KEY QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN ABOUT TOWN CENTRE FUND

10.00.00am GMT Tue 10th Mar 2009

Liberal Democrat MSP for North East Fife, Iain Smith, has challenged the Finance Secretary in the Scottish Parliament to come clean about how the town centre regeneration fund will be allocated and what will be eligible for funding.

Mr Smith expressed his concern that the longer the Scottish Government thinks about how it is going to administer the scheme whilst simultaneously urging local communities to bid for funds, hopes are being raised and realistic assessments as to the chances of successful bids are not able to be made.

Commenting, Mr Smith said:

"So far the only regeneration we have seen is the regeneration of press releases from SNP and Tory MSPs urging communities to bid for the funds.

"There is a danger that this will raise expectations that cannot be met. The SNP must come clean about how this money will be allocated and what will be eligible for funding.

"Let's not forget that so far the SNP has refused to confirm what will have to be axed next year to pay for this scheme."