FIFE Council wants the public of the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area to play their part in making things really better in communities.

You can play your part in the process by voting for projects that will tap into quarter of a million pounds worth of investment that has been made available.

The £250,000 has come through the Council’s Cowdenbeath Area Committee, in partnership with the area’s Community Councils and other community organisations to encourage local people – residents and visitors alike – of all ages to come up with ideas to improve 'oor bit of Fife'.

Cowdenbeath Area Services manager, Kevin Sayer explained: "In the first phase, which ran over the summer, local people generated over 150 ideas online and by completing and returning postcards.

"These ideas have been reviewed by a steering group of local people and Fife Council staff which has resulted in a short-list of 30 projects to be put to the public vote.

"Projects range from the large to the small – from cycle routes and skate parks to information boards and community clean-ups. Voting will take place at open public events and online via www.oorbit.d21.me"

The vote will kick-off in Lumphinnans on Saturday October 29 where members of the Lumphinnans Social Group will be going door-to-door with the ballot papers – see their facebook page for more details.

Next is Hill of Beath which is hosting an event in the village Community Centre on the evening Tuesday November 1, followed by Crossgates which is on Sunday November 6 at the royal British Legion Club.

Events will then be held in Cardenden, at Bowhill Centre on Saturday November 12; in Lochgelly Centre on Tuesday 15th; at Benarty Centre on Monday 21st and the Moray Institute, Kelty on Saturday 26th.

Voting will close with an event at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre on Sunday November 27.

The successful projects will be announced at Cowdenbeath Area Committee at its meeting in Hill of Beath Community Centre on Wednesday November 30.

Mr Sayer added: "As well as the project ideas, the voting days will feature local Play Park provision and issues around roads, footways and lighting. "Local residents will be asked to review the condition and availability of play parks in their neighbourhoods and identify their priorities for renewal, replacement and new sites. The information gathered from this will help form the Area’s Play Park Strategy which was called for by Cowdenbeath Area Committee at its October meeting.

"Likewise people will be able to see the proposed Area Transportation Work Plan for 2017/18 and contribute their thoughts on the priorities they would like to see addressed.

"Anybody aged 8 and over living or working in the Cowdenbeath Area is eligible to vote. EVERY VOTE COUNTS – please attend the local events." (look out locally and on local facebook pages for more information) or vote online at www.oorbit.d21.me