Keith Brown MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency spoke today in the Scottish Parliament in a motion commending the CashBack for Communities programme and welcomed the CashBack for Communities support that has provided well over a million pounds worth of funding to community projects across his constituency. Speaking afterwards, Keith said:

“Cashback for Communities is a programme unique to Scotland and now in its 15th year and sixth phase. It takes money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act and invests it into projects delivering positive futures for young people across Scotland.

“Since 2008, over £90 million has been spent on over 2 million projects across Scotland, including £1,340,054 in Clackmannanshire and almost £2 million across the whole of the Stirling Council area, some of which will have benefited my constituents in Dunblane and Bridge of Allan.

“In my speech in Parliament today, I commended some of the really good work that money has been able to do in my constituency and highlighted the underlying rationale behind the CashBack for Communities programme.

“CashBack funding has supported organisations like Play Alloa and Lornshill Academy’s School of Football.  CashBack for Communities has also worked closely with local groups, delivering homelessness awareness projects, art sessions, sessions on alcohol and drugs awareness, and anti-vandalism projects. 

“Last year, I opened one of Cashback for Communities outreach events at Hawkhill Community Association in Alloa. This was a celebration of what CashBack offers our young people – an opportunity to come together, and to learn from each other in a young person led environment.

“These projects make a real difference to the lives of young people across my Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency, and I warmly welcome the commitment given by our SNP Government that this will continue until at least 2026.

“Of course, Clackmannanshire – and Dunblane and Bridge of Allan – could always benefit from further support from the programme to address local challenges.  I know that Anthea Coulter, the Chief Officer of Clackmannanshire’s Third Sector Interface, often makes that case, so I look forward to the Minister’s response to my seeking a meeting to discuss our local context.

“The success that CashBack for communities has had in achieving its dual goals of financial investment in our communities, and preventing crime before it happens, is achieved in the face of significant challenges resulting from fourteen years of Westminster austerity.”