Fife Council has issued a statement in response to the Scottish Government's Town Centre Action Plan.

Last week, following a review, the Government published an action plan to revive town centres throughout the country. The report aimed to discover potential solutions to the issues faced by the town centres.

Councillor Lesley Laird, spokesperson for Business, Enterprise, Economy & Planning welcomed the plan, adding that work on the majority of the actions identified is already underway in Fife.

She explained: "Town centres are at the heart of communities and although this is a difficult time the council wants to continue to take a lead role and do everything it can to help regeneration across the Kingdom.

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"Our town centres will have to adapt to survive and can only do this with the support of the council and other organisations.

"The action plan announced yesterday is a positive step and is a recognition there is still more work to be done.

"Council officers and I will now study the detail contained in the plan carefully but what is very clear already is that there's been a lot of good work done and a number of positive achievements in Fife towards the majority of the actions highlighted.

"For example, the council has already taken a strong leading role to tackle problems.

"Adding to the success of town centre summits and charette in Lochgelly the council has made a commitment to invest an extra £1.5 million in Fife's town centres and has pledged to consult on further dedicated town centre funds for next financial year.

"The work the council has done recently on tackling dilapidated properties has also meant progress but we recognised further investment was needed."

Councillor Laird concluded: "Overall, it's important to recognise the council will continue to support Fife's towns and is committed to working with partner agencies and organisations as well as the Scottish and UK Government."

(JP/CD)