RESIDENTS of Prestonpans were praised by a Government minister after they braved heavy rain to take part in an open day which will help decide the future of the town.

Marco Biagi MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Community Empowerment, visited the Coalfields Community Futures Open Day in the town hall earlier this month.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust organised the event after helping a local steering group carry out a household survey in the town to establish people’s priorities for future funding.

The trust has established £20,000 funding to help projects which receive the most support get up and running in the community.

On Saturday, November 7, the top projects went on display in the town hall, with people invited to go along and vote for the one which had their support.

Mr Biagi spent nearly two hours at the event chatting to people and listening to their views.

He said: “This was a great example of community empowerment and participatory budgeting at work.

“The Scottish Government is fully behind this approach, which gives local people the power to decide how their area develops, and which organisations are funded.

“I was absolutely delighted to see so many people come in and take a real interest in all the proposals and cast their votes for their favourites.

“It’s not only about days like this, but about the work, ideas and connections that the process generates and how it brings individuals and groups together and the positive energy that creates.

“The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has been using this model for several years and we think it is one that should be built on. It’s exactly what community empowerment and participatory budgeting should be all about.”

Other politicians who attended the event included local MSP Iain Gray, MP George Kerevan, and council leader Willie Innes.

Steering group member Martin Whitfield said: “We were delighted with the turnout and particularly pleased that such a large cross-section of Prestonpans made the effort to take part.”

Among the ideas to emerge from the household survey were proposals to improve sports facilities and activities for young people, better maintenance and use of the beach and the development of local paths and walkways and more public art installations for the town.

Nicky Wilson, Scottish trustee of the trust, said: “We were really pleased for the people of Prestonpans that the minister took such a personal interest in their open day.”