CASH from the Cowdenbeath Area Anti-Poverty Fairer Fife Fund is geared to creating some excellent activities throughout the district and touching on all age groups.

Cowdenbeath Area Committee agreed to several requests for funding from their APF which included £30,000 for the Easter and Summer playscheme plan and £10,000 for the Young People Participatory Budget.

Following success in Cardenden and Kelty, it is proposed to do the same in Lochgelly, Crossgates and Hill of Beath with Benarty, Lumphinnans and Cowdenbeath to benefit in 2020/21.

Meanwhile the Be Jennie Lee project is to receive £20,000 as it continues to celebrate the work of the local lady who was the Cabinet Minister who played a key role in founding the Open University in 1969.

Cowdenbeath Area community manager, Kevin Sayer, told councillors: "2019 sees the Open University celebrating its 50th anniversary of being granted a Royal Charter and work is being undertaken with six of the Area's primary schools to write, produce and perform their own play with music.

"The work is being filmed and will be showcased at a celebratory event which is likely to take place in May.

"This event will be supported by the OU and in addition two plays about Jennie Lee are in the early stages of development and will be produced locally in due course."

£30,000 has also been agreed for Cleaner, Tidier Fife and will be progressed by the Parks, Streets and Open Spaces team. Mr Sayer pointed out that the work sees the purchase of equipment and consists mainly outwith the core work of the PSOS but which enhance and improve the public realm in the area.

Councillors were warm in their support for the Anti Poverty Fund and Ballingry member, Mary Lockhart said: "Anti poverty is a very important issue in our area.

"I must say that I am a big support of the Be Jennie Lee project and I am looking forward to the coming 50th anniversary celebrations of the Open University opening."

Added vice chair Councillor Rosemary Liewald: "This project really lifts the aspirations of the children involved and what Jennie Lee achieved is a great example of what can be done with the use of great knowledge and determination."

Committee chair, Councillor Linda Erskine added: "The Be Jennie Lee Project has proved itself to be a huge success, giving children the chance to express themselves and gain confidence which can be with them through their mainstream education."