Agenda and minutes

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

Update from Julie’s Kitchen Garden Project. (15 mins)

The Chairman welcomed Julie Smith, Cook at Clovenfords Primary School and Anne Wilson the Chair of the Parent Council.  They had been successful in obtaining funding in round 1 of the Locality Bid Fund for the “Julie’s Kitchen Garden” project at the school.  Julie had developed the idea of getting the children involved in growing vegetables.  They had started with potatoes but the project had gone from strength to strength when the funding had been received.  Donations had also been received from local businesses and a Tutor from Borders College had provided advice.  Community involvement was also imported and a “Friends of the Garden” had been set up.  Julie and Anne answered questions and in response to a question about the future it was noted that further funding would be achieved from the sale of pickles, jams and chutneys.

There had been circulated copies of a paper by the Service Director Assets and Infrastructure seeking approval for the proposals detailed in the Appendix to the report and that delegated powers be given to officers to approve future applications when a decision was required between meetings of the Area Partnership, subject to certain qualifying criteria.  The Councillors present approved the list of Schemes and the proposed delegated approval process.

Copy Minute from meeting on 12 June 2019. (Copy attached.)

The Minute of the meeting of the Tweeddale Area Partnership held on 12 June 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. 

(a)       Economy, Skills & Learning: transport networks and connections within Tweeddale – update on Scottish Borders Transport Conference from Timothy Stephenson, Passenger Transport Manager, SBC, and options going forward (30 mins)

(b)       Discussion re potential options/solutions/actions (45 mins)

Transport Networks and Connections within Tweeddale

4.1       Councillor Tatler introduced Tim Stephenson and John Dellow who were responsible for the Council’s involvement in public transport across the region.  Shona Smith explained that following the identification of public transport being identified as a key priority actions now needed to be agreed.  Tim Stephenson gave a presentation on bus services in the Tweeddale Area.  He advised that local bus services were not a statutory requirement and were currently subsidised at a cost to the Council of £1.5m per annum.  £200k of savings had been made in 2018 and a further £85k in 2019 without further cuts to bus services.  However, a budget saving of £165k was needed in 2020 so some innovative thinking was required so that rather than cut services alternative models could be identified.  He identified under-performing routes in the area and advised that some tough decisions would be needed.  He was attending all area partnerships to talk about transport and later in the year Bus Users Scotland would be holding a large public consultation and work closely with communities to form a transport plan.  He highlighted some schemes in other areas which were working well and mentioned other non-bus related options.

4.2       Tim answered questions on his presentation and concerns regarding the level of savings were expressed.  Information on how services were tendered for was provided.  Shona Smith outlined how the round table discussions would be conducted with a template for each table to complete.  Tim and John would move round the tables and participate in the discussions.  At the conclusion of the discussion Shona advised that a summary of the information gathered would be circulated with the Minute and Tim encouraged everyone to engage with Bus User Scotland.

o      Interim Community Fund overview map

o      Internal & external funding maps for Tweeddale

o      Tweedsmuir Community Company Application

o      Walkerburn Bowling & Petanque Club (fast track application £275 – approved)

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 a fast track application for the sum of £275 had been approved for Walkerburn Bowling and Petanque Club.

5.2       There had been circulated an application from the Tweedsmuir Community Company seeking funding of £6,750 towards the design, production and erection of a series of 5 interpretation boards at the site of the Crook Inn, Tweedsmuir and 4 heritage talks/events.  This was part of a larger application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It was agreed to approve the application.

Suggestions/Proposals.

The Chairman advised that he was looking for ideas on how future meetings could be improved and what agenda items people might like included.  Various suggestions were discussed including an early budget briefing, the Local Development Plan and a presentation on SoSEP.  Ways to publicise meetings were also discussed.

Opportunity to raise local matters.

8.1       Laura Preston from Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels advised that Peebles was the latest target area and a public meeting would be held on 4 September in Peebles which she encouraged everyone to attend.

8.2       Tweedsmuir Community Council advised that they were not receiving Police reports and it was confirmed that other areas were having similar problems The Chairman advised that this was the responsibility of the Local Area Commander but he would also raise this with the Community Action Team.  Information on the work of the Community Action Team was available on the Councils website at https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/file/6753/q1_201920_community_action_team_summary

8.3       Joh Falla commented on the success of the “Tweedies” project and thanked Councillors for their assistance in allowing this to be set up.  He also raised the issue of flower planting for “Bonnie Peebles” next season. Councillor Haslam advised that the Council would be planting sustainable species but Community could do something different if they wished.  Councillor Anderson suggested that a funding application could be submitted.

8.4       Chris Lewin asked how he could be sure that the Locality Bid Fund was fair for the more rural areas.  Shona Smith advised that an evaluation was being prepared for Council and she would arrange for the full results to be circulated.

Tuesday, 5 November 2019 – venue to be agreed

The next meeting of the Tweeddale Area Partnership would be held on Tuesday, 7 November 2019.  The venue would be confirmed before the meeting.  The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.