Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Mr David Farries (Scottish Fire & Rescue) and Mr Tony Jakimciw (Borders College).

Consider Minutes of previous meeting of the Community Planning Strategic Board held on 22 June 2017.  (Attached.)

The Minute of the meeting of the Community Planning Strategic Board held on 22 June 2017 had been circulated.

AGREED to approve the Minute.

(Attached.)

The Action Tracker had been circulated.

Noted.

4.1    Draft Community Plan (LOIP)

Shona Smith, Communities & Partnership Manager (SBC), advised that there had been a good level of response to the consultation.  Publicity continued and she asked partner organisations to include a link to the consultation on their own websites.  The EIA was still to be done and there would be an interactive version available on-line.  Meeting would be set up with the Chief Executives of all partner organisations to discuss.  The Scottish Government was happy with the progress to date but actions and measures still had to be developed.  The draft version would be available by the end of September to go to partner organisation Boards.  It was noted that the Plan would continue to evolve.

Noted.

4.2       Locality Plans

Shona Smith advised that there would be a Locality Plan for each of the 5 locality areas.  The numbers from other Councils ranged from 1 to 24 but the average was 3 to 6 and Scottish Government had no issue with this wide range. The importance of capturing the needs and ambitions of local people was stressed and input would be sought from all partners to help build the plans up.  Scottish Government acknowledged that the date of 1 October would not be achieved but were happy with progress to date.  Audit Scotland would take a light touch approach on checking progress next year.  A report would be considered by Scottish Borders Council at their meeting on 28 September 2017 on the operation of the new Area Partnerships.  Colin Banks commented on the points raised in the consultation responses.  Most had been supportive but there had been comments on why transport did not feature and the need to simplify the language.  There had been few responses from Community Councils so far.  It was noted that the outcomes may be reduced from 6 to 4.  In response to the issue of transport, Philip Barr advised that a full analysis of transport in the Borders was ongoing.  The Chairman asked that Communications be asked to issue further publicity aimed at Community Councils.

Action:  Agreed that further publicity be issued to encourage Community Councils to take part in the consultation.

4.3       Launch Event

The launch date had been set for Thursday, 23 November 2017.  The day would start with setting the context of community planning in the Borders and be followed by workshops.  Partner contributions would be required and there would be an update/presentation from delivery team Chairs.  It was suggested that the 5 Locality Committee Chairs and the Community Council Network Chair also be invited.

Action:  Invitations be issued to Locality Committee and Community Council Network Chairs.

5.1       Economy and Low Carbon

Rob Dickson advised that the group had met on Tuesday 5^th September.  They had agreed the structure of the economic profile and the economic strategy was being refreshed.  A draft would be available by the end of the year with final approval by February 2018.  Input from partners would be required and the importance of this work had increased following the announcement of the South of Scotland Enterprise Agency.

Noted.

5.2    Reducing Inequalities

Donna Manson advised that the last meeting at all of the outcomes for accommodated and looked after children.  The Group was building its own ‘dashboard’ and looking at target setting in that area.  A presentation had been given by the Transitions Project who provided supported accommodation for 18-25 year olds in Galashiels which provided a concierge to help those young people.  She asked that the Board also consider receiving the presentation.  The unsuccessful funding application was to be appealed.  With regard to a recent discussion with Joe Griffin, there was a renewed national commitment and structure to deal with child poverty.  Funding was being sought for a Transitions Project (school to college and college to work).  It was proposed that details of the Transitions Project be brought to the next meeting of the Board to seek support.  Funding applications were more likely to be successful if they were submitted on a partnership basis.  It was noted that Scottish Borders had the lowest average wages in Scotland and were currently ranked 29 out of 32 in terms of meeting the attainment gap.  It was further proposed that the Chief Executive of SBC write to Andy Bruce at Scottish Government to seek the involvement of relevant Government officers for the event on 23 November. Marjorie Hume commented on inequalities as they applied to older people particularly those who lived in a rural area. Mrs Manson agreed that having a representative of older people on the group would be considered.

Actions:

(a)     Item on the Transitions Project be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

(b)     Chief Executive of SBC to write to Andy Bruce at Scottish Government re Government participation at the event on 23 November.

(c)     Consider membership of Reducing Inequalities Group to include representative of older people.

5.3       Future Services

Nile Istephan advised that the group had not met over the summer.  However, it was expected that the Estate and Property registers would be published by 1 October and this would give Community Groups the opportunity to consider taking over underused buildings.  Following publication of this document there should be specific discussions regarding the use of buildings for co-location and the disposal of surplus assets.  He expected that as services began to be delivered in a different way that more property would become surplus.  The Community Benefit and Procurement Group had now been stood down as they had completed their remit, although this group still operated outwith the CP Partnership.  He also reported on the development of training and a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Presentation on areas likely to impact on Community Planning over the next year.

Rob Dickson gave a presentation on the development of the new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency, the Edinburgh and South East City region Deal and the Borderland Initiative.  With regard to SoSEA legislation was required so it would not be fully operation until 2020.  However, there was a push for interim arrangements to allow the best possible start.  A Ministerial announcement was expected in October.  With regard to the City Deal, this was a 10 year strategy and focussed on housing and regenerations plans for Tweedbank and a skills development programme.  The full request for funding had not been met but work was now undertaken to prepare the business cases and other work in support of the “heads of terms”.  In response to a question Mr Dickson advised that it had not been possible to include Reston Station as it was already an approved project.  The Borderlands Initiative included Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Northumberland County, Carlisle City and Cumbria County Councils.  A draft vision and objectives had been drawn up and work was ongoing to progress the bid.  The cross-boundary nature of the project did lead to possible political issues.  Funding for projects by the English authorities would be 100% funded by UK Government but, depending on the nature of the project, those on the Scottish side might require joint funding from Scottish Government.  Mr Dickson advised that he expected the legislation for the SoSEA to have an impact on the remit of the CP Strategic Board.  He undertook to circulate his presentation to Partners to share with their organisations.  Marjorie Hume commented on the Third Sector Interface and the changes this was expected to bring for the Borders.  A major conference was to be held in October.

Noted.

No items were raised.