Local priorities action plan 2021-24

23 April 2021

Community Renewal Fund (CRF) local priorities action plan 2021-24.

Strategic Priority 1: Ayrshire Growth Deal

Assist existing businesses to decarbonise and support the growth of high potential, sustainable and low carbon businesses.
Deliver new opportunities for apprenticeships across a range of emerging growth sectors, including ‘green apprenticeships’, which will help us to deliver on our net zero carbon aspirations.
Deliver on Scotland’s 2030 net zero carbon commitment by investing in clean energy and digital technology.
Working with SEPA and the Scottish Government, fully examine the issue of flood risk and implications for our communities, including our town centres.
Invest in new, sustainable transport infrastructure that improves the transport network and accessibility, particularly in our rural communities.

Enable local businesses to take advantage of public sector procurement opportunities, helping to increase their competitiveness nationally and internationally.
Provide a range of tailored support packages to nurture and develop the capacity of our businesses to grow.
Attract more private sector investment into East Ayrshire, providing projects that generate jobs and wealth for our communities.
Provide specific innovation and entrepreneurial skills to support emerging growth sectors via skills partners.
Support social enterprises and the third sector to provide facilities and employment, and deliver inclusive growth.

Work with employers to ensure that opportunities created locally adhere to the principles of Fair Work, including payment of the Living Wage and high standards.
Invest in town centres to encourage the return of visitors, and reimagine our vacant shops and public buildings as housing, business or community space.
As anchor organisations, design and build local economic and community wealth building solutions in conjunction with local people.
Work alongside our communities to deliver Local Place Plans which set out proposals for development of land and assets.

Adapt the provision of employability services and provide re-training and upskilling opportunities for people whose work or learning has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and for those most at risk of poverty.
Reduce the incidence of ill health as a constraint to an inclusive economy for individuals and businesses.
Tackle digital exclusion to promote equality, counter social isolation and unlock access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities.

Support all our businesses through recovery from COVID-19 and the UK’s departure from the EU, and into a longer-term renewal.
Invest in hospitality and tourism as part of our economic recovery from COVID-19 and reposition East Ayrshire as a destination for responsible tourism in alignment with national and pan-Ayrshire tourism strategies.
Accelerate the transformation of key digital public services, recognising the workplace transformation that has taken place as a result of COVID-19.

Ensure that, within the necessary constraints of the ongoing COVID-19 response, the delivery of education within our learning establishments maintains a strong focus on excellence and equity for all.
Maximise educational attainment rates and achievement for all learners in East Ayrshire, recognising the particular challenges in areas of deprivation.
Support the Young Person’s Guarantee by ensuring that every young person has access to a job, education, training or development programme.
Expand provision of school, college and apprenticeship places to meet emerging demands in new and high-growth areas.

Community Renewal Fund