AFTER months of uncertainty, it has been confirmed that Dunfermline’s £5 million Levelling Up grant has been cancelled by the UK Government and the funds will not be available for Scotland’s newest city.
The announcement sparked an immediate reaction with Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, who represents Dunfermline for the SNP, stating: “This decision is deeply disappointing and a clear betrayal of our city.”
The money was originally promised by the former Conservative government at Westminster in the spring. The cash boost was awarded to the city through the UK’s Levelling Up fund, which aimed to help regenerate town and city centres and high streets.
The cash was intended to renovate St Margaret’s House into a new cultural space; repair and restore the city’s B-listed Fire Station Creative building; turn Tower House into an improved cultural space; and create a new amphitheatre for outdoor performances at the Dunfermline Learning Campus.
Local MSPs and councillors have long anticipated that the money would be withdrawn by the current Labour Government – leaving the four community projects in a lurch. However, the decision this week has nonetheless caused backlash.
“Furious” senior councillor James Calder (Lib-Dem for Dunfermline South) emphasised that the funding would have had a “transformative impact” on Dunfermline.
“This is a betrayal for the people of Dunfermline,” he said. “We were promised this funding which would have played a central plank in our cultural ambitions as Scotland’s newest city.”
He added: “The Labour Government clearly are taking Dunfermline for granted and I am furious that they are doing so.”
