As we have reported previously, the Development Trust is required to raise ?90,000 toward the Town Centre regeneration costs. As part of our strategy for achieving this significant amount of funding, we applied to the Sustrans Community Links fund in February for some of the town centre regeneration costs, including the replacement of one bridge. This is a highly competitive fund and we were very pleased to have been selected to go through to the second stage of funding and gave a presentation to a panel of 11 Sustrans associates in March. Sustrans were to inform projects by April 8th if they had been successful, unfortunately we received confirmation from them that they were delaying the assessment process and we will now not hear the outcome until early May. We are deeply disappointed by this delay but remain hopeful. We will report on the outcome as soon as we hear. We have also been working hard on a preliminary application to the new Scottish Enterprise Tourism Destination Development fund. The fund aims to support the highest impact projects proposed within tourism destinations, enhance the visitor experience and increase visitor spending. The Expression of Interest we have submitted focuses on the cultural and natural heritage of the Alyth Development Trust area which is one of Visit Scotland?s current priorities. If we are invited to make a formal bid, we will be looking to present a three year plan around this focus involving accommodation and food/beverage providers, local cultural and natural heritage attractions, events and activities.
The Trust needs to continually raise money for running costs. If you have any ideas to help us fundraise we would be delighted to hear from you!
AGM
The Trust?s Annual General Meeting is to be held on Wednesday 8th June at the Ogilvie Rooms at 7.30pm. Along with the AGM office bearers election we are delighted to announce that Jo Campbell Mackenzie is going to give a talk on her recent trip riding across Scotland with two highland ponies, two dogs and a rescue peregrine falcon. One not to be missed! Diane Cassidy from Perth and Kinross Council will also give an update on the Planning Aid Scotland Consultation findings, the regeneration of the town square and replacement of the bridges. Please do come along and support your Trust. We are currently working on a Strategic Plan for the Trust, which we hope to share with you at the AGM. This will state the short and long term objectives of the Trust relating to the findings of the Planning Aid Scotland Consultation report.