This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Lottery cash for sport and culture
26/03/2003
Out-of-school sporting and cultural programmes in 21 local authoritiy areas are to share £22.2 million of Lottery funding announced today.
The investment comes from the New Opportunities Fund £87 million for PE and Sports programmes announced in March last year.
It will also be used to support Active Steps projects designed to divert children and young people from criminal activity or behaviours likely to lead to criminal activity.
Sport and Culture Minister Mike Watson joined Martin Compston, star of Sweet Sixteen, on a visit to Holy Cross Primary School in Greenock - the Inverclyde local authority area benefiting from £688,840 in additional funding.
Mr Watson said:
"We recognise the contribution sport and culture can make to the lives of our young people. The aim is to develop good habits and practices which will set life-long patterns and encourage them to make positive life choices.
"Involvement in sport can promote self-discipline and equality. It can encourage self-respect and an understanding of communities and our role within them.
"There is also a clear need for early intervention in the lives of young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in petty crime. This involvement can lead to more serious offending and potentially to a greater incidence of drug use. We have a duty to ensure that everything possible is done to let them know that alternatives are available.
"We must provide access to activities that attract young people and appeal to them whatever their ability. Projects are offering a diversity of activities - everything from kayaking to dance, drama and circus skills - all of which provide an alternative perspective on life and its choices."
The £22.2 million will be shared among:
Aberdeenshire Council - £980,718
Argyll and Bute Council - £461,270
Comhairle Nain Eilean Siar - £204,938
Dumfries and Galloway council - £806,210
Dundee City Council - £1,187,53
East Ayrshire Council - £974,553
East Dunbartonshire Council - £489,293
East Lothian Council - £478,937
East Renfrewshire Council - £415,533
Falkirk Council - £940,242
Fife Council - £2,221,29
Glasgow City Council - £6,642,43
Highland Council - £1,244,67
Inverclyde Council - £688,840
Moray Council - £446,642
North Ayrshire Council - £1,181,30
Orkney Islands Council - £10,140
Perth and Kinross Council - £588,034
Scottish Borders Council - £478,945
South Ayrshire Council - £658,699
West Lothian Council - £1,076,35