Agenda and minutes

1.       WELCOME

          The Chairman welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Cheviot Area Partnership and advised that he hoped everyone would complete evaluation forms at the end of the meeting.

To set the scene for how the new Area Partnership will develop.

https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20015/your_council/472/area_partnerships

2.       INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW AREA PARTNERSHIP

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Locality Services, Councillor Aitchison, set the scene for how the new Area Partnership would develop. He explained that Area Partnerships would bring together key organisations, groups, businesses and individuals from across the public, private and third sectors and from within the local communities to collectively work together. The first meeting of the Cheviot Area Partnership, would be used to introduce the new format of meeting, provide some context to both community planning and locality planning, as well as an overview of grants and funding. Future Area Partnership meetings would be themed to help discuss and debate issues in a more manageable way.

An overview of the Scottish Borders Community Plan and the development of the Cheviot Locality Plan.

https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/yourcommunityplan

3.       LOCAL PLANS

          The Chairman introduced Shona Smith, the Communities and Partnership Manager who explained the purpose of the Local Plan, which in future would feed into the Borders wide Community Plan.  She further explained that each meeting of the Partnership would focus on a theme within the Community Plan to populate the Local Plan for Cheviot.

Discussion looking at emerging issues in Cheviot across the themes of the Community Plan and setting priorities for future Area Partnership meetings.

4.       OPEN FORUM

The Chairman invited those present to discuss at their tables the emerging issues in Cheviot across the themes of the Community Plan and to write these down on the post-it notes provided. 30 minutes was given for this activity. The Chairman also asked those present to complete meeting evaluation forms which had been provided. From the feedback it was clear that the debate had included issues, challenges and opportunities across all five themes, with ‘Economy Skills and Learning’ emerging as the priority theme for discussion at the next meeting of the Cheviot Area Partnership. The feedback was summarised as shown in the appendix to this Minute.

An overview and update on what grants and funding streams are available to local communities, as well as an update on the Localities Bid Fund.

5.       GRANTS AND FUNDING OVERVIEW/UPDATE ON LOCALITIES BID FUND

Shona Smith, Communities and Partnership Manager advised that a total of £85k was available through the Localities Bid Fund for the Cheviot Area.  £35k had been allocated for Phase 1 and bids totalling £49, 596k had been received.  Those who did not meet the criteria were being directed to other funding options.  A list and summary of all projects was available on the Council’s website and each applicant would be encouraged to publicise their project.  Voting would either be available on-line, by paper in ballot boxes located throughout the area or by post between 1^st February and 28^th February.  For those who were unsuccessful alternative funding options would hopefully to be identified.  Ms Smith went on to outline the other funds available in the  Cheviot Area which included the Community Grant Scheme, Small Schemes and Quality of Life.  In response to questions regarding voting and small communities being disadvantaged, Ms Smith advised that those who had carried out such schemes previously had not found this to be a particular issue.  However, once the first phase had been completed the voting pattern would be assessed and changes could be made for future phases if required.

6.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting would be held on Wednesday, 28 March 2018 in Jedburgh Grammar School, Jedburgh at 6.30 p.m.