North Ayrshire ADP moves voting online for £60k PB process

Projects that could help to aid recovery from substance misuse disorders and prevent drug-related deaths could soon receive up to £10k in funding as part of North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership’s participatory budgeting event – and it’s now up to the public to decide where they’d like to see the cash being allocated.

A number of community groups and organisations submitted applications for a share of £60k after the launch of the ‘Substance of our Communities’ scheme in late February.

A decision day event planned for Saturday, April 18 at Ardrossan Civic Centre was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and voting will now take place online at nahscp.org/adp. Voting opens at 9am on Monday, June 8, and will run until noon on Monday, June 22.

The voting site will contain information about all of the shortlisted projects and anyone who lives or works in North Ayrshire will be able to vote for which three they would most like to see receive funding. An email address is required to register.

The scheme is the latest in a series of participatory budgeting events, which allow members of the public to have a say on how funds are distributed in their area.

Councillor Louise McPhater, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “We hope that this exercise will bring communities together and start conversations on what else can be done to help prevent drug-related deaths 

“It is crucial that people fighting addictions feel accepted and supported in society while on their journey to wellness. There are many charities, projects and community organisations out there doing fantastic work, and this funding could go a long way to helping them to reach more people and provide hope.

“It is important to us that communities are able to have a say on where they feel this money would be best spent, and I would urge everyone to please take five minutes and visit the site to cast your votes.”

More here.