Call for Eastfield residents to join panel to decide how £150,000 should be spent in community

A regeneration partnership – called the ‘Eastfield PACT’ - was established in early 2019 and a three year support package totalling £1.4m was approved by Scarborough Borough Council in the middle of last year.

The group of 20 residents will be asked to give up a few hours of their time to decide how money is invested in Eastfield as part of an initiative called ‘cash for causes’.

The £150,000 will be used to support multiple community regeneration projects, submitted by local groups and organisations, which fall into two categories – those under £500 and those over £500 in value.

Recruitment of the resident panel will begin next month and those interested in joining the grants panel should contact Billa Duggal for more information via [email protected]Since being created, the Eastfield PACT has been working to build relationships in the community, identify regeneration priorities and secure funding.

Work has continued in the background despite the coronavirus pandemic and six main themes have emerged with input from the local community; place, people, ‘aspiration’, employment, community hubs and community grants.

The £1.4m support package is being distributed in line with these themes - via six PACT groups, which are made up of a mix of local residents and partner organisations.

Work will begin soon to improve the look and feel of the High Street in Eastfield, including better connectivity to Westway, a better layout and new street furniture.

Other people-focused activity being considered includes the creation of luncheon clubs; a community café and a community fridge; improved walking and cycling routes; a bike library; outdoor exercise trail and a physical activity hub.

A dedicated ‘MORE for Eastfield’ team, representing organisations with a track record for supporting individuals and families, is also now in place for the next 18 months.

The team will provide support and assistance to individuals to overcome barriers, improve skills and gain access to education, training, volunteering and work opportunities.

Cllr Liz Colling, Scarborough Borough Council cabinet member with responsibility for inclusive growth, said: “The PACT will transform Eastfield and best of all, it is being led by the local community.

“Essential to its success is having both residents and partners on board and there is still further scope for people to be more involved in this work.

“That’s why we’re are appealing for residents to join this new grants panel. They will have direct influence over where money is spent.”

Cllr Tony Randerson, Scarborough Borough Council cabinet member with responsibility for neighbourhoods, and ward councillor for Eastfield, said: “The Eastfield PACT is a fantastic example of a community-led regeneration programme.

“To build on what has been achieved so far I’d like to have more residents at the heart of this exciting new era of positive change.

“They can join one of the various working groups or simply be a key resident contact who can help us communicate the regeneration activity happening in their community.”