Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the second meeting of the Tweeddale Area Partnership held via Microsoft Teams and outlined how the meeting would be conducted and how those both in the meeting and watching via the Live Stream could take part.

Copy Minute from meeting on 3 November 2020 . (Copy attached.)

2.1       The Minute of the meeting of the Tweeddale Area Partnership held on 3 November 2020 had been circulated and this was noted.  Councillor Tatler advised that the Parking Working Group had not been able to progress due to the current Covid-19 restrictions but would recommence its work as soon as circumstances allowed.

2.2       Kenny Harrow gave an update on the work of the Community Hub and advised that the Hub had become busier again with mental health issues being a major problem.

Recommendations proposed from Tweeddale Area Partnership to be considered for public consultation.  (Summary of reports attached.)

3.1       There had been circulated a summary of the main points in the report which had been considered by Council.  Councillor Tatler advised that he had held 3 drop in sessions via zoom and had also received some feedback via email.  He shared the responses that he had received, a copy which are appended to this Minute.  Councillor Tatler also commented on the ideas which had been drawn up by the Teviot & Liddesdale Area Partnership and asked those present for any comments either at the meeting or to be submitted to him by the end of March.

3.2       In response to questions regarding the group set up to review the Community Council Scheme it was explained that representatives had been drawn from each area and the Group was due to meet again later this week.

3.3       With regard to the Community Fund it had been suggested that each area should set their own criteria and set their own local priorities.  Shona Smith explained the short-listing process and the timescale needed to bring requests forward for consideration.  The need for equality between communities of different populations was highlighted.  It was explained that at present all applications were brought forward for consideration and those present were asked if there was any other information or supporting documents they would like to see as part of the application process.  It was considered that the current information provided was sufficient with a statement regarding whether or not the criteria had been met.

Consider application from Peebles Railway Heritage.  (Copy Community Fund Table and application assessment attached.)

4.1       With reference to paragraph 3.2 of the Minute of the meeting held on 3 November 2020, there had been circulated copies of the funding request from Peebles Community Trust on behalf of Peebles Railway Heritage seeking funding of £6,615 to fund consultancy costs and building repairs.  The additional information requested at the last meeting had now been provided and Malcolm Bruce spoke in support of the application and answered questions regarding community engagement and the need to treat wet rot in the building.  It was agreed that the request for funding be approved.

4.2       A paper showing the current position of the Tweeddale Fund had also been circulated and in response to a question Shona Smith advised that o decision had been taken regarding the positon of any underspend and if it would be carried forward into the next financial year.  She encouraged groups to submit applications and the Chairman advised that he would be able to clarify the budget position at the next meeting.

4.3       An evaluation form in respect of previous grants to the Newlands Community Development Trust and information on the Tweeddale Youth Action Cookery sessions had been circulated for information.  Dave Hodson advised that the Cookery Session project was still ongoing and he would provide further detail in due course.  On-line cookery session had proved very popular during lockdown with 35-40 ingredient bags being issued each week and this would continue until the funding ran out.  In response to a question he confirmed it was mainly high school age children and following a social work referral was able to help with a particular case of social isolation.  The Chairman suggested that a further funding application could be made and asked that Dave get in touch with Kenny Harrow.

4.4       In response to a question if any unspent funds could be used to provide better digital connections as home learning was totally dependent on a good wi-fi connection.  Councillor Haslam advised that mi-fi hubs were being provided for those with a poor connection and asked anyone with difficulties to get in touch.  It was noted that Scottish Government had provided funding to some Tweeddale Groups to help with this issue for older and disabled people.

(a)     Scottish Borders Budget Challenge - closes 31 January 2021: https://scotborders.prioritysimulator.com/

(b)     Licensing of Sexual Entertainment Venues – closes 14 February 2021

          https://scotborders.citizenspace.com/regulatory-services/licensing-of-sexual-entertainment-venues/

The Chairman highlighted the following consultations which were currently open:-

·                Scottish Borders Budget Challenge - closes 31 January 2021: https://scotborders.prioritysimulator.com/

·                Licensing of Sexual Entertainment Venues – closes 14 February 2021

https://scotborders.citizenspace.com/regulatory-services/licensing-of-sexual-entertainment-venues/

(a)     The Tweeddale Community Fund for 2020/21 is open - guidance and application form is on SBC website: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20076/community_grants_and_funding/261/community_fund

(b)     Tweeddale Locality Plan & Action Plans - these plans are now published and outline the priorities of the Tweeddale area and could be the focus of a future Area Partnership meeting: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/download/1310/locality_plans

(c)     Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 – There are no formal Participation Requests being considered within Tweeddale. The two Asset Transfer Requests reported at the last meeting are progressing but are yet to be validated.  Further information can be found here: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20062/strategies_plans_and_policies/357/community_empowerment_scotland_act_2015Fit for 2024 – report outlining proposals for community engagement over future service delivery

The agenda detailed the following updates since the last meeting:-

·                The Tweeddale Community Fund for 2020/21 is open - guidance and application form is on SBC website: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20076/community_grants_and_funding/261/community_fund

·                Tweeddale Locality Plan & Action Plans - these plans are now published and outline the priorities of the Tweeddale area and could be the focus of a future Area Partnership meeting: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/download/1310/locality_plans

·                Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 – There are no formal Participation Requests being considered within Tweeddale. The two Asset Transfer Requests reported at the last meeting are progressing but are yet to be validated.  Further information can be found here: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20062/strategies_plans_and_policies/357/community_empowerment_scotland_act_2015Fit for 2024 – report outlining proposals for community engagement over future service delivery

The updates were noted.

Next Area Partnership is on 30^th March – are there any items you would like to propose for the agenda?  (Please contact your local councillor, Elected Member or the Communities & Partnership Team)

The next meeting was scheduled for 30 March 2021.

No items were raised.

Opportunity to raise local matters.

9.1       Kenny Harrow reminded everyone to submit any funding applications by mid-February to allow time to assess before the next meeting.

9.2       Kirsty Peebles asked for an update on the appointment of a project manager in respect of the provision of a multi-use path between Eddleston and Peebles.  Lawrie Hayworth advised that the Sustrans funding was being reassessed with discussions at Board level between Sustrans and SOSE.  Once the outcome was known the project could proceed as it was “shovel ready”

9.3       Esther Daborn raised, with reference to the future of Area Partnerships, that Community Councils did not know each other and asked if there could be stronger links which would allow better contributions at these meetings.  Shona Smith advised that there was a community council network and she would provide information on this.  Councillor Tatler advised that there had previously been a Tweeddale Community Council Network.  Kenny Harrow suggested the use of on-line platforms and that this could be discussed at the next meeting.  Lorna McCullough highlighted that the Teviot & Liddesdale Area already had a community council group to deal with windfarm applications in their area.  With regard to wind farm applications Malcolm Bruce advised that there were currently 2 pending which could have the potential to provide funding for the community of £0.5m per year and he was hoping the achieve a joint Community Council voice on this.  Kirsty Peebles suggested speaking to community councils who already had experience in this area.  This was considered a suitable item for further discussion at a future meeting.

9.4       Chris Lewin asked for an update of the site owned by the Council in Broughton which was earmarked for affordable Housing and Councillor Chapman undertook to check on this.

9.5       Lawrie Hayworth asked for a future agenda item to provide an update on Fit For 2024 and the impact on service delivery.