Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Assembly Hall, Peebles High School, Springwood Road, Peebles

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

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Introductions

Minutes:

The Chairman, Councillor Tatler, welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Tweeddale Area Partnership and outlined the programme for the evening.

 

2.

Inspire Learning

An opportunity to see what it will look like and understand how it will benefit all teachers and pupils across the Scottish Borders. (20 mins)

Minutes:

Inspire Learning Consultant, Andrew Jewell, was in attendance to give a presentation on the Inspire Learning Programme being implemented by Scottish Borders Council, which would transform teaching and learning in schools to the benefit of all pupils and teachers. A key part of the Digital Learning Strategy, the programme was a £16m investment in a world-class digital learning environment for all pupils.  It included plans for Apple iPads to be provided to all P6-S6 pupils and shared devices at a ratio of one for every five P1-P5 pupils.  Mr Jewell, gave a practical demonstrate of how the iPads could be used in the classroom.  Volunteers were invited to join in a mock classroom interactive exercise using the iPads provided on the tables.  Mr Jewell explained how teachers could maintain control through the facility to lock and unlock the iPads and demonstrated how they would be able to view any iPad in the class, project work onto a screen and provide instant feedback.  The iPads allowed teachers and parents to view live examples of pupils work and provide useful and timely feedback.  In response to questions regarding the upskilling of teachers, Mr Jewell advised that it was essential that teachers felt supported and highlighted the various types of support and training which would be available.  Mr Fagan, Depute Headteacher at Peebles High School advised that there would be ring-fenced development time to ensure that teachers were fully prepared.  Questions on why iPads were chosen and the ability of school infrastructure including the ability of the Wi-Fi to cope were also answered.

 

3.

Public Play Facilities Strategy - Tweeddale pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Update on the programme of work delivering a strategic network of outdoor community spaces, including current planned investment and recommendations on obsolete play areas.  (Copy attached.) (20 mins)

Minutes:

3.1         There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Assets & Infrastructure setting out guidance and recommendations for the Tweeddale Area for future investment in Public Play facilities and proposals for the removal of obsolete play areas.  The proposals referred to were agreed as part of the Council’s 2018/19 Capital Investment Plan and updated within the Capital Investment Plan of 2019/20.  The Neighbourhood Operations Manager, Jason Hedley, was in attendance at the meeting to present the report and to ask for feedback from communities on the proposals.  Mr Hedley explained that the 2019/20 Capital Investment Plan had funding of £5.036m for investment within Outdoor Community Spaces over the next 10 years.  This presented a tremendous asset for communities, but also brought a maintenance burden, for which no additional revenue resources were being provided.  As part of the original investment within the 2018/19 Capital Investment Plan, it was simultaneously agreed by Council to review the distribution of play equipment provision across play parks in the Borders, which could:

 

·                inform decision making around future investment in communities; and

·                guide the rationalisation of obsolete play facilities which were deemed no longer fit for purpose, ensuring a cost neutral impact on established budgets with the service.

 

The removal of obsolete facilities was required to ensure there was a cost neutral impact on established budgets within the service. 

 

3.2         Mr Hedley explained that the Scottish Borders currently had 243 play parks, including those located within schools, ranging from smaller local areas for play (LAPs) to strategic destination play parks.   In comparison with other Local Authorities in Scotland who had similar characteristics, the Scottish Borders had significantly more play parks per head of population than the average; however, the average play value of the facilities (i.e. quality of provision) was significantly lower than the national average.   In recent years a more significant level of investment in play across the Scottish Borders had been delivered through the Council’s capital programme supplemented by a range of different opportunities that have been realised by community led initiatives.  These were shown in an appendix to the report and included, most recently, facilities in Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick and in the Public Park, Galashiels.  The strategy was to now provide further additional high quality facilities in a range of other locations across the region.  Alongside these strategic sites, the Council was committed to reviewing the wider network to ensure that local play provision continued to best serve communities. The review had considered Play Value (a standard assessment based on Fields in Trust criteria); In-house inspection; and proximity to other similar or better facilities. As a result of the assessment, 74 play parks had been identified as meeting the criteria for being decommissioned, of which elven were within the Tweeddale area and listed in the report. 

 

3.3         Mr Hedley responded to questions and noted feedback from those present at the meeting and advised that he was happy to have further discussions with community councils.  Councillor Bell proposed that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Feedback from Meeting on 27 March 2019 pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Copy Minute from meeting on 27 March 2019. (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

The Minute of the meeting of the Tweeddale Area Partnership held on 27 March 2019 had been circulated and the Chairman highlighted the main points raised.

 

5.

Rural Transport: Area Partnership Priorities

An opportunity for the Area Partnership to discuss specific rural transport related issues and priorities that should be raised at a planned rural transport conference (28 June 2019).(20 mins)

Minutes:

The Communities and Partnership Manager, Shona Smith advised that a Rural Transport Conference was being held at Council Headquarters on 28 June.  It was appreciated that not everyone would be able to attend so those present were to take part in a round table discussion so that their views and any specific rural related issues and priorities identified could be raised at the conference on behalf of the Tweeddale Area Partnership. A template to aid the discussion and on which points could be recorded were provided.  Flyers for the conference were also placed on each table and Ms Smith encouraged people to register to attend.

 

6.

Off Street Parking in Peebles

Consider formation of sub-group.

Minutes:

The Chairman proposed that a group be set up to review the current off street parking arrangements in Peebles and that if other Members supported this proposal a draft remit would be brought for approval to the next Area Partnership meeting.  Members discussed the suggestion with input from those present and agreed that this proposal be considered further after Members had the opportunity to reflect on the outcome of the previous review and information relating to the number of parking spaces, the pattern of usage and the income gathered. 

7.

Nominations for SBC Elected Member for the Community Council Scheme Review Working Group

Minutes:

Nominations were invited for an Elected Member from the Tweeddale Area to join the Community Council Scheme Working Group.  Councillor Chapman, seconded by Councillor Anderson, nominated Councillor Haslam and this was unanimously approved.

 

8.

Tweeddale Community Fund 2019-20 Applications pdf icon PDF 127 KB

Tweedlove Trails.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

8.1       An explanation of the SBC’s Community Fund application process was included on the tables.  This was a fund available to community and voluntary groups to help support community activity.  Grants of up to £5k for non-constituted group and £10k for constituted groups were available.  In exceptional cases up to £30k was available for constituted groups.  Applications submitted to SBC were assessed by the Communities and Partnership team and if they met the fund criteria, would go forward to Area Partnership meetings with an Officer recommendation.  Assessments would be included in future agenda papers and those who attended the Area Partnership meetings would be asked if they agreed with the recommendation made by the SBC Officer.  It was noted that where consensus could not be reached the Chairman would have the casting vote.

 

8.2       Tweedlove Trails

            An application from Tweedlove Trails for funding of £4500 had been circulated.  This funding had been requested to fund a range of activities including a Pump Track and a Demo Fun Loop at the Transcend Bike Festival 2019 for younger people on a free or subsidised level.  Those present agreed to support the application and that the funding be provided.

 

9.

Tweeddale Small Scheme Projects pdf icon PDF 88 KB

Consider Note by Service Director Assets and Infrastructure.  (Copy attached.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

9.1       There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Assets & Infrastructure seeking approval from Members for delegated powers for future applications for small schemes projects.  Members agreed that they would not grant such delegation and that all projects should be brought to Area Partnership meetings for approval, as had been the practice during the current Council term.

 

9.2       A list of projects was circulated and the Assistant Neighbourhoods Manager, Neil Pringle, provided details of each of the proposals and answered Members questions.  The projects detailed in the table below were approved.

 

Location

Proposal

Estimated cost

Broughton

Broughton in Bloom have requested an outside tap at the Public Toilets – for their use when watering their bedding plants etc.

£385.00

Innerleithen

Several requests for a further 8 bollards on various locations on Innerleithen Peebles Road, Innerleithen. 6 outside the Bank of Scotland cash machine and continuing the line at the West end of the street, also 2 just past the butchers.

£1800.00 x 6 at Bank £600.00 x 2 outside the Butchers

 

Clovenfords

Caddonfoot Church - A mini screed measuring 7m x 3.2m from the main A707 road up the Church driveway, which would take in the cluster of potholes.

£1770.00

Innerleithen

Supply materials and fix in place benches/seats in 2 bus stops in Innerleithen.

Approx. £350 per seat

Innerleithen

Paint railings at east end of high street, Innerleithen including section on bridge.

£1488.00

 

Peebles

Railings on Edinburgh Road, There is about 27M of railing that area unsafe and not fit for purpose. Repair and paint railings.

£2,167.44

St Ronan’s

Mark yellow lines on the Netball Pitch at St Ronan’s PS

£450.00

Peebles

Drop kerb – Resident at 11 Drovers Way. EH45 9BN. A request for a drop-kerb on their drive on the basis that his daughter uses a wheelchair and it is difficult to bump over it. They currently use their neighbour’s path and drive to get on the main road at the top of their cul-de-sac.

£3,200

(subject to attempts to reduce cost)

Newlands Cemetery

Purchase supply and the delivery of 25 tonne of 6mm whin chips to the drive at Newlands Cemetery. Volunteers will spread the chips.

£675.00

           

 

10.

Open Forum

Opportunity to raise local matters.

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 7.2 of the Minute of 27 March 2019, Councillor Anderson advised that PC Marker had provided information regarding the types of speed gun.  There was a wide interest amongst Community Councils in the Tweeddale Area.

 

11.

Other Business

Minutes:

No matters were raised.

12.

Dates of Future Meetings

The scheduled meeting dates for 2019/20 are:-

 

Wednesday, 28 August 2019

Wednesday, 6 November 2019

Wednesday, 22 January 2020

Wednesday, 25 March 2020

Wednesday, 17 June 2020

Minutes:

It was noted that the proposed dates were unsuitable for certain Community Councils and it was agreed that the dates be reviewed.

 

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