A ST ANDREWS initiative, which never quite managed to gain the public confidence some believe it should have, is being wound up.
St Andrews World Class is being replaced by "a more representative and accountable" body, manager Patrick Laughlin confirmed.
In its place, the St Andrews Partnership is being created in a move which follows discussions and consultation with vari
ous groups of people in the town.
Mr Laughlin said there was "a considerable level of support for the concept of a formal partnership for the town," with the consensus view one of "cautious welcome" to the proposals.
"The new partnership's stated goal is for St Andrews to become recognised as a community that works together to set all-round standards of excellence, thereby becoming a place that is admired, and aspired to, by the rest of Scotland," he said.
That vision is not a million miles away from the aims of St Andrews World Class, which, broadly, were to develop a shared vision for St Andrews as a truly world-class location to live, work and visit.
Said Mr Laughlin: "Local groups and community representatives discussed the emerging plans for the new partnership last week with the main public agencies involved, Fife Council, Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland, and it has been agreed to set up a temporary steering group to oversee the creation of the new, wide-ranging partnership body."
A partnership manager is to be recruited and local groups have been given the opportunity to shape the job description for the post, which will be funded by Scottish Enterprise, Fife Council and a number of local organisations.
Details of the post will be advertised publicly in the near future.
