Funding for projects in East Renfrewshire

They include CCTV in Cowan Park, Barrhead, lighting in Newton Mearns and Eaglesham and a statue of Thomas Donohoe, believed to have organised the first football match in Brazil, in Busby.

The money will come from the Town Centre Fund, initially launched by the Scottish Government and COSLA last year.

It saw £50m shared between the 32 local authorities, with money “intended to contribute to transformative investments”.

The fund was set up to support local economies and employment and make town centres “more diverse, successful and sustainable”.

East Renfrewshire Council initially received £981,000, with projects approved at a meeting in November last year.

It has now been awarded a further £353,000 to develop projects which contribute to economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.

An underspend of around £122,000 from last year’s allocation, as work on one project is being financed through a separate funding stream, can also be used on new schemes.

A council report states: “The Town Centre Capital Fund programme provides an excellent opportunity to deliver further investment to key areas of East Renfrewshire and complement/build upon the range of proposals already approved.”

There has been £80,000 allocated to a campaign to encourage people to shop locally as part of efforts to boost economic recovery in the area.

CCTV could be installed in Cowan Park to improve the safety of the park and encourage residents to be outdoors. The project would receive £20,000.

There would be £100,000 for town centre lighting in Newton Mearns and £85,000 for Eaglesham. These schemes are being planned to “improve the vibrancy” of town centres and improve safety.

Regeneration initiatives in Neilston are set to receive £100,000 and £70,000 has been allocated for the painting and installation of toilets and a new heating system at Busby Library to celebrate the building’s centenary

There are plans to spend £15,000 on a memorial to Thomas Donohoe in Busby. Menorah lighting could be installed in Clarkston at a cost of £5000.

Cabinet members will be asked to approve the funding awards at a meeting on Thursday.

Stakeholders within East Renfrewshire town and neighbourhood centres were asked to propose ideas.

The chosen projects will need to begin, or have contracts signed, by the end of March next year.