Community Payback

Councillors say the scheme has helped a variety of projects from individual householders to care homes.

Community Payback gives offenders the opportunity to make amends to the local community.

The work carried out by Community Payback Scheme participants benefits local schools, charities, and community organisations by helping with work that they would otherwise not be able to get done.

The range of work carried out on the scheme includes ground clearance, recycling projects,building maintenance and landscaping and improvements to park and community facilities.

Councillors say a number of projects have gone ahead in and around the Cowdenbeath area including:

• Assistance with the Bowhill & Cardenden annual gala by setting up stages and clearing up afterwards.
• Clean-up of Lochgelly West Primary School garden.
• Litter removal projects at the Burn area of Cowdenbeath and Allan Park, Hill of Beath.
• Painting and decorating projects at Broad Street Centre, Hill of Beath Community centre, and Jubilee Cottage Residential Care Unit.

Councillor Willie Clarke, Chair of Cowdenbeath Area Committee said: 

"These teams have made a very positive contribution to our local community and it's great to see such productive outcomes from this scheme. On behalf of the whole community, I'd like to thank them for all their hard work."

Executive spokesperson for Education, Children, Young People and Families, Councillor Bryan Poole added:

"This is an excellent example of the valuable and life-changing work that provides mutual benefit to communities and individuals who participate in the Community Payback scheme.

"The aim of Community Payback is to provide a variety of opportunities for participants to make reparation to their local community, and to help them learn and acquire new work and life skills. This project is providing people with an excellent chance to gain useful knowledge and experience and to give something back that is of real benefit to local communities."