7. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the people and communities fund and how it supports community organisations. (S4O-05702)

On Monday I announced a budget of £10.755 million for the people and communities fund in 2016-17, which will support nearly 190 continuing community-led fund projects throughout Scotland with a further year of funding. An evaluation of the people and communities fund will be conducted in 2016 to explore its impact and to understand better how that type of funding supports and empowers communities.

I welcome the minister’s update on the people and communities fund.

What advice could be given to help a local Bellshill group in my region, which requires funding for a traffic report that has been requested by North Lanarkshire Council in order to establish a sports hub, thereby ensuring that the project can gain the best for the local area?

The Government recognises the importance of funding for our community groups to help to empower them to deliver the local priorities that matter most to them. That is why, despite our tight spending review, we have maintained a £20 million commitment to support the family of empowering communities funds in 2016-17.

Local authorities have a key role to play as partners in community groups to help them to realise their local ambitions. I encourage all community groups to use the helpful funding portal provided by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, which can be accessed at www.fundingscotland.com, to help to identify funds that are available in Scotland for their activities. I wish the local group in Richard Lyle’s constituency good luck in facilitating that new enterprise in Bellshill.