Council Town Centre Fund – Capital Grant 2019/20

Application form

• Please refer to the guidance notes set out in appendix 1 when completing this form • No project should start or commit expenditure before receiving the approval of grant • All projects MUST be either delivered or committed by 31 March 2020.

1. Applicant Organisation Details

Organisation Name Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council

Project title Tourist Information Centre in Burgh Halls

Contact person Gordon Smith

Position Chair Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council

Address 18 Highfield Crescent Linlithgow EH49 7BG

Telephone number 01506 844628 or 07769897865

Email Address [email protected]

Type of organisation Community Council as defined by statute under Local (public sector, Government (Scotland ) Act 1973, Section 51(2), Voluntary Organisation representatives are all volunteers etc)

What are the main activities of your To express the views of the community to the Local Authorities organisation? and other public bodies on any matter that may impact on the town of Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge and ensure necessary (please answer in no follow up with said authorities. more than 100 words)

For voluntary or charity Voluntary applicants What date was your Amalgamated two Community Councils in 2011 organisation formed? If a charity, please quote your charity number Do you have an equal opportunities policy or statement? No If yes please provide a copy (In development)

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Does your organisation take account of equality issues around Yes age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief?

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2. Project details

Council Ward Linlithgow

Project location Linlithgow Burgh Halls

Project start date As soon as possible after award

Project finish date No later than 31st March 2020

Project description Describe fully the project for which grant is being sought (background and context of the project, description of works).

In 2015 following a consultation with the Linlithgow Community the Planning Forum identified the loss of the Tourist Information Centre as a serious loss to the Town as it was an excellent attraction being based in the basement of the Burgh Halls.

The purpose of this project is to resurrect the Tourist Information Centre based on the entrance desk in the converted Burgh Halls as the desk is not currently used by the incumbents working within the Burgh Halls The management of the Burgh Halls have welcomed our proposals and it is envisaged that good working harmony with the West Lothian staff will be paramount.

Staff training for the volunteers that will man the centre will be provided by Visit west Lothian in the first instance.

The digital capabilities will be enhanced and a touch screen for information will be available when the centre is unmanned.

A display rack for leaflets will be required as well as an information board in the Kirk Gate pointing into the Burgh Halls advertising Tourist Information, Burgh Halls Gallery, Burgh Halls Café and public toilets.

The wall displays setting out Linlithgow’s history will be retained if possible

It is envisaged the Tourist Centre will work in conjunction with the Burgh Trust, Community Development Trust, Pride & Passion, Transition Linlithgow, and Ione Linlithgow BID. We will ensure that any enquiries are signposted to staff in the new Partnership Centre

In addition, we expect to work closely with Visit West Lothian to promote West Lothian as a whole. Current Burgh Halls insurance, and security will cover public liability, health and safety and risk assessment

Other outlets in the town currently have to answer questions from tourists which is not necessarily part of their remit so a central point armed with as much information as possible will help deflect tourists to the Burgh Halls and increase footfall there

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Evidence of need What evidence is there that your project is needed? It is vital that you show that you have identified the need for your project, eg letters of support, or local survey, see guidance for examples of how you can evidence this.

Evidence is set out in Linlithgow for the Future version 1 2015 -30 the need being strongly felt then as it is today

Linlithgow attracts thousands of visitors per year and at the moment they do not have a central point to speak to someone and find out more about the town. Linlithgow Palace is a major attraction for tourists with “Outlander” and “The Outlaw King” adding to the numbers who visit due to the actual history of the venue.

By siting the Tourist Information Centre in the Burgh Halls and using strong signage at the entrance on Kirkgate, we believe that we could effectively encourage visitors to explore more of Linlithgow attractions such as Linlithgow Museum and the Canal centre as well as West Lothian as a whole.

The volunteers in the Tourist Centre would be in a position to help direct coach drivers to the appropriate parking bays on Blackness Road, helping to alleviate the congestion on the Cross.

Outcomes Describe what your project will deliver in line with the funding outcomes in appendix 1.

Town Centre Living / Vibrant Local Economies /Enterprising Communities / Accessible Public Services / Digital Towns /Proactive Planning

The resurrection of the Tourist Centre will right in the centre of town, properly advertised will attract people to ask what is available for sightseeing, hotels, transport, etc and have it all in one place and aligns well with the funding outcome at Appendix 1

Town Centre Living – increase footfall and attraction to shopping in the town as well as encourage local people to see what the town has to offer

Tourists – The Palace, St Michael’s Church, Rose Garden, Museum are the big attractions for tourists and well trained and knowledgeable staff enhanced with discussion with local historian Bruce Jamieson can improve these attractions.

MyLinlithgow is an excellent tool and will be open for all in the centre but having real people there is for a town like Linlithgow, which wants to promote tourism much more than we do at present, it needs the personal touch.

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Partners involved Linlithgow Community Development Trust (other local Linlithgow Burgh Trust organisations you are Linlithgow Pride and Passion working with) Transition Linlithgow Linlithgow Burgh Halls and Partnership Centre Visit West Lothian 3. Project Costs

Total Project cost £3500.00

Amount of funding requested from the Town £3500.00 Centre Fund (TCF)

Item of expenditure Total Cost Cost (TCF) 2 Inspiron Laptops £1000 £1000 1 22” touch screen £750 £750 Screen mounting £300 £300 Provision for signage £1100 £1100 Uniforms £350 £350

If the total cost is greater than the fund applied for please detail where the match funding is from (i.e. WLC, Lottery etc.)

Please confirm whether it is approved and in place or the date that you expect this to be confirmed.

Funding source (i.e. Lottery, WLC) Approved and in Date to be place confirmed

Project management Describe how your project will be managed and administered including details of any: - Design / plans - Implementation arrangements e.g contract/tenders

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- Planning Approval - Health and Safety/Risk Assessments - Public Liability It is important that all applicants are able to evidence the above as part of their project.

The project will be managed by a small team centred on our very successful planning forum Although this a capital project it is recognised that the centre needs to be manned and we believe there exists sufficient enthusiasm in the town to do just that.

Attachment checklist - For voluntary organisations Please Indicate (x) please supply Constitution or Articles and Memorandum Community Council Constitution and Standing orders Committee Members or Directors List Gordon Smith et al

Bank Statements - dated within the last 3 months Treasurer Ian Kelly

Annual accounts

4. Declaration

We wish to apply for a Town Centre Fund – Capital Grant 2019/20. The above is an accurate outline of the proposed project. We have read and understood the guidance notes for applicants and agree to the conditions therein. We understand that the grant may be modified or withdrawn, if all the conditions are not adhered to. We are willing to co- operate in the monitoring of the grant scheme and to meet with their representatives if required to do so. We will acknowledge the support of the Fund in any related PR activities.

Name Gordon Smith

Position Chair

Organisation Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council

Date 30th August 2019 Please send your completed forms to:

The Regeneration Team: [email protected]

For admin related queries contact:

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Gemma Telfer, Administrative Assistant Community Regeneration Economic Development and Regeneration West Lothian Council 1st Floor South West Lothian Civic Centre Howden South Road Livingston EH54 6FF

Tel: 01506 281692 E-mail: [email protected]

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Appendix 1

Town Centre Fund – Capital Grant 2019/20 – Background and Guidance

1. Background

In February 2019 the Scottish Government announced, as part of their budget settlement within the local authority capital settlement, a new ring fenced capital fund of £50 million for a Town Centre Fund for 2019/20. The allocation of this fund was based on the Scotland’s Town Partnership working definition of a town being a place with a population of 1,000 or more, which equates to 484 towns across Scotland, 23 for West Lothian. This resulted in an allocation of £1.826 million to West Lothian.

The purpose of the grant is to enable local authorities to stimulate and support placed based economic investments which encourage town centres to diversify and flourish, creating footfall through local improvements and partnerships. Specifically, this fund aims to contribute to transformative investments which drive local economic activities and re- purpose town centres to become more diverse, successful and sustainable.

In particular, the grant should fund a wide range of investments which deliver against the themes of the Town Centre Action Plan including town centre living and supporting town centres to be vibrant, accessible and enterprising places. This could include re-purposing buildings for housing, retail, business, social and community enterprise, services, leisure, and culture, tourism and heritage; and, improving access and infrastructure.

Investment decisions should be made in the context of national and local commitments to town centres including:

• Town Centre First Principle and Town Centre Action Plan link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/town-centre-action-plan-scottish- government-response/

• Place Principle: https://www.gov.scot/publications/place-principle-introduction/

• Scotland’s Towns Partnership: https://www.scotlandstowns.org/

Tools • Understanding Scottish Places: https://www.usp.scot/

• USP your Town Audit https://www.usp.scot/StaticPage/UspAudit

• Place Standard: https://www.scotlandstowns.org/place_standard

• Town Centre Toolkit: https://www.scotlandstowns.org/town_centre_toolkit

These are effectively tools that help communities carry out an audit of a given town centre. Aspects of this have been used in some of the given the time constraints there would be limited scope to utilise but you should find these useful for background.

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2. Town Centre Action Plan

The Town Centre Action Plan published in 2013 was the Scottish Government’s response to the National Town Centre Review. It focused on national and local solutions, encouraging action across public, private and community sectors. The Scottish Government and local government subsequently agreed the Town Centre First Principle which requested that government, local authorities, the wider public sector, businesses and communities put the health of town centres at the heart of proportionate and best value decision making, seeking to deliver the best local outcomes regarding investment and de- investment decisions, alignment of policies, targeting of available resources to priority town centre sites, and encouraging vibrancy, equality and diversity. It committed to a collaborative approach which understands and underpins the long term plan for each town centre.

The aim of the fund is to deliver against the themes of the Town Centre Action Plan. Those themes include:

• Town Centre Living – footfall is key to achieving thriving, successful towns centre; and, the best footfall is residential for people who will use shops, services, and will care for its safety and security in the evenings • Vibrant Local Economies – creating a supportive business environment including the involvement of Town centre Management Groups Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and other local partnerships • Enterprising Communities – social enterprise, services, arts and events; and, community empowerment and community based activities which increase the health, wealth and wellbeing of town centres • Accessible Public Services – creating and accessing public facilities and services, supported by economic, service and transport hubs • Digital Towns – exploiting digital technology and promoting Wi-Fi infrastructure to enable access to information, data analytics, marketing opportunities, branding, and communication with the wider world • Proactive Planning – land reform and supporting the creation of sustainable, low- carbon and connected places which promote natural and cultural assets, designed in partnership with local communities and key stakeholders.

3. Conditions of the Grant

The grant is exclusively for capital expenditure which is additional to that which is already or would otherwise be allocated to the council’s 2019/20 capital budget, and should not substitute existing spend.

The grant may also be used to fund third party capital expenditure in the current year. The grant must be used in the financial year 2019/20 and it is required that work will be completed, or at least work or contracts signed or commenced in 2019/20.

The allocations of the grant to each local authority was undertaken using an equal weighting of number of towns and populations living in towns i.e. 50% of funding based on number of towns and 50% based on the population living in towns.

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Allocation of the Grant in West Lothian

The allocation to communities in West Lothian is based on the same approach used to distribute the Scottish wide funding to each local authority area. As such the grant is available to each community with 1,000 people or more, 50% of funding based on the number of towns (i.e. an equal split) and 50% based on the population. The allocation to the 23 communities was agreed by the Council Executive on 11 June (https://coins.westlothian.gov.uk/coins/viewDoc.asp?c=e%97%9Dh%8Ep%7F%8D). The allocation is set out below.

Ward Settlement Allocation £ Total Allocation £

Linlithgow Linlithgow 111,593 111,593

Broxburn, Uphall & Broxburn 96,656 Winchburgh

Uphall 64,207

Winchburgh 59,409 220,272

Livingston North 48,432

Carmondean 30,495

Deans 24,974

Knightsridge 23,269

Livingston Village / 11,340 138,510 Kirkton

Livingston South 40,156

Murieston/Bankton 31,350

Ladywell 29.634

Howden 20,579

Bellsquarry/Adambrae 13,596

Livingston Village / 6,106 141,421 Kirkton

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Livingston East & 41,625 East Calder

East Calder 69,609

Mid Calder 57,307

Kirknewton 53,418

Uphall Station 45,542

Pumpherston 48,609 316,110

Fauldhouse & Fauldhouse 64,811 Breich Valley

West Calder 56,279

Polbeth 51,884

Addiewell & Loganlea 50,283

Stoneyburn 50,236 273,493

Whitburn & Whitburn 100,969 Blackburn

Blackburn 69,826

Seafield 46,890

Greenrigg 45,506

East Whitburn 46,940 310,131

Bathgate 161,674 161,674

Armadale & Armadale 102,084 Blackridge

Blackridge 50,712 152,796

1,826,000

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4. Support in developing applications

Due to the tight timescales to spend the allocation, the Economic Development and Regeneration team will use the current networks, including Town Centre Management Groups, Community Council’s and links to communities used to develop the allocation of the Village Improvements Fund and Locality Regeneration Planning to identify projects, as well as wider publicity to encourage applications.

Advice and support with applications in the first instance is Ward based so please contact:

Ward 1, Linlithgow Stewart Ness, Linlithgow Town Centre Officer, 01506 283240 [email protected]

Ward 2, Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh Stewart Ness, Broxburn and Uphall Town Centre Officer, 01506 283240 [email protected]

For Winchburgh contact Douglas Grierson, Regeneration Team Leader (Interim), 01506 281088, [email protected] Ward 3, Scott McKillop, Community Regeneration Officer, 01506 281092, [email protected]

Ward 4, Lesley Keirnan, Community Regeneration Officer, 01506 281087, [email protected].

Ward 5, East Livingston and East Calder Lesley Keirnan, Community Regeneration Officer, 01506 281087, [email protected] .

Ward 6, Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley Douglas Benson, Community Regeneration Officer, 07769877145, [email protected]

Ward 7, Whitburn and Blackburn Scott McKillop, Community Regeneration Officer, 01506 281092, [email protected] ;

Except for Blackburn where contact is Michelle Kirkbright, Community Regeneration Officer, 01506 283233, [email protected]

Ward 8, Bathgate Nairn Pearson, Bathgate BID and Town Centre Manager, 07917 263587, [email protected]

Ward 9, Armadale and Blackridge Michelle Kirkbright, Community Regeneration Officer, 01506 283233, [email protected]

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5. Decision making process and governance

Due to the tight timescale a deadline of 31st August 2019 has been set for all applications.

All applications will be considered by the relevant Local Area Committee. Any unallocated funding will be reported back to the Council Executive.

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