Leithers get their say on £16k funds

RESIDENTS in Leith are being given their say on how public money should be spent through an "X Factor-style" vote.

The city council said a pilot project called eith Decides would give the local community power to determine the allocation of around 16,000 in funding.

Anyone who lives or works in Leith is invited to a special voting event at Leith Academy on Saturday 27 November at 1pm.

Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "This is a worthwhile project focusing on the local groups in Leith and is a good example of empowering communities by devolving funding decisions to a local level.

"The method of voting should ensure participants are fully involved in assessing the worth of the applications."

Over the last few weeks, applications have been received from local groups, residents' associations, environmental projects, lunch clubs and schools and parent councils.

In the vote, the public will be asked to score each group out of five, with the winners receiving funding of up to 1000.