About
PCDT
Development trusts are community run organisations which
- aim to achieve the sustainable regeneration of a community and therefore are concerned with the economic, social and environmental and cultural needs of their community
- are independent but seek to work in partnership with other private and public sector organisations
- are owned and managed by the local community
- aim to generate income through trading activity that enables them to move away from dependency on grant support. All trading surpluses are principally reinvested in the organisation or community.
Our Aims
The Trust is responsible to the Penicuik Community (defined as all those who live within the town of Penicuik and its immediate surroundings, and any others who participate as active members of community organisations based in Penicuik). All members of our community have equal voting rights at the Public Meetings of the Trust where members of its committee are endorsed. The aims of the Trust shall be:
- To promote community activities and community regeneration in Penicuik.
- To make the Cowan Institute a sustainable focus for community development, seeking to keep it open and active all day, and to restore local responsibility for its management.
- To use the Cowan Institute to build confidence in the people of Penicuik to participate in the community and value its assets, making Penicuik a better place to live in for young and old, and a more attractive place to visit and invest in.
- To develop activities that generate income for the community but that do not restrict the use of the Cowan Institute for community use.
- To work in partnership with Midlothian Council, Penicuik & District Community Council and other local organisations to achieve these aims.