Call for ideas on the Elgin Long Term Town Plan

In October 2023, Elgin was one of 55 towns in the UK, seven in Scotland to be awarded £20M from the UK Government as part of the Long -Term Plan for Towns.

The Town Board, which has been formed to develop and deliver a ten-year vision and initial three-year investment plan, consists of local community figures including Moray’s MP Douglas Ross, MSP Richard Lochhead, Elgin Community Council, NHS Grampian, Moray College UHI, Elgin Town Hall for the Community, Moray Chamber of Commerce and Elgin BID. More representatives from business and community will be added to the board in due course.

The Community Council is working closely with the Elgin Town Board and other partners on a series of sub groups being set up to support the Board to ensure this work is driven by the community.

At a meeting of the board on Friday (5 April 2024), where local business women Jenny Urquhart was appointed Town Board Chair, a first stage of public engagement was approved.

All the feedback received from this engagement will be used to inform an Investment Plan which the Town Board is required to submit to the UK Government by 1 August 2024 and to inform a Local Place Plan which Elgin Community Council are preparing.

The first phase of engagement aims to gather ideas from the public on the three key themes, set out by the UK Government, that the Plans must adhere to.

• - Safety and Security – aimed at tackling crime and anti-social behaviour to ensure local areas and businesses can thrive.
• - High streets, heritage and regeneration – explores ideas to enhance town centres to ensure they remain the beating heart of our towns and offer opportunities to local people.
• - Transport and connectivity – focuses on improving transport connectivity so that residents can access high streets, jobs, and local shopping centres with ease.

Moray residents can now take part in an online survey where they can share ideas on the three themes. The survey runs until 28 May 2024.

Elgin Community Council will be holding an evening event on 1 May at Elgin Town Hall from 6pm-8.30pm, seeking ideas for the fund and wider aspirations that will feed into the Local Place Plan.

Community drop-in sessions will also be held around Elgin on 27 April in Bishopmill Hall 10am-12pm; New Elgin Hall Annexe 10am-3pm; and Cooper Park 12pm-3pm. A further event in Elgin Town Centre will be held on 11 May at the former M&Co store from 10am-3pm.

These community events and drop-in sessions are a chance for everyone to learn more about the survey and to discuss their ideas for the fund.

For more information on the Elgin Long Term Town Plan fund, future events, and the survey visit the My Moray Website.

Elgin Community Council chair, Alastair Kennedy, said, “This project will be driven by the community, so I’m pleased that local people are getting the opportunity to share their ideas and feed into the Local Place Plan and Elgin Long Term Town Plan.

I would encourage everyone to come along to the community events, get involved with the engagement and share their ideas. This is our town and I’m sure there will be some brilliant and innovative ideas on offer to transform Elgin.”

Elgin Town Board Chair, Jenny Urquhart, said: “It’s an honour to Chair the Elgin Town Board to deliver the 10 year vision and 3 year investment plan.  There is a clear focus for the Board with the three key themes set, we are looking forward to completing the Board membership in the coming weeks.  Fully community driven, we have a unique opportunity to make significant improvements for current and future generations in Elgin.”

Douglas Ross, MP, added: “I’m delighted to see plans progressing at pace to deliver a long-term plan for Elgin. The £20 million investment from the UK Government has been put directly into the hands of the community who will be at the heart of decision-making which is exactly the right approach.

“The vision for the future of Elgin goes above party politics and I’m pleased to be part of the board, bringing together those who are passionate about the town.

“The upcoming community engagement events are a great way for local residents and businesses to have their say on what the priorities should be for Elgin and I look forward to hearing their thoughts.”