West Lothian villagers have won more funding to help develop a new community hub
Greenrigg, on the western fringe of West Lothian has just over 1,000 residents. The community council is in the process of creating a new Community Hub in a wing of the village primary school as a venue for villagers to use for get-togethers and it will also allow council services to expand in the village.
The village has received more than £11,000 for community improvements from the latest round of Placed Based Investments funding - including new village signs defining the community boundary and representing its mining history. And it has received an extra £400 for the Hub fund.
READ MORE: West Lothian community councils could split after only a year together
The Holyrood national scheme is not without its critics, but in allocating money to all communities of 1,000 or more it has ensured that the smallest villages are not missed out when it comes to spending on physical environmental improvements.
Peter Kain, the chair of the community council said: “The community wing was not being utilised in the way it should have been over the years. The community council has been instrumental in giving it a new lease of life.
"We have renamed it as the Greenrigg Community Hub. We’ve held a few meetings, and it’s progressing. I think it can be a good thing for the community”
A new management committee has been set up to run the hub, which can operate independently of the primary school building, with a separate entrance offering flexible community space for villagers in three different areas including the school’s gym.
Local councillor Kirsteen Sullivan welcomed the input by the community council and the development of a much needed meeting point for villagers who otherwise have to travel into Whitburn.
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It’s really to try bring it to the attention of the community that there is a new community hub for the village. When the hub is up and running we’ll be able to have more outreach services from the council. So we are looking at a library service.
"Hopefully we’ll also have space for the Advice shop. Otherwise people are expected to go to Whitburn. The village really is at the edge of West Lothian. It’s nice to get a bit of focus on the village.”
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