Agenda and minutes

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

Menti feedback from meeting held on 23 August 2022. (Copy attached.)

Copy Minute from meeting held on 23 August 2022. (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of the Menti feedback and the Minute of the Meeting held on 23 August 2022.  Feedback was mostly positive.  Attendees were encouraged to provide agenda items for future meetings.

DECISION

AGREED the minute and feedback of 23 August 2022.

Tweeddale Citizens Advice Bureau – Gill Westwood.

Opportunity to discuss input from Tweeddale CAB. Provide update on other activities that are taking place across Tweeddale to support the cost of living.

3.1     Gill Westwood of Tweeddale Citizens Advice Bureau (TCAB) provided an update of activities taking place across Tweeddale to support the cost of living. She expressed her thanks to the Area Partnership for previous funding awarded during the pandemic which had enabled them to install a new telephone system and fund extra hours for their specialist debt advisor.

          It was noted that the TCAB was a small part-time team that consisted of 6 employees with specialist advisory roles, 9 volunteers and encouragingly, 5 new trainees. The serious hardship experienced by the community during and post pandemic had continued and was exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis.  There had been an increase in advice sought on matters around debt, employment and redundancy, relationship breakdown and domestic violence, all mainly rooted in hardship.  In the previous financial year (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022) TCAB worked with 1,084 clients and gave 3,387 pieces of advice.  Collectively, as a result of speaking to TCAB, clients were nearly £500,000 better off.  The advice provided was increasingly complex; issues were more protracted and often involved DWP, power companies and creditors, which has had an overall adverse impact on the TCAB team.

3.2     The previous month saw 120 clients and 240 pieces of advice given; this resulted in clients being £48,508 better off.  Referrals to the foodbank were fewer at 79 but this was attributed to people self-referring.  The resources that TCAB were offering (fuel vouchers, foodbank referrals, help with rent and fuel debt, SIM cards) were ‘sticking plasters’ and they continued to work with partners to find more long term solutions.  In response to a question about the impact of Ukrainian refugees approaching the TCAB for assistance, it was reported that the provision of SBC staff in the hotels had provided that help, meaning that the TCAB was not adversely affected.  It was noted the effectiveness of their having had information leaflets translated into Ukrainian and that other groups could consider following TCAB’s example.  Members were apprised of the Money Talk Team website as a useful money and debt advice resource.  In response to question regarding the fuel foundation, Ms Westwood explained that fuel vouchers were available. 

          DECISION

          NOTED the update and thanked the TCAB for their continued excellent work.

Update and future plans – Fiona Colton, Live Borders

4.1     Fiona Colton of LiveBorders provided an update and an overview of future plans.  On 15 November from 3:30-5:30pm and 6:30-8:30pm, there was to be a Community consultation event, presentation and a 45 minute behind scenes tour of the Chambers Institution building with an opportunity to feedback on plans for the development proposals.  Page/Park, project architects were due to then give a 30 minute presentation on the floorplan and options for building development. There was to follow a Q&A session and an opportunity for the public to give feedback and comment on the proposals.  Places were to be reserved via Eventbrite or by contacting the Peebles Library/Museum. The event was to be advertised in the library also.

4.2     On 27 November from 2-5pm there was to be an open day at the Burgh Hall to launch the mobile exhibition of the CIT development project proposals and floor plans.  Public feedback and community involvement was considered essential to determine how to improve access, current service provision and to contribute to the community and the life of the building.

4.3     It was reported that work was ongoing with the CIT and the Beneficiaries Group to put together a brief to present to an independent facilitator, with the Beneficiaries Group taking the lead on what the project will look like. Members were encouraged to publicise membership of the Beneficiaries Group as open to anyone in the locality and it was highlighted that the building was a Tweeddale facility.  All enquiries were to be directed to Kenny Harrow who advised that a meeting of the Beneficiaries Group was scheduled for 16 November to discuss the plan to remove the suspended ceiling.

          DECISION

          NOTED the update and thanked Fiona and the team for the work so far particularly in arranging the production of display resources at short notice

Consider progress report from Crick Carleton, Chair of Place Making Working Group.

5.1     Crick Carleton, Chair of Place Making Working Group provided an update of progress to date.  It was reported that there had been a lot of progress since the last meeting; ten communities were now interested in participating and developing their own place plans and some were in the early stages of forming a place making group. Eddleston and Walkerburn were in the early stages of community engagement while Peebles had completed much of the consultation. Members were reminded that communities should refer to their Local Development Plan and were also to consider longer term development of the settlement area during this place plan process.  Communities were not to rush their place plans; several years of funding would be available.  The processes for the disbursement of funds were in hand.

5.2     SBC had applied to various funding streams to resource the project and was awaiting approval in the next few weeks.  The following four needs had been identified:

          (i)           to get the community groups up and running with their place plans

          (ii)           help communities identify what they need, in order to brief consultants

          (iii)          help in contracting consultants

          (iv)         engaging investment planning consultants where appropriate

5.3     SBC had launched a tender process (closing date 14 November) to identify and recruit consultants on a 2 year + framework contract with a view to the communities drawing on these for assistance. It was suggested that Area Partnerships and Working Groups may want to have oversight in order to be satisfied that a place plan is imagined and written by the community to meet their needs and not outsourced to the consultant.

5.4     The Place Making Standard Tool that scaffolds groups through the community consultation process was to be further developed by the Scottish Government to address matters around the transition to Net Zero and climate change.  A ‘Climate Lense’ add-on was to be appended to the Tool to provide a climate change context when considering projects.

          Members were directed to ourplace.scot for useful resources and information.

5.5     In response to a question about transport between places, it was confirmed that transport was within the scope of the place plans. Settlements may decide to partner one another to address shared transport issues. A single issue that applied across the whole area could be addressed in a document separate to the place plan.

          DECISION

          NOTED the update and thanked Crick and his team for the tremendous work undertaken thus far

Copy attached.

There had been circulated copies of the Tweeddale Funding Table which showed available funds in the Tweeddale area.  The Neighbourhood Support Fund had £93,357 available at the start of the year less £32,485.68 awarded thus far.  If all applications totalling £24,631.29 were successful, funds of £36,240.03 would remain. Members were reminded that the Welfare Trust had a remaining balance of £2958.79 available to those disadvantaged through poverty, ill health, age etc.  Mr Harrow encouraged interested parties to contact him. 

Tweeddale assessment Panel to present funding recommendations for the following NSF applications:

·       Stable Life

·       Peebles Civic Society

·       Clovenfords & District CC

·       The Tweed Valley Cheyne Gang

·       Innerleithen Swap and Share

·       Social Make and Play

(Copy attached.)

          Ms Esther Daborn of the Tweeddale Assessment panel provided an overview of each of the applications.  Ms Daborn clarified that the Assessment Panel had carefully considered each application and that any conflicts of interest were declared during the Panel’s deliberations.  Following a report in the Peeblesshire News on 28 October 2022, Ms Daborn clarified that the Assessment Panel, made up of volunteers, existed only to provide recommendations to Elected Members on funding applications; final decisions on awards were taken by the Committee members and these decisions were not made in advance of the meeting.

          Mr Harrow pointed out that where an application was rejected, contact with the group was maintained to further support them with subsequent applications to either the NSF or a more appropriate fund.

7.1     Peebles Civic Society

          The project aimed to curate a digital archive based on recollections and ephemera of those who had worked in the Tweeddale woollen industry. It involved hosting blethering events to collect this material. The digital archive will be locally available on static machines and more widely available online in the long term. An initial pilot had been conducted to test the level of local interest. They had also established partnerships with other local history groups. This was a worthwhile and engaging project for the community. The costs were to cover video lighting equipment, microphones, reconditioned laptops from the Renew crew, Filemaker pro software, venue hire and exhibition materials. In the long term, the equipment would be available to other Tweeddale groups. The panel recommended that reference was made to the Borders wide nature of the woollen industry, with residual ongoing activities.  Councillor Tatler, seconded by Councillor Pirone, proposed that the application for funding was approved.  Members unanimously agreed to provide £4,326.29.

7.2     Tweed Wheels

          The Bridge Council for Voluntary Service requested £7,000 to make up the balance of the sum they had put aside previously for a new 17-seat minibus (£39,000) The minibus was needed now, otherwise they would have gone for an EV one that was able to take the wheelchair lift and was within the size range of their volunteer driver limit.  Members discussed the application, and highlighted the need for fairness and continuity in decision making.  Mr Harrow highlighted that the funding applied for would solely benefit users in Tweeddale, and that funds had been raised for a one off specific cost.   Councillor Small, seconded by Councillor Pirone, proposed that the application for funding was approved.  Members unanimously agreed to provide £7,000.

7.3     Stable Life

          Stable Life had requested £2,500 towards staffing costs for a structured programme that included Equine Assisted Therapy/Learning, riding lessons and psychosocial based interventions to vulnerable young people referred to them. They also offered transitional work placements for young people who would normally struggle in traditional work situations. They offered volunteering opportunities to the young people they have supported as well as to the wider community. The cost per child was £850. The amount requested was for 3% of 100 people who are referred  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Consider appointment to Peebles Parking Working Group.

8.1     The departure of Shona Haslam from SBC had created a vacancy on the Peebles Parking Working Group.   Councillor Tatler, seconded by Councillor Thomson, nominated Councillor Pirone. Councillor Pirone accepted the position.

8.2     It was agreed that the timing of the working group meetings be reviewed to allow all members of the working group to attend.  Councillor Tatler undertook to contact relevant group members.

          DECISION

          AGREED to appoint Councillor Pirone to the Peebles Parking Working Group.

Opportunity to raise local matters.

9.1     In response to a question regarding the proposed lighting of Eshiels Tunnel, it was confirmed that progress had continued. Mr Harrow undertook to investigate and provide an update.

9.2     In response to a question regarding a review of the timing of bus routes 101/102 it was confirmed that a review of the entire service and a new tender process was underway. SBC provided guidance on routes and timetabling, however the final decision lay with the bus company.  Councillor Thomson agreed to pass on comments and to check if it is indeed SBC who runs the current 101/102 service, as they did with route 91.

9.3     In response to a request a return to face to face meetings, it was agreed that the next meeting be held via Teams due to the time of year.

Mr Harrow encouraged attendees to complete meeting evaluation forms via the link in the chat.

Are there any items you would like to propose for the agenda? 

Please contact your local councillor or the Communities & Partnership Team