Long-term plan for towns
In 2023, the UK Government pledged £1.1 billion of funding for 55 towns under their initiative Long-Term Plan for Towns (LTPT).
Kilmarnock, along with six other Scottish towns – Irvine, Greenock, Clydebank, Coatbridge, Dumfries and Moray – was allocated £20 million to be spent supporting community led regeneration at a rate of £2 million per year over the next 10 years.
Kilmarnock fair festival
Utilising some of the capacity funding from financial year 2024–2025 provided via the LTPT, the Kilmarnock Fair Festival was held on 29 June 2024.
The purpose of this event was to engage, raise awareness, and provide a fun, inclusive event to build connections, community spirit and pride in Kilmarnock. The Fair functioned as an event to garner views to inform the Long-Term Plan and informed the submission of the Long-Term Plan to UK Government on 1 August 2024.
An update on the Plan from 2024 is available on the We Make Kilmarnock website.
Plan for neighbourhoods
Following the UK Parliamentary election in July 2024, the Labour government refreshed the approach to regeneration and amended the fund to the ‘Plan for Neighbourhoods’.
A revised prospectus was issued in March 2025, setting out the three strategic objectives of the programme, namely:
- thriving places
- stronger communities, and
- taking back control
We will now work towards a winter 2025 deadline to submit a regeneration plan to UK Government. This Plan will continue to reflect the consultation feedback from the community gathered in 2024.
The Kilmarnock Neighbourhood Board, also known as We Make Kilmarnock, puts local people at the centre of defining Kilmarnock’s future, with responsibility for developing a regeneration plan in partnership with East Ayrshire Council to deliver the strategic objectives of the Plan for Neighbourhoods Programme.
The Board has an independent chair and representatives from various sectors including:
- community and business leaders
- local councillors
- employers
- business representatives and
- our local Member of Parliament (MP)
The Board aims to prioritise the wellbeing, prosperity, people and the environment of our town.
By fostering partnerships with those who live, work, and invest in Kilmarnock, the Board will be dedicated to driving positive change in Kilmarnock and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
The Board builds on the good work already happening in Kilmarnock including:
Plan for neighbourhood themes
The plan for neighbourhoods sets out broad investment themes, underlining that activity should be driven by the needs and aspirations of local communities.
The themes are:
- Housing
- Work, productivity and skills
- Cohesion
- Health and wellbeing
- Transport
