Council set to back People's Project

Oct 10 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

THE PEOPLE’S Project could be set to take the lead in regenerating Dumfries town centre.

Council bosses have indicated a willingness to get on board the Standard-backed scheme – and turn it into an independent Development Trust.

That could see the People’s Project given the power to haul investment into the town and given the help of both public and private organisations.

Councillors will be given the latest update on town centre regeneration at a planning committee on Tuesday which presents £346,000 of environmental improvements.

And members will be asked to decide if the development trust is the right way forward.

In a report, planning and environment director, Peter Bulmer, said: “The organisation and other stakeholders acknowledged that the People’s Project could become a Development Trust, but it was also acknowledged that in establishing a trust, the organisation’s purpose and objectives would need clarity.

“It was also acknowledged that in all probability a development trust would look to the council for start-up funding and potentially ongoing support either financial or in kind, eg, premises or officer support.

“There are a considerable number of groups involved with an interest in the regeneration of Dumfries town centre and it is suggested that a stakeholder group should continue in operation to act as a sounding board for projects and regeneration proposals.”

Councillors will be presented with a draft study of environmental maintenance issues in the town centre.

These include spending £25,000 on fixing dodgy paving slabs; £33,000 renewing paving at Burns Statue; £12,000 refurbishing the fountain in the High Street; £200,000 cleaning the banks of the River Nith; £35,000 replacing street furniture and signs and £33,000 replacing bins.

Other cash would also be spent cleaning the streets, patching up derelict buildings and giving grants to small traders to renovate shop fronts. The whole scheme is estimated at £346,420.

But Mr Bulmer admits in the report that the council does not, yet, have the budget to carry them out.

Proposals are also in place to erect signs around the perimeter of the town with the slogan: “Welcome to the University Town of Dumfries – Queen of the South.”

Yesterday, Labour councillors called the schemes “too little too late”.

Their Dumfries member, Colin Smyth said: “The council has a whole range of glossy documents containing plans for the regeneration of the Dock Park, a car parking strategy for the town and public realm improvements for the town centre.

“None of these are being taken forward, and now we have the humiliation of the council having to admit they are failing to turn their own plans into action.”