Agenda and minutes

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

1.2       Les Turnbull of Peebles Community Council had asked for an item on the future of the Community Fund to be included on the agenda.  Shona Smith advised that the paper had not yet been considered by Council but once this had happened the item could be discussed by the Area Partnership.  It was hoped that this could be included on the March agenda.  The Chairman reminded everyone that there were still funds available and encouraged applications to be made.  A request was made to include details of those applications which were rejected in future reports and this was agreed.

Copy Minute from meeting on 5 November 2019. (Copy attached.)

2.1       The Minute of the meeting of the Tweeddale Area Partnership held on 5 November 2019 had been circulated along with a summary of the discussion attached as an appendix to the Minute and the Chairman highlighted the main points which had been raised. 

2.2       With reference to paragraph 5.6 it was noted that Kenny Harrow was to meet with the young people from Walkerburn on Thursday to discuss what assistance might be available for their Youth Club.

2.3       The new “Ask Sara” website was highlighted.  This was an easy-to-use website available 24 hours a day, seven days a week which provided details of equipment and solutions that could make life easier for people requiring support.

2.4       With reference to paragraph 7, it was agreed that Councillors Tatler, Haslam and Small be the Council representatives on the Peebles Parking Working Group.

Update from Tim Stephenson, Passenger Transport Manager.

Following the presentation given at the meeting on 27 August 2019, Tim Stephenson advised that as part of the review of services across the Borders he could confirm that there would be no changes to services 91 and 93A.  However, they would be up for re-tender in 2 years’ time and he would arrange discussions between now and then to ascertain what people wanted these services to look like in the future.  He also reported on a recent meeting with communities in Clovenfords, Walkerburn and Innerleithen regarding a possible service to Galashiels at weekends.  A taxi service was one possible solution and further discussions would take place once community consultation had been carried out.  In response to a question Tim agreed that a solution for the service to Broughton was required and would be happy to help with pilot schemes.

Presentation by Changeworks followed by table discussion.

Action Plan Update

4.1       Copies had been circulated of the latest version of the Action Plan.  The document would be updated on an ongoing basis.  The Chairman advised that he had attended a recent meeting of the Tweeddale Access Panel and was happy to come along to any Group meeting.  With regard to the item under the Safer Communities Theme on the Men’s Shed it was noted that this was not open 7 days per week

            Environment & Place Theme

4.2       Morag Cockburn, Senior Project officer with Change Works in Peebles gave a presentation on the organisations that could support the Tweeddale Area Partnership in the realisation of the priorities:

Tackle fuel poverty. 

Improve awareness and access to information, support and resources to increase energy efficiency.

           The Change Works in Peebles project, funded by Scottish Government and run in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, could support householders and businesses to make energy efficiency improvements to their property. The project worked in close partnership with Home Energy Scotland and Resource Efficiency Scotland. Home Energy Scotland could assess householders for a range of funded programmes, including Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) and Warmer Homes Scheme and administer an interest free loan for self-funding households. The Changeworks Affordable Warmth team could also support the most vulnerable householders with an advocacy service to deal with suppliers for people around subjects like fuel debt and worked closely with CAB, NHS and Housing Associations. Further information could be found at  https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20011/housing_and_homeless/236/energy_saving_advice

4.3       Lesley Morrison of Tweed Green gave a presentation on the work of their group.  They were a voluntary group who were promoting a self-sustaining community.  They also worked with Change Works.  They operated the Tweeddale Wood Fuel Group which had a licence to collect wood.  They were involved in gardening and growing food and had produced a leaflet on gardens in Peebles and Innerleithen.  Their gardens could be used by heath care providers to help with social isolation, loneliness and dementia.  Their next big project “Plastic Free Peeblesshire” which aimed to eliminate plastic use and a directory of businesses who were supporting this project was about to be printed.  She also commented on a range of winter talks and encouraged people to come along.

4.4       Those present divided into three groups to discuss the various issues raised and a summary of these discussion is appended to the Minute.

(a)     Community Fund Information sheets attached.

(b)     Community Fund Assessments:-

          (i)      Tweed Wheels

          (ii)      Innerleithen Community Trust

          (Copies attached)

5.1       There had been circulated for information copies of the interim Community Fund overview map and the internal and external funding maps for Tweeddale.  It was reported that there was still £130k remaining in the fund for the current financial year. 

5.2       There had been circulated copies of applications from Tweed Wheels for a contribution of £10k towards a new minibus and Innerleithen Community Trust for a contribution of £5,427 towards new stacking seating for the Innerleithen Memorial Hall. Those in attendance agreed to approve both applications.

Opportunity to raise local matters.

6.1       Kirsty Peebles and James Taylor advised that they had received funding to employ a consultant for a period of 6 days to do work on the plans for Eddleston 2025.  They also commented on plans for a multi-use path linking Eddleston and Peebles.  This would help reduce the number of car journeys and link into the cycling and tourism markets.  The Community Council were also supporting the proposal by Barony Castle to build Eco lodges.

6.2       In response to a request for an update on pothole repairs, Councillor Haslam undertook to send the schedule of works for the year to all Community Councils.  She also encouraged those present to report any potholes and suggested that people use the “Fixmystreet” app as a reporting tool.

Annual Participation and Asset Transfer Reports attached.

A copy of the List of Participation and Asset Transfer requests received during 2018/19 had been circulated for information.  Shona Smith asked that anyone with questions regarding participation requests or Asset Transfers get in touch.

The next meeting of the Tweeddale Area Partnership would be held on Tuesday, 24 March 2020.  The venue had originally been set as the MacFarlane Hall but it was agreed to move to the Peebles High School and bring the meeting time forward to 4.30 pm to encourage pupils to attend and that they, or anyone else in the Community be asked to put forward agenda items to Kenny Harrow in the C&P Team.  The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.