Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting and advised that there would be a presentation on improvements to Hawick Community Recycling Centre by Mr Ross Sharp-Dent, Waste Manager, Scottish Borders Council.  The presentation from Mr Ian Heard, Citizens Advice Bureau had been postponed to the January 2016 meeting.

The Chairman varied the order of business as shown on the agenda and the Minute reflects the order in which the items were considered at the meeting.

Minute of the meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum of 15 September 2015 to be approved. (Copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the meeting held on 15 September 2015.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute.

With reference to paragraph 6 of the Minute, the Chairman reminded Members to inform Mr Finnie of any signage that required maintenance. 

DECISION

NOTED.

Presentation by Ross Sharp-Dent, Waste Manager, Scottish Borders Council.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Cranston declared an interest in the following item of business in terms of Section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and left the room during the discussion.

Presentation – hawick community recycling centre

The Chairman welcomed, Mr Ross Sharp-Dent, Waste Manager, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) who was present at the meeting to provide an update on improvements to Hawick Community Recycling Centre.  Mr Sharp-Dent summarised the existing arrangements at the Recycling Centre which was presently divided into two:  the west side for community recycling and the east side for waste transfer.  Mr Sharp-Dent explained that SBC had considered various options when considering improvements to the site, including a split level design.  However, this had not been appropriate for various reasons. The skips would instead be accessed from elevated access platforms via two steps.  Installation of ramps had been considered at the design stage but this had not been possible.  Mr Sharp-Dent went on to highlight the improvements to the site: Expansion into the west side of the site would increase capacity.  A one way system would be introduced which would improve traffic and pedestrian management and reduce site closures.  The existing portal for residual waste would still be in place and there would be an additional concrete bay for scrap metal.  The site capacity would treble with four skips for garden waste, two for wood waste and one for paper and plastic. All the skips could be closed off which meant that they could be emptied without closing the site to the public.  Mr Sharp-Dent concluded the presentation by advising that the aim was to open the improved site by March/April 2016, there would be a period of time when the site would be closed but this would be well publicised.     In response to questions Mr Sharp-Dent acknowledged that waste would need to be brought to the site in smaller receptacles as the waste would be required to be lifted into the skips.  SBC staff would assist and provide guidance.  Prior to the opening there would be a media campaign to advise of the changes. There was capacity to adjust and expand the site at a later stage if required.   The drainage problem had been caused by a sediment trap which had now been cleared.   There would be no facility to dispose of tyres at the site, as this was not considered household waste and required an additional licence.    The public footpath had been moved to the west of the site.  Members welcomed the improvements to the site and benefits to the public with additional capacity and fewer site closures.  The Chairman thanked Mr Sharp-Dent for his attendance and presentation. 

DECISION

NOTED the presentation.

Susan Manion, Chief Officer, Health & Social Care Integration, will attend to answer any questions on the Health & Social Care Partnership Draft Strategic Plan which can be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/file/9708/integration_strategic_plan_2016-19-draft

The consultation questions and the web form can be accessed via

https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/site/xfp/scripts/xforms_form.aspx?formID=451&language=en

The Strategic Plan Summary 2016-19. (Copy attached).

Ms Susan Manion, Chief Officer, Health & Social Care Integration, Scottish Borders Council, was in attendance to answer questions relating to the Draft Strategic Plan which was currently out for consultation.  The Draft Strategic Plan was available on SBC’s website, and a shorter summary document had been circulated with the Agenda. Ms Manion explained that the Strategic Plan set out why there was a need to integrate health and social care services; how this would be done; and what was expected to be seen as a result.  Ms Manion highlighted that by the year 2032 the number of people over 65 was projected to increase by 51%. In comparison, the number of people age 16 to 64 was projected to decrease by 16%.    People were living longer and it was recognised that with age there was a higher incidence of people being admitted to hospital.  The way health and social care services were delivered needed to change due to increasing demand and pressure on limited resources.   The Strategic Plan recognised the huge part unpaid carers provided and included a specific objective around providing support to carers.  The Strategic Plan not only focused on older people, but people with mental health issues or learning disabilities who tended to have poorer health outcomes.  The Strategic Plan contained actions to address such issues.    Ms Manion continued that more people needed to be supported and cared for at home.  By shifting just 1% of the totality of spend of £250m from unplanned inpatient care towards community based care, resources could be used more effectively.   This would help investment in new integrated ways of working in terms of early intervention, reduction in hospital admissions and health inequalities. In response to questions Ms Manion advised that coordinated working with the voluntary sector such as the Red Cross and RVS was important to ensure sustainability.  People who worked in health and social care services had to be supported to continuously improve their skills and the care they provided.  In conclusion to the discussion the importance of taking the opportunity to respond to the consultation was emphasised.  The public engagement period ended on 11 December 2015 and a final draft of the Strategic Plan would be finalised in February 2016.  Health and Social Care Integration would go live in April 2016.   The Chairman thanked Ms Manion for her attendance and the report.

DECISION

NOTED.

Consider report by Service Director Neighbourhood Services. (Copy attached).

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Marshall declared an interest in the following item of business in terms of Section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and left the room during the discussion.

Neighbourhood Small Schemes and Quality of Life

There had been circulated copies of a report by Service Director Neighbourhood Services updating the Forum on previously approved Neighbourhood Small Schemes and seeking approval for provision a of picnic table within The Green Denholm Village; refurbishment of visitor information boards at Common Haugh Car Park, Hawick and grass cutting at The Moat, Hawick.  The following quality of Life Scheme had also been requested for consideration by the Forum: provision of timber fence at Escape Youth Centre, Hawick.  Mr Finnie, Neighbourhood Area Manager advised that upgrading the footpath at the Waverley Walk had been completed.  The goal posts for Green Terrace would be delivered this week and installed as soon as possible.   The refurbishment of the railings at Lothian Street was ongoing, with only a small section awaiting blacksmith repairs, which was scheduled for the spring 2016.

The Forum discussed grass cutting at The Moat.  Mr Finnie advised that the contractor had carried the works out at a reduced rate of £200 as he had been in the area carrying out works at Wilton Cemetery and had been anticipating downtime.   He would liaise with the contractor to see if it was possible to have a similar rate in the future for additional cuts.   In response to a question Mr Finnie advised that he would cost a replacement bench in Ettleton Cemetery, Newcastleton once the specification had been confirmed.      Future Hawick had identified car park signage as a project, the Road Safety and Traffic Management Team Leader would be investigating and report back.  Councillor Smith proposed that £2,000 of Hawick and Hermitage Qualify of Life funding be granted to Hawick Welcome Initiative for the next five years, in principle, which was agreed.  The Hawick and Denholm Ward councillors would also consider awarding a similar grant to the Initiative.  Councillor Cranston asked if maintenance of cemeteries was eligible for Quality of Life funding, Mr Finnie indicated that this would be appropriate and would liaise with Councillor Cranston out-with the meeting.

DECISION

(a)          AGREED the following new Neighbourhood Small Schemes for implementation:-

(i)            Provision of picnic table for Denholm Green                               £107

(ii)          Refurbishment of visitor information boards at

Common Haugh Car Park, Hawick                                               £1,718

(iii)         Grass cutting at The Mote, Hawick                                                 £200

(b)          AGREED the following new Quality of Life Scheme for implementation:-

(i)            Provision of timber fence at Escape Youth Centre, Branxholme

Road, Hawick                                                                                                £1,617

(ii)          To award Hawick Welcome Initiative £2,000 from the Hawick

and Hermitage budget allocation.                                                   £2,000

(c)          NOTED

(i)            the updates on previously approved Neighbourhood Small Schemes as detailed in Appendix A to the report;

(ii)          the updates on previously approved Quality of Life Schemes as detailed in Appendix B to the report; and

Consider proposed dates for 2016.  (Copy draft list attached).

There had been circulated copies of the proposed local public holidays for 2016 in Teviot and Liddesdale.

DECISION

AGREED to determine the Public Holidays for 2016 as set out in Appendix (i) to this Minute.

Update report by Police Scotland detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Teviot and Liddesdale area.

Sergeant Noble was in attendance and advised that the Police Scotland report focused on the ward priorities during September and October.  He highlighted that with regard to Drug Dealing and Misuse a number of stop and searches had been carried out and ten individuals had been reported for possession of drugs.  A Hawick man had been charged with supply of controlled substances after drugs had been recovered in the boot of a car in the Dumfries and Galloway area and controlled substances had also been recovered from a vehicle in the town.     Three house searches had been carried out under misuse of drugs warrants and a man had been charged with production of cannabis and possession of diazepam.     The Road Safety priority showed that 23 road checks had been carried out, 17 conditional offers were issued for speeding offences and one for failing to wear a seatbelt.  There had been a number of complaints regarding young drivers through various parts of the town, particularly the Common Haugh, a number of drivers had been approached.  Sergeant Noble discussed the Violent Crime priority and advised that during the period, there had been two serious assaults, one of which had occurred in licensed premises in the town.  With regard to Anti-Social Behaviour incidents, there had been 10 anti-social behaviour fixed penalty tickets issued.  Sergeant Noble went on to discuss the issue of Cybercrime which had become a problem in rural areas.   Sergeant Noble concluded his presentation by advising that in November and December there would be an increase in patrols by the community and locality school officers.  Police Scotland’s national festive safety campaign would launch on Wednesday, 18 November and focus on four strands: Online Safety, Shop Safety, Party Safety and Home Safety.  The Chairman thanked Sergeant Noble for the report.  

DECISION

NOTED. 

Update report by Russell Bell, Station Commander, detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Teviot and Liddesdale area. (Copy attached).

There had been circulated, copies of a report from Russell Bell, Station Manager, Hawick Fire Station, updating the Forum on Scottish Fire and Rescue activity for the month of October.  There had been two house fire occurrences – one kitchen and one chimney.  Six open fires - one field and five refuse/bin, all deliberate.  There had been three special services and 13 unwanted fire alarm signals.  Mr Bell went on to advise that Hawick had been chosen as a suitable location to trial the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service out of hospital cardiac arrest response.  Crews had received training, which had focused on cardio pulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator use, which would allow the Service to respond to local cardiac arrest emergencies.  Mr Bell concluded his report by advising that the autumn thematic plan was now active and would focus on: Student electrical and chimney safety, bonfire safety and older vulnerable persons.  In response to questions Mr Bell confirmed that training had been received in Level 2 water awareness.  Swift Water training was scheduled for January 2016.   The Chairman thanked Mr Bell for the report.

DECISION

NOTED.

Opportunity for members of the public to raise any issues not included on the agenda.

OPEN QUESTIONS

(a)          A question regarding the caravan park was raised, it was advised that officers were working on this project and an announcement would be made as soon as appropriate.  

(b)       There followed a discussion on repairs required to street lights, and Mr Finnie undertook to investigate out-with the meeting.  Councillor McAteer also advised that he would report the issue with the crossing at Victoria Road. 

decision

NOTED.

Consider matters of interest to Community Councils.

Mr Griffiths from Hobkirk Community Council advised that Hobkirk Primary School had been mothballed for a year.  The community council had been aware of the decline in pupil numbers at the school but were disappointed that they had not been involved in the consultation process.  They were concerned at the longer term impact closure of the primary school would have on the community.    Mr Griffiths continued that the community council had been approached by the South of Scotland National Parks and were considering their proposals.

Mr Knox from Hawick Community Council advised that they had received an informative presentation by the Project Manager on the Flood Protection scheme.  The Christmas lights had been installed, although there had been an issue with properties in the High Street failing the pull test.  The Christmas Parade had been scheduled for 28 November 2015, it was hoped that Members would act as Marshalls.   In respect of the Wilton Remembrance Garden project the Community Council were liaising with SBC for a licence to occupy the area.  Hawick CC were also liaising with Kelso councillors regarding a similar project in their community.

Tuesday, 15 December 2015 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall, Town Hall, Hawick.

The next meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum would be held on Tuesday, 15 December 2015 at 6.30 pm in Lesser Hall, Town Hall, Hawick.

DECISION

NOTED.