Housing and Communities. ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this Report is to seek approval on proposed changes to the delivery of the Community Investment Fund (CIF) and Participatory Budgeting (PB) funding 2025/26. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendation(s) 3. Background/Context 4. Main Issues 5. Proposals 6. Conclusion 7. Impact Value Assessment 8. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee: 2.1 Approves an amalgamation of PB and CIF funding in communities with the highest socio-economic need. 2.2 Approves a single application and assessment process incorporating CIF and PB Fund under the title ‘Fairer Communities for All.’
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2.3 Approves the proposals for a new decision-making process for CIF. 2.4 Approves the proposals for the geographical funding allocation for 2025/26 based on identified needs. 3. Background/Context 3.1 The Community Investment Fund was established in 2018/19 with two main goals: Involve local people and communities in decisions about how Council funding is distributed. Support investment in projects which tackle local inequalities and improve quality of life. 3.2 Council allocated a further £200,000 for 2025/26. 3.3 Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a process through which residents of a community of place have the opportunity to decide how public money is invested within their own communities. 3.4 Following two successful rounds of Small Grants PB in 2017 and 2018, further funding was allocated to PB over the last two financial years. 2016/17 and 2017/18 – £320,000 delivered in conjunction with Health and Social Care Partnership across Perth and Kinross. 2023/24 Green Living Fund - £220,000 which was Perth and Kinross wide. 2024/25 Locality PB Fund - £100,000 which focussed on the communities of highest socio-economic need – South Crieff, Coupar Angus, Rattray, Meigle, Perth City and Perth City North 3.5 Council allocated a further £100,000 for locality PB in 2025/26. 4. Main Issues 4.1 Community groups have become familiar with the CIF process, resulting in a recurring pattern where the same groups receive funding year after year. This situation poses a challenge for community groups, as they must continually reinvent or create new projects to secure funding. 4.2 The allocation of CIF funding has historically been managed by ward panels, consisting of local elected members and community representatives. However, it has proven challenging for these panels to represent a diverse cross-section of their local community and to involve new groups. Despite the best efforts of elected members and council officers, some ward panels have met and allocated funding with only a few attendees. Additionally, some community representatives often have a vested interest in certain applications, necessitating their recusal from decision-making.
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4.3 The current set up of two separate funds (PB and CIF) and two distinct processes (ward panels and public voting), despite having similar criteria focused on costing of living and inequalities, has been confusing for groups and creates additional work for officers. Feedback from community groups has indicated a preference for a simplified process that allows for better forward planning and a more strategic approach to grant funding. 4.4 Community groups are best positioned to understand the issues and needs within their communities and the most effective ways to address them. This new process, starting with an initial engagement phase, will enable groups to identify needs upfront, providing evidence base alongside PowerBi data. 5 Proposal 5.1 The 2025/26 revenue budget allocated £200,000 to CIF and £100,000 to PB Fund. 5.2 The proposal would be to amalgamate the CIF and PB funds, with the £100,000 being used to supplement funding in areas of highest need. Any current CIF underspends would be combined and redistributed equally to these areas unless an underspend already exists. The proposed breakdown of the funding is as follows: Ward Population (Census 22) Per Capita Allocation CIF 2025/26 2024/25 CIF underspend top up PB Funding additional allocation based on need Total 1 – Carse of Gowrie 9916 £13,137.69 £0 £0 £13,137.69 2 - Strathmore 15,458 £20,480.28 £11,814 £20,000 £59,294.28 3 – Blairgowrie & Glens 11,248 £14,902.45 £11,814 £20,000 £46,716.45 4 - Highland 8927 £11,827.37 £0 £0 £11,827.37 5 - Strathtay 12,302 £16,298.90 £0 £0 £16,298.90 6 - Strathearn 10,419 £13,804.11 £11,814 £20,000 £45,618.11 7 - Strathallan 11,727 £15,537.08 £0 £0 £15,537.08 8 – Kinross- shire 14,119 £18,706.24 £0 £0 £18,706.24 9 – Almond & Earn 10,162 £13,463.61 £0 £0 £13,463.61 10 – Perth City South 16,641 £11,047.63 £0 £0 £11,047.63 11 – Perth City North 12,379 £16,400.91 £0 £20,000 £36,400.91 12 – Perth City Centre 17,657 £33,393.73 £11,814 £20,000 £65,207.73
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5.3 It is recommended that the CIF and PB funds be rebranded under a single umbrella as the Fairer Communities for All. This rebranding reflects the changes in the fund’s process, links to the focused work with localities and encourages innovative thinking and development in communities. 5.4 It is recommended that the entire funding delivery process be revised as outlined in the flowchart in (Appendix 8.1). The process enables: Greater engagement with residents and organisations to identify priority needs in communities, particularly in relation to tackling poverty and inequalities. Elected members and council officers to screen the feasibility of the application and ensure it meets the fund criteria while cross referencing with existing community and public service provision to avoid duplication and to establish if external funding could also be used to fund the project. Local community groups to meet to determine what can be delivered and by whom to address the identified needs. Project proposals to go to a public vote unless alternative funding can be identified externally. Unsuccessful projects to be offered support to explore alternative funding. Collaboration in communities and supports the approach of tackling ‘local issues with local solutions,’ a tried and tested method through the allocation of the Warm Welcome funding. 5.5 Consultation will be conducted over an 8-week period through face-to-face engagement in communities and the use of an online form to maximise responses. Residents of all ages across Perth & Kinross will be given a menu of priorities and the option to add anything not already considered. This will be themed under the following corporate priorities to gather ideas on projects that would address these priorities: 1. Working in partnership with Communities 2. Tackling Poverty 3. Developing a resilient, stronger and greener local economy 5.6 Screening for feasibility and affordability will be carried out over a 3-week period by elected members and council officers on a ward basis. 5.7 Final proposals will be published online, and residents will be encouraged to cast 5 votes for their favoured projects. Microsoft Form, with enhanced security, will be used as the voting method to remove barriers associated with signing up to voting portals. Pop-up voting events will also take place in all ward areas to assist with digital access and ensure inclusivity. 5.8 Projects proposed as part of the Green Living Fund will also be voted on at the same time as those under the Fairer Communities for All.
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This ensures residents participate in a single voting process while deciding on multiple funding streams. A marketing strategy and key messaging will be developed to clearly communicate the different funding streams and their related priorities to residents. 5.9 The proposed timeline for the delivery of the revised funding process for 2025/26 would be: • Engagement: Mon 16th June – Fri 8th August • Screening: Mon 11th August – Friday 29th August • Collaboration Meetings: Mon 1st Sept – Fri 12th Sept • Submission of applications: Mon 15th Sept – Fri 3rd Oct • Voting opens: Mon 27th Oct – Fri 14th Nov • Final validation of votes: Mon 17th Nov – Fri 21st Nov • Results events: Between Mon 24th Nov and Sat 29th Nov • Payments made to successful projects w/b 1st Dec 6. Conclusion 6.1 The amalgamation of the funds will establish a single funding stream across all areas of Perth & Kinross branded as the Fairer Communities for All. 6.2 The consolidation will empower resident with greater decision-making powers throughout the whole process, enabling them to develop local solutions to local issues. 6.3 Additionally, the amalgamation of funds will streamline the process for community groups and significantly reduce the administrative burden on officer. This will enable officers to redirect their efforts towards collaborating with groups and achieving the best possible outcomes for the residents of Perth and Kinross. 7. Impact and Value Assessment https://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/54067/Fairer-Communities-For- All/pdf/Fairer_Communities_For_All.pdf?m=1748339830057 8. Appendices 8.1 Appendix 1 - Proposed delivery model
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