Agenda and minutes

Councillor Edgar, Chairman, welcomed everyone to the Corn Exchange, Melrose for a meeting of the Eildon Area Partnership.

Copy of Minute attached

The minute of the meeting of Eildon Area Partnership held on 8 March 2018 had been circulated which included a summary of the discussion output as an appendix.  Colin Banks, Locality Development Co-ordinator, referred to the general concerns, issues, challenges and opportunities raised in relation to the theme of that meeting: Our Economy Skills and Learning.  He added that the feedback summary was also available on the SBC website.

A facilitated discussion on the subject in order to put forward a set of initial outcome(s) for Eildon - further information on local data and statistics

The Chairman referred to the main item on the agenda – discussion around the theme ‘Our Quality of Life’ - and introduced the key speakers who each gave a brief summary of the work, relevant to the theme, being carried out by their organisation/section.

3.1       Inspector Tony Hodges highlighted the commitment of Police Scotland as identified in the Local Police Plan 2017-20 for Scottish Borders. Following a consultation process there were seven Local Police Priorities identified which linked to the themes within the Scottish Borders Community Plan:- domestic abuse; road safety; violent crime; anti-social behaviour; drugs and alcohol misuse; protecting people (including child protection); and acquisitive crime (incorporating rural crime, doorstep crime, housebreakings and thefts). Police had strong links to the Council’s Safer Communities team with proactive campaigns such as Drivewise Borders and Crucial Crew.   Inspector Hodges also drew attention to the recent launch of the new seven-strong Community Action Policing Team, partly funded by an investment of £282,000 from Scottish Borders Council, who would provide a dedicated community resource which would specifically target issues such as anti-social behaviour and on-street parking. 

3.2       Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager, Michael Jaffray, made reference to the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for the Scottish Borders which was included in the paperwork provided on the tables. In particular he drew attention to the focus on helping people feel safer in their homes and on the roads.  The service would work with local communities to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and to build community resilience against extreme weather events such as flooding.  Action Plans were being developed to address key priority areas in the Scottish Borders.  Mr Jaffray referred in particular to the aim to reduce unwanted fire alarm signals, where there was no fire but an automated fire alarm system was activated.  This currently accounted for over 65% of emergency response activity across the Scottish Borders. Mr Jaffray concluded by emphasising that the service wanted to work closely with communities and would welcome comments from local residents.

3.3       Museum, Galleries and Archives Manager, Fiona Colton, provided information about the services managed by Live Borders relating to archives, art and live theatre.  There were three museums and galleries within the Eildon area.  Live Borders were keen to have input from young people in respect of heritage culture and worked closely with schools. Current work with communities was diverse and included input to the Great Tapestry project, tourism partnerships, programmes with young parents and babies, and provision of reminiscence resources to those suffering from dementia. Ms Colton added that the service produced over 50 exhibits and over 30 events each year and she was keen to hear from any organisation wishing to be involved.

3.4       Norrie Tait, from Scottish Borders Council, was in attendance to talk about the work of the Community Learning and Development Service and in particular the work being carried out with 11 – 25 year olds.  There were 3 Learning Communities in the Eildon area based around the secondary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Consider Note seeking approval for delegated powers for future applications for Small Scheme and Quality of Life projects within the Eildon area (copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of a note by the Service Director Assets & Infrastructure seeking approval from Eildon Area Partnership Elected Members for delegated powers for future applications for Small Scheme and Quality of Life projects within the Eildon Area. The note explained that Elected Members, Community Councils and the public could request potential Small Scheme or Quality of Life projects by contacting the Eildon Neighbourhood Area Manager direct.  To ensure applications were dealt with timeously - it was recommended that Members agreed to delegate authority to the Service Director Assets & Infrastructure to approve future applications in 2018/19, subject to the following:

(a)       Application(s) for projects to be carried out from Small Scheme and Quality of Life budgets would be received, assessed and costed by Council Officers;

(b)     Officers would then send details of the project(s) to Elected Members within the Eildon area along with a recommendation for their consideration;

(c)     Elected Members would advise appropriate Council Officers of their support or otherwise for a particular project – support would be required from a majority of Elected Members within Eildon for a project to proceed;

(d)     Should support by the majority of Members not be given for a project, this application would be refused; and

(e)     Details of projects funded from Small Scheme and Quality of Life budgets would be presented to the Eildon Area Partnership as part of any future updates on Grants and Funding. 

AGREED to delegate authority to the Service Director Assets & Infrastructure to allocate funds for Neighbourhood Small Schemes and Quality of Life projects in 2018/19, subject to consultation with all ten Eildon Members and approval by at least five Eildon Members.

13 September 2018

Discuss venue and time

The Chairman thanked those present for their attendance and advised that arrangements for the next meeting, on 13 September 2018, would be confirmed.