Tenants who have spotted an area of ground they think could be put to good use, or a building they would like to see given a make-over, now have a chance to make their ideas a reality.

They can put forward their own proposals for neighbourhood improvements under a new project called Estate Based Initiatives (EBI).

Improvement projects will be identified during estate ‘Walkabouts” by tenants, other estate residents, housing staff and local elected members. The first estate ‘Walkabout” was held this week in Letham, Perth.

Further EBI Walkabouts are planned this year in New Alyth; Meigle; Coupar Angus; Pitlochry; Perth (Pomarium, North Muirton, Tulloch, Friarton), Scone, Methven, Braco and Kinross.

The council has put aside £100,000 of funding to pay for improvement projects identified in local communities. Successful projects will be taken forward by members of the community in partnership with their elected members and staff from the Housing Service.

The EBI project will improve the look and environment of communities, and also has the potential to deliver wider community benefits such as supporting local employability projects.

The council wants to hear any ideas people might have for improving their neighbourhoods. Local estate walkabouts and community meetings will also be held to identify possible projects.

To qualify, projects have to meet just a few criteria:

Four local EBI panels are being established made up housing staff, local elected members and where applicable representatives from the local registered tenant organisations (RTOs). If there are no local RTOs active, volunteers will be recruited.

EBI panels will be set up in:

Each Local EBI Panel will have the authority to approve a works programme in each locality and will also monitor the progress of local schemes.

Housing and health convener, councillor Dave Doogan, who attended the Letham walkabout, said: “As a council we are committed to investing in our neighbourhoods to ensure they are welcoming and safe places. This is a great chance for local communities to take a lead in projects to make use of disused land or improve existing buildings and make a tangible difference to the place where they live.

“I would encourage tenants and residents to put forward as many ideas as possible, as they will all be considered. They will take a lead role in seeing the successful projects through to completion, fully supported through the process by our staff and their local councillors. I’m looking forward to seeing what ideas local people come up with.”

@PerthandKinross