Published on:
19
November 2012
The Cashback for Communities project in Clackmannanshire is well underway in partnership with Marshall Construction, and proving to be a great success.
Clackmannanshire Council applied for, and was granted, £100,000 which has enabled work across a number of public amenity buildings throughout the county to be completed.
The work has been carried out under the supervision of the Council, but has been directly managed by Marshalls Construction, who started on site on Monday 8th October and the project is due to last 12 - 14 weeks.
The first two sites renovated were at West End Park, Alloa and Fairfield Park, Sauchie.
Housing, Health and Care Committee Convener, Councillor Les Sharp said: "The work in Clackmannanshire, throughout this programme, will utilise the labour of offenders sentenced to unpaid work in the community to upgrade and maintain those facilities.
"The funding is intended to supplement existing work programmes in a way which provides work suitable for those on Community Payback Orders and which also gives opportunities for worthwhile work of public benefit."
Research indicates that employment is a major factor in offering offenders a way into mainstream society. The work routine can also provide a sense of purpose, a social network, increase self esteem and self efficacy, as well as improving personal support structures.
Councillor Sharp added: "This project aims to replicate a real life working environment for offenders and, as such, it is predicted that the benefits of long term meaningful activity will achieve positive outcomes for the participating offenders."
Clackmannanshire's Criminal Justice Service has provided labour through the Community Payback Order scheme to Marshalls Construction.
This project identified a number of Sports Facilities that would benefit from external and internal fabric repairs.
The buildings are extensively used by the local community and because of their locations are occasionally subject to anti social behaviour and vandalism.
Sports facilities selected for upgrading during the programme are: Fir Park Ski Centre, Tillicoultry; Gartmorn Visitor Centre, Sauchie; Fairfeld Park Pavilion, Sauchie; King George V Park Pavilion, Clackmannan; Cochrane Park Public Toilets; Dumyat Centre, Menstrie; Tullibody Civic Centre, Tullibody; and West End Park Pavilion, Alloa.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill previously announced that an additional £4million was to be allocated to Community Justice Authorities across Scotland to help deliver Community Payment and to improve its speed and effectiveness on the ground.
The majority of the £4 million funding is being used for specific projects to enhance sports facilities which need improvement. The aim of the fund is to promote the rehabilitation of offenders and help reduce reoffending by maintaining and improving sports amenities available to communities throughout Scotland.