A South Scotland MSP is calling for more support for a trust that helps regenerate coalfield towns and villages in East Ayrshire.

Carol Mochan used a recent Scottish Parliament debate to highlight the need for further community regeneration in former mining regions such as Cumnock and the Doon Valley.

The debate recognised the work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which helps with wellbeing, employability and skills, as well as property investment programmes in the towns and villages.

In East Ayrshire, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has supported a range of initiatives in communities like Auchinleck, Cumnock, Dalmellington, and Netherthird.

Ms Mochan said the Scottish Government had made a £100,000 cut to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, contributing to what has been a £400,000 real-term funding cut, accounting for 60% of its budget, in the last 12 years.

Cumnock Chronicle: MSP, Carol Mochan and Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Anas Sarwar, CRT staff and campaigners.MSP, Carol Mochan and Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Anas Sarwar, CRT staff and campaigners. (Image: MSP, Carol Mochan)

In her speech, the Labour politician said: “Let us be clear that those communities did not create, but rather fell victim to, the social and economic problems that we all know affect other former coalfield areas.

“Unemployment, a lack of government investment and the acceptance of a decline in services are scars that take a long time to heal, and their effect on the day-to-day lives of generations of local people and families is still clear to see.

“Organisations such as the Coalfields Regeneration Trust stepped into the void."

She added: “During rapid and unthinking deindustrialisation, those organisations have pioneered projects such as Yipworld, the Zone, Auchinleck Community Development Initiative, the EPIC East Ayrshire Pipe Band Academy, and the Netherthird Initiative for Community Empowerment.

“We need these projects in our communities and without their help we would be in a much worse state. People who live here know that—no one needs to say it because we see it every day. The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is essential to our communities.”

Responding to comments by Ms Mochan and others in the debate, Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning Joe FitzPatrick said: "I begin by reaffirming our commitment to supporting our coalfield communities, as is demonstrated by our long-standing support for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and by the range of investments that we deliver to support coalfields, and all disadvantaged communities, across Scotland.

"The Scottish Government has provided more than £28million to the trust since it was established in 1999. That reflects the valuable role that the trust has played in supporting our coalfield communities, building their capacity and delivering essential support through a range of activities.

"We have worked closely with the trust this year and have been open about the financial position that is faced. We are working with a reduced budget to deliver our empowering communities programme, which supports the CRT’s grant."

Cumnock Chronicle: Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, Joe FitzPatrick.Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, Joe FitzPatrick. (Image: PA)

He added: "In 2023-24, the investing in communities fund is delivering more than £1.7 million in coalfield communities.

"Obviously, given the challenges of the budget that we have just presented today, all public services are having to look at how we hold our money together."