COWDENBEATH Area Committee has backed the role of a an assistant cycling development officer to help promote the new Fife Cycle Loop Circuit being constructed near Lochgelly High School.

Councillors were told by Emma Broadhurst, Physical Activity and Legacy Manager, that the committee was being asked to agree an allocation of up to £22,000 for the financial year 2017-2018, to extend the assistant cycling development officer's contract to work in the Cowdenbeath area and to pay for associated activities and and promotional materials.

She said: "The post holder will work in partnership with the Fife Council Cycling Development Officer and Community Use Schools to effectively support, promote and facilitate the programme of cycling at the circuit for for both sporting and community access.

"The post holder will also continue to engage across all partners in the Cowdenbeath area including Community Learning and Development, Area Service, Education, Parks, and Outdoor Education to promote the development of cycling, increase awareness and use of the cycle circuit.

"The post holder will work with the Cowdenbeath Area Services Manager and Community Use Team Manager to ensure cycling is an integral part of the local area plan, building on programmes and relationships already developed to ensure that cycling is seen as a positive attribute to promote health and wellbeing.

"This will involve the co-ordination and delivery of a range of cycling related opportunities, the recruitment and support of suitable volunteers to assist with cycling initiatives in the Cowdenbeath area and lend support and assistance in encouraging participation in cycling for people with learning and physical disabilities, ethnic minorities and girls and women as well as other target populations in the area."

Emma added: "The post holder will supervise the circuit when the build is complete ensuring programmes are maximised for income generation.

"The person will work with the Community Use team manager to make the best use of all facilities and develop a complementary programme for the local community and wider as appropriate.

"This will also ensure that tourism in the local area is enhanced through a programme of regional events, not just for cycling but athletics and swimming also."

Lochs councillor Alex Campbell said: "If the officer is based at the Cycle Loop Circuit and is all about promoting its use by people in the community it is right that the committee should be supporting the idea."

Lochgelly and Cardenden's Linda Erskine commented: "It will be important that awareness of the the Cycle Loop Circuit is continually promoted and I am in favour of us backing this.

"But I would also like to see a report come back to us on how the project is developing."

Emma Broadhurst stressed that the track should be be fully operation by the early autumn.

The committee decided to grant the funding package.