Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Via MS Teams

Contact: Fiona Walling  Tel: 01835826504 Email:  fwalling@scotborders.gov.uk

Link: Teams Live Event

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Meeting Protocols pdf icon PDF 799 KB

Attached: video conferencing – positive communication tips.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Eildon Area Partnership held remotely via Microsoft teams, which included elected Members, guests attending within the meeting and those watching via the Live Stream.  The Chairman went on to outline how the meeting would be conducted. He also drew attention to the document circulated with the agenda which provided links to additional information and updates, including current consultations; community information; and useful links to sources providing support and advice.

 

2.

Feedback and evaluation from meeting of 25 March 2021 pdf icon PDF 316 KB

Copy of Minute of 25 March 2021 attached. 

 

Link to evaluation - Eildon Evaluation 25th March

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Minute of the meeting of the Eildon Area Partnership held on 25 March 2021 had been circulated and was noted. With regard to the Locality Plan Priority relating to accessibility and reliability of transport services, the Chairman advised that the Localities Transport Officer would be in attendance at future meetings.

 

3.

Place Making - Co-Producing the Future of our Places pdf icon PDF 434 KB

Interactive Session facilitated by Scottish Futures Trust.

 

 

This conversation seeks to build on the energy of communities and local responses to Covid, and engaging with developing national policy on the importance of ‘place’ to support people to live better locally. It is an interactive, facilitated session, focused on local experience and insights, to begin the process of working out the best way to work together to shape the future of our places on shared priorities (copy of document attached).

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of 25 March 2021, the Chairman introduced Diarmaid Lawlor, from Scottish Futures Trust, to facilitate a brief workshop around Place-Making.  This was a follow-up to the presentation given at the last Area Partnership meeting which followed the report to Council in February, outlining a proposed approach to Place-Making. The Chairman explained that Mr Lawlor, who had a broad experience of working with other communities elsewhere in Scotland, was assisting us to develop our arrangements in the Borders.  From an understanding of local need and ambition, and using Covid learning, there was an opportunity for a different way of working between communities and public agencies. A ‘place based’ approach sought to co-produce an understanding of local priorities and co-deliver action. The format for the workshop was based on three questions around: ambition and key issues in the community; success criteria; and principles – how we could better work together.   Mr Lawlor led the discussion and made real-time notes to summarise the comments and points made.  There was enthusiastic engagement in the conversation from those present at the meeting, the main areas of conversation focusing on equity and opportunity; involvement of young people; sustainability; and the importance of reflecting and building on the beauty within our communities and area. Mr Lawlor advised that the note, summarising the key points of the discussion, would be circulated following the meeting and it was agreed that it also be attached as an appendix to the Minute. The Chairman explained that a summary of the workshop discussions across all the area partnerships would inform a report to Council at the end of August to set out the detail of the place-making approach.  Subject to Council approval the first place-making events would begin in Autumn of this year.  Locality Development Co-ordinator, Kenny Harrow, added that, if there were further comments or thoughts that occurred after the meeting, these should be passed on to him for inclusion in the notes.  The Chairman thanked Mr Lawlor for his excellent facilitation and for all those who had taken part in the discussion.

4.

Area Partnership Consultation

Details of how to access the consultation:

 

Area Partnerships - next steps - Scottish Borders Council - Citizen Space

 

 

Minutes:

With reference to previous discussions around the review of Area Partnerships, Mr Harrow, drew attention to the Area Partnership consultation which was ongoing and referred to the link to the consultation that was included within the agenda.

 

5.

Eildon Community Assistance Hub

Oonagh McGarry – written update available from the Additional Information document (see Item 1(a) above).

Minutes:

Mr Harrow gave a brief update and explained that a written summary of recent activity within the Eildon Community Assistance Hub was included in the additional information document circulated with the agenda.

 

6.

Community Fund Working Group update / proposals pdf icon PDF 99 KB

Update from the working group/ SBC Officer on proposals for the Eildon Community Fund 2021/22 (copies of documents attached).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 25 March 2021, the Chairman explained that, as agreed at that meeting, a working group had been set up and been meeting weekly to develop new proposals for the operation of the Eildon Community Fund.  Membership of the group was as follows: Jenny Mushlin; Francois Du Plessis; Jim Johnston; Pauline Grigor; Ben Maclean; Susan Hunter; and Councillors Aitchison, Edgar and Thornton-Nicol.  A summary of the proposals was presented as follows: grants up to £15,000 assessed quarterly; un-constituted body micro grants up to £1,500 assessed monthly; assessment panel comprising 2 members from each area and 3 elected Members; simplified criteria and conditions; simplified reporting requirements; and a simplified application form. The Chairman asked for comments and views on the group’s proposals and also made reference to the draft documents circulated with the agenda, which included: a sample application form; guidance notes; proposals for the formation and recruitment of an assessment panel; and an assessment sheet setting out eligibility and assessment criteria.  In a discussion of the proposed changes to the Community Fund and draft documents, Members of the Area Partnership were happy with the proposals apart from one element in relation to the maximum amounts that un-constituted groups could apply for.  After discussion it was suggested that the maximum grant that an un-constituted group could apply for be £5,000, rather than £1,500 which had been proposed by the working group.   In summary:

·         Constituted groups could apply for up to £15,000

·         Un-constituted groups could apply for up to £5,000

·         Smalls grants of £1,500 and under would be assessed on a monthly basis

·         An assessment panel was proposed for Eildon

Subject to this one amendment, there was unanimous agreement that the working group proposals and draft documents be put forward for formal approval.  Councillor Parker thanked the working group for all their hard work in putting together these proposals and draft documents.

 

7.

Eildon Community Fund pdf icon PDF 875 KB

Copies attached of Eildon Funding Summary 2020/21, Eildon Funding Table 24 June 2021 and copies of the following applications/assessments:

  • Oxton Memorial Hall
  • Beyond Earlston
  • Melrose RFC
  • Galashiels Academy Pupil Council

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Assessments of four applications to the Eildon Community Fund had been circulated, plus a summary of grant funding within Eildon in 2021/22 and the source of that funding. Mr Harrow referred to the summary which showed grant applications awarded, those under assessment and those to be considered by the Area Partnership.  He advised that if the pending applications were approved there would still be a balance of £46,483.21 in the Eildon pot for distribution.  Before giving consideration to the four following applications, Mr Harrow gave a summary of each and confirmed that each met the Community Fund criteria.

 

7.1     Oxton War Memorial Hall

            The application under consideration was a request for £30,000 to update Oxton War Memorial Hall to create a village hub.  This would result in modernising the current hall and extending the community facilities on offer, with the aim of incorporating a permanent home for the Oxton Community Shop as an anchor tenant. The group aimed to provide a focal point to the town and create a modern community hub.  Money would be used to support the development of the kitchen and toilet facilities, making these spaces accessible for all.  The total expenditure for the project was £469,000.  After consideration the request for £30,000 was approved in full.

 

7.2       Beyond Earlston

            The application from the Youth Work Services group Beyond Earlston was for a grant of £12,460 to cover the cost of employing a lead Outdoors Youth Worker who would be supported by the existing staff team and volunteers.  This would be a new staffing position that would be for 20 hours per week over 50 weeks.  In the application it was explained that the recruitment of an Outdoors Youth Worker was required as Beyond Earlston did not currently have any staff members with the skills or experience in delivery of physical activity sessions or specific outdoor activities.  The request for £12,460 was approved in full.

 

7.3       Melrose RFC

            Melrose Rugby Football Club was applying for a grant of £4,000 to appoint a consultant to help support the organisation to develop a Business and Fundraising Plan.  With the support of a consultant the club hoped that the Business and Fundraising Plan would lay out a process for providing a sustainable future which would provide benefit to the local community, both in terms of health and wellbeing and economically.  It was explained that, in 2016, members of Melrose RFC opted to move operational activities to the newly formed Melrose Rugby Limited (MRL).  Melrose RFC however remained as a constituted organisation and it was for Melrose RFC that the Business Plan and Fundraising Plan aimed to be created. In a discussion about this application there was some disquiet expressed and opinions were divided about whether it should be approved. However, it was pointed out and agreed that Melrose RFC, rather that MRL represented the legacy and community arm of the club.  After further discussion, Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor Edgar moved that the application be approved.  Councillor Anderson moved as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Eildon Community Fund evaluations pdf icon PDF 677 KB

Stable Life (copy of project evaluation attached).

Minutes:

Mr Harrow referred to the Community Fund Evaluation form provided by Stable Life, which had been circulated with the agenda.  Stable Life, who had been awarded a grant of £20,000 from the Community Fund, gave detailed information of the impact of the funded project in terms of activities over the past year and outcomes met by the programmes offered to young people in the area.

 

9.

For noting: SBC Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund

Link to new fund being launched 01 June 2021 below:

 

Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund | Scottish Borders Council (scotborders.gov.uk)

 

 

 

Minutes:

Mr Harrow drew attention to the recently launched “Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund” – a one-off £500k fund established as part of the Council’s response and recovery efforts relating to COVID-19.  The fund, which would be open to applications until 31 May 2022, would be available for one-off new initiatives and projects and divided between the five localities.  Assessments of applications would be undertaken by the Communities and Partnership Team and presented to the relevant Area Partnership for decision making. Mr Harrow invited any groups requiring assistance with an application to contact him at Kenny.Harrow@scotborders.gov.uk

 

10.

Dates of future Eildon Area Partnership meetings

Are there any items you would like to schedule for future meetings?  For example:

 

9 September 2021

Budget

11 November 2021

Winter maintenance

10 February 2022

Locality Plans

 

Please contact your local Elected Member or Communities and Partnership Team with your suggestions - communityengagement@scotborders.gov.uk

 

Minutes:

The dates of the next three meetings of Eildon Area Partnership are 9 September 2021, 11 November 2021 and 10 February 2022.  The Chairman asked for any suggestions of agenda items to be sent to a local elected Member or the Communities and Partnership Team at communityengagement@scotborders.gov.uk

 

11.

Any other Formal Business

Minutes:

There was none.

 

12.

Open Forum

Minutes:

Mr Harrow raised awareness of the Tour-o-the-Borders event taking place on 5 September 2021 on closed roads.  It would start in Peebles and basically follow the route taken over previous years, along the B712/A701/A708, past Talla reservoir, Megget and St Mary’s Loch. This was a participation event for cyclists of all levels. The Council wished to engage with the general public about the event via a Citizens Space Survey, during July, which could be accessed from the following link:

https://scotborders.citizenspace.com/economic-development-emergency-planning-and-communications/tour-o-the-borders-2021/start_preview?token=b67bf83f95fe97b8c6d2dc7160e9cf78068e4f30

 

13.

Meeting Evaluation

Minutes:

Mr Harrow reminded those present about the meeting evaluation form which could be accessed via the link https://forms.office.com/r/Dub34x555k .  He added that feedback about the Area Partnership meetings was really helpful and was always appreciated. 

 

CHAIRMAN

The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting.

 

 

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