Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: St. Ronan's Primary School, Innerleithen

Contact: Louise McGeoch Tel: 01835 825005  Email:  lmcgeoch@scotborders.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Introductions

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the third meeting of the Tweeddale Area Partnership.

 

2.

Open Forum

Opportunity to raise local matters.

Minutes:

The following issues were raised by those present:-

 

·                Concerns were raised regarding possible cuts to the bus service from Biggar to Edinburgh and Service 62 serving Clovenfords – Councillor Haslam advised that the re-tendering process was ongoing and that a number of options were being considered.

·                The possible changes to opening times of the Eshiels Community Recycling Centre was raised – Councillor Haslam advised that following a public consultation it had been agreed to close the centre on 1 day per week on the basis that the centre would be open longer on the other days during the summer months.  Councillor Bell requested that details of the consultation be shared.

·                In response to a query regarding the commencement date for the programme to repair potholes Councillor Haslam advised that work had commenced and she would ask for a timetable for specific areas.

3.

Feedback from Meeting on 27 March 2018 pdf icon PDF 500 KB

Copy Minute from meeting on 27 March 2018 attached.

Minutes:

The Chairman summarised the feedback which had been received.  In response to the query regarding the renovation of the monument at the source of the Tweed, Councillor Anderson advised that she had visited the site with officers and Tweedsmuir Community Council were assisting with gathering funds to allow for further improvements.

4.

Theme: Quality of Life

A facilitated discussion on the subject in order to put forward a set of initial outcomes for Tweeddale. Further information on local data and statistics.

Minutes:

4.1       The Chairman advised that the initial presentations would be broken into two parts and he then introduced Margaret Smail from the Community Learning and Development Service and Lisa Denham from Live Borders.  Margaret Smail advised that her service aim was all about improving the quality of life for individuals and communities as a whole.  In a time of limited resources the key was partnership working to help address inequalities.  She also co-ordinated the Tweeddale Community Learning Partnership who were identifying the priorities for the area based on a combination of data and speaking to people.  There were both Youth and Adult learning teams.  There was an officer based at Peebles High School who engaged with young people and helped take learning out into the community.  This was very successful for those who did not respond to traditional learning methods.  In respect of adult learners the main issues being addressed were literacy and IT skills.

 

4.2       Lisa Denham advised on the work of Live Borders in the Tweeddale Area.  The Tweeddale Arts Strategy was very successful and allowed significant funding to be obtained.  There was a Cultural Forum which met and the next meeting in Tweeddale would be held on 26 November in the Eastgate Theatre.  She also commented on the success of the Peebles Library which had the highest lending rate in the Scottish Borders.  There were a number of other activities run by the Library which included a very successful Code Club for young people.  The Borders Science Festival was running throughout May and events in Tweeddale so far had been well supported.  Live Borders were also working closely with the Eastgate Theatre on their ambitious extension project.  Two new Arts posts were being funded and a consultation with young people was about to be launched as part of the Year of Young People.  She also commented on forthcoming events and the redesign of the Live Borders Website.

 

4.3       Shona Smith, Communities and Partnership Manager explained how the session would work and that there were information packs on each table.  Those present were invited to discuss and agree at their respective tables an answer to the question “What are the key challenges, issues or opportunities for quality of life in Tweeddale”.  The points identified were to be written down on the post-it notes provided and would be collated at the end of the discussion.  15 minutes was given for this first discussion. 

 

4.4       The Chairman introduced Inspector Tony Hodges from Police Scotland and Mike Jaffray, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Delivery Manager for the Scottish Borders.   Tony Hodges advised that the fundamental aim was to keep people safe.  The Local Police Plan covered the period until 2020 and contained the seven Local namely domestic abuse, road safety, violent crime, anti-social behaviour, drugs and alcohol misuse, protecting people and acquisitive crime. There was also strong links to the Council’s Safer Communities team. He highlighted the protection of vulnerable people which demanded the greatest part of police resources and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Other Business

Minutes:

The Chairman advised that there was no other business.

 

6.

Date of Next Meeting pdf icon PDF 412 KB

Wednesday, 5 September 2018 – venue to be confirmed.

Minutes:

The next meeting would be held on Wednesday, 5 September 2018 and the theme would be “Our Place”.  The venue for the meeting would be confirmed in due course.

 

 

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