COUNCILLORS are committed to ensuring youngsters have top class holiday programmes to enjoy in 2018.

Cowdenbeath Area Committee unanimously backed plans to put together a top quality summer programme but also to look at ensuring that activities were on offer during all school holidays.

The committee heard from Community Development Team Manager, Gary Daniell, that in 2017 programmes had been run in Kelty, Cowdenbeath, Benarty, Cardenden and Lochgelly, and work by the CLD staff had seen activities put together from consultations which had attracted a good attendance of youngsters in each community.

The Lochgelly programme saw activities from 8 to 12 year-olds and over 12s put together and there were 14 sessions involving 52 children in total with over 300 attendees involved.

The Cowdenbeath programme was also split into junior and senior groups and saw more than 250 attendees enjoying what was on offer.

Benarty's programme saw more than 350 attendances and a fun day involving partner agencies, saw 650 attendances.

Cardenden saw a mixture of events which also saw encouraging turn outs.

Mr Daniell went on: "The range of work which went on was really wide and the young people who took part thoroughly enjoyed themselves while the numbers taking part were good.

"While the summer programmes were a key element three district programmes were run across the summer aiming to provide the opportunity for in-depth work."

These, he said, included the Girls Health Programme, Total Adventure and Friday Night at the Meedies.

The Health Programme targeted non active vulnerable young girls in the area which ran two days for six weeks.

The programme was developed in conjunction with the young people and was needs based, enabling the young women to get together in a safe environment and explore issues of gender identity connected to a series of outdoor activities.

Total Adventure focussed on vulnerable young people who needed additional support throughout the school holidays and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Friday Night at the Meedies targeted young people and families in the Cowdenbeath Area to offer positive activities alleviating stress and improving family relationships.

The feedback from the programmes was very positive, he said and he added: "The CLD team have extensive plans for delivery of summer programmes in 2018.

"The involvement of young people in the development of these is key and engagement with the community will be important in delivering high quality activities."

Cardenden, Lochgelly and Benarty member, Councillor Rosemary Liewald said: "I must simply say that some tremendous work was done last summer with the youngsters.

"What has been going on has been excellent and we want more this year."

Her colleague Councillor Mary Lockhart said: "That is superb to hear but I often wonder if we could not have something similar running in the winter."

Cowdenbeath and Kelty councillor, Alex Campbell, commented: "These programmes can give children such a variety of activities to enjoy that they might not otherwise experience." Sentiments agreed by his colleagues Alistair Bain; and also Gary Guichan.

Committee chair, Councillor Linda Erskine said: "It is excellent that the plans are being put together for this summer but maybe we should look at a winter programme.

"That could avoid over 100 youngsters out and about in Cardenden at the weekend."

The committee agreed Mr Daniell's report and hope to hear more of the success of the activities.