Scottish councils welcome £280m ‘Pride in Place’ funding

Spread across 12 local authorities, the areas will each benefit from up to £20m Pride in Place Programme funding to restore pride in their area and open doors to new opportunities.

The local authorities selected have both the highest deprivation levels and weakest social infrastructure. The Scotland Office invited evidence submissions from these local authorities, eligible MPs and constituency MSPs, the Scottish Government and wider community organisations as to which neighbourhoods should be chosen.

Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The UK Government is backing 14 of Scotland’s most in need communities with £280m investment - part of a £2 billion package to uphold pride in communities and create opportunities the length and breadth of the nation.

“Over decades of decline, people have watched as their neighbourhoods have lost services and support, so now we are putting the power into the hands of local people who can decide how the money is spent. We’re investing directly in Scottish communities to build stronger, thriving neighbourhoods.”

Secretary of State for housing, communities and local government Steve Reed said: “People across Scotland have been shut out from their own futures and felt powerless to make the changes they want to see in their communities. Pride in Place is fixing that and putting power back where it belongs - in the hands of the people who have the knowledge, ambition and vision to make a real difference.

“We’re backing 14 neighbourhoods across Scotland with up to £20m each, to put local people back in the driving seat to revitalise their communities and shape their futures.

Neighbourhood Boards, comprising representatives from the local community, will decide exactly what the investment will be spent on. These will now be established, with funding starting from April 2026.

Projects could include revitalising high streets and town centres, preserving local heritage, providing housing, creating jobs, boosting productivity and skills, improving health and well-being, creating new transport links, providing education and opportunity and improving safety and security. 

Pride in Place: Up to £20m each (£280m total)

• Aberdeen City -  North Locality Priority Neighbourhood / Cummings Park, Heathryfold and Middlefield, Northfield, Mastrick
• City of Edinburgh -  Bingham, Magdalene, The Christians and Niddrie
• Falkirk - The Forgotten Villages, Braes Villages and Hallglen
• Fife x2 - 1) West Fife Villages / Oakley Comrie and Blairhall, Valleyfield Culross and Torryburn, Kincardine, Saline and Gowkhall; and 2) Methil and Buckhaven
• Glasgow x2 - 1)  Springburn and Sighthill; and 2) Castlemilk
• Highland -  North, West and East Sutherland
• North Ayrshire - Three Towns (Ardrossan, Saltcoats, and Stevenston)
• North Lanarkshire -  Forgewood, North Motherwell and town centre
• South Ayrshire -  Northern Ayr and Town Centre Regeneration Corridor
• South Lanarkshire -  Hamilton Town Centre 
• Na h-Eileanan Siar - Stornoway and Lewis
• West Lothian -  Fauldhouse, Whitburn and Blackburn 

Council reactions

Fife Council leader David Ross has welcomed the funding announcement that will see Fife communities benefit to the tune of up to £40 million over the next ten years.

Communities benefiting are West Fife’s Villages - Oakley, Comrie and Blairhall, Valleyfield, Culross and Torryburn, Kincardine, Saline and Gowkhall.

Methil and Buckhaven will also benefit in central Fife. 

Councillor Ross said: “This is a hugely welcome investment in Fife’s future. The Pride in Place programme will empower our communities to shape the regeneration of their own neighbourhoods, ensuring that local voices are at the heart of decision-making.

“With up to £40 million coming to Fife, we have a real opportunity to revitalise our town centres, improve public spaces, and create lasting opportunities for residents. 

“I’d like to thank our local MPs for arguing Fife’s case with UK Government. We look forward to working closely with local groups and partners to deliver meaningful change that reflects the pride and potential of our communities.”  

Funding will be available from April next year.

Councillor Marie Burns, leader of North Ayrshire Council, added: “We are delighted to have received confirmation of the Three Towns Neighbourhood under the Pride In Place programme. We look forward to working with our communities and partners to co-create the Pride In Place Plan to identify how we can utilise these additional resources.

“North Ayrshire has a great track record of working in partnership with communities and organisations and we look forward to building on these relationships so we can make significant change that will benefit residents, businesses and the whole community.

“We are ambitious for the Three Towns and keen to deliver lasting change beyond this investment, building on the momentum of recent investments. We will work in partnership with the new Neighbourhood Board to focus the funding on interventions which will deliver for our communities.”

Councillor Jim Logue, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, welcomed the announcement: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Motherwell communities. The Pride in Place Programme will bring lasting benefits by empowering local people to shape the future of their neighbourhoods.

“It supports this council’s vision for vibrant, thriving towns and complements our current Local Outcome Improvement Plans.

“We look forward to working closely with residents and partners to ensure this funding delivers real change – improving spaces, boosting the local economy, and creating opportunities for everyone.”

Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner, said: “We have received confirmation from Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland that the North, West and East Sutherland Neighbourhood has been identified as the neighbourhood within Highland Council area to receive PiPP funding.

“I am very pleased to confirm that the North, West and East Sutherland Neighbourhood will receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next 10 years.”

South Lanarkshire Council leader Joe Fagan added: “This additional funding is hugely welcome. While we made the case for funding for a number of other parts of South Lanarkshire, there is no doubt this has the potential to make a real difference for all the communities that are served by Hamilton town centre. We will now work with those communities to ensure we get the best possible results.

“We already have very ambitious plans, funded through an initial £8 million of council money, in our Hamilton Town Centre Masterplan. This Pride in Place investment adds to our confidence that we can deliver a better future for Hamilton town centre and all our residents who live, work and shop in the Hamilton area.”