Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Thornton-Nicol, Councillor Linehan chaired the meeting.

The Chair 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. 

Minute of Meeting held on 26 January 2023. (Copy attached.)

Feedback of Meeting held on 26 January 2023. (Copy attached.)

The Minute of the meeting of the Eildon Area Partnership held on 26 January 2023 had been circulated and was noted.  The Community Co-ordinator, Mr Harrow, advised that following the focus on transport at the January meeting a meeting was to be held at 10 a.m. the following day to discuss transport in the Eildon locality.  The use of bikes was also being looked at and he invited those present to join him on a trip that was currently being planned in partnership with the Bike and Hike Hub, Galashiels.

Draft Health and Social Care Strategic Framework 2023-2026.

The Chair welcomed Ms Carol Hayden to the meeting.  Ms Hayden gave a presentation on the ongoing engagement and involvement in respect of the Health and Social Care Strategic Framework for 2023-2026.  She provided an update on the work to date and sought further comments from those in attendance and involvement in the planning, design and monitoring of the Framework.  She provided details of the key challenges being faced and highlighted the need for more support for unpaid carers.  The vision for the Framework was that all people in the Scottish Borders would be able to live their lives to the full.  The Framework set out how health and social care services would be transformed and delivered over the next three years and detailed the levels of achievement that were being aimed for.  Ms Hayden asked that people submit their views on the Framework and advise whether anything was missing.  She then explained the various ways people could be involved.  Ms Jenny Mushlin from the Parish of Stow Community Council highlighted that transport was missing from the Framework.  She had been a member of a previous group and would be very happy to be involved again.  However, she did note that the group would need administrative support to be more effective.  The Chair asked that the presentation be circulated and encouraged everyone to submit their views.

Copy attached.

There had been circulated copies of a document on the consultation relating to the proposal to relocate Galashiels Academy.  The consultation period would run from 13 March to 12 May 2023 and a public meeting was to be held on 20 April between 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm at Galashiels Academy.  The paper gave details of the proposals and the educational benefits of the new building.  Members welcomed the progress being made and encouraged everyone to take part in the consultation process.  Councillor Sinclair commented on a successful dedicated website which had been created for the new Peebles High School and hoped this would be replicated for Galashiels.  In response to a question as to whether or not Parish of Stow Community Council could receive a further briefing via Microsoft Teams from the contractors, Mr Coltman advised that he would check.  The contractors had undertaken to provide regular feedback sessions as the construction progressed.

Breakout Rooms.

Discussions may include topics such as:

• How to encourage greater involvement at Area Partnership meetings
• What topics would you like to see going forward
• Thoughts on Neighbourhood Support Fund Criteria

Attendees were placed in breakout rooms to discuss how to encourage greater involvement at Area Partnership meetings, what topics people would like to see going forward and thoughts on the Neighbourhood Support Fund criteria which was to be considered later in the meeting.  After attendees had returned to the main meeting the Chair thanked everyone for their participation and asked that people add their notes to the Google Jamboard.

Eildon Funding Table 2022/23 – SBC’s Communities and Partnerships Team.  (Copy attached.)

Copies of the Eildon Funding Table 2022/23 had been circulated with the agenda.  Mr Coltman advised that the opening balance of the Neighbourhood Support Fund (NSF) had been £147,038.24, and that £138.372.79 had been awarded since April 2022.  Applications totalling £18,433 had been assessed and were awaiting decision.  Mr Coltman explained that if all of the applications were approved in full then the Fund would be oversubscribed by £9767.55. 

It was noted that the funding available for 203/24 had dropped to £87k and it was therefore proposed that the limit for an individual application be reduced from £15k to £10k and this was unanimously approved.  A review of the funding criteria was also suggested and it was further agreed that a reflective session be held with the Assessment Panel before the next meeting of the Area Partnership in June and that any proposed amendments be brought forward for consideration.  There were currently 2 vacancies on the Assessment Panel and Mr Harrow encouraged people to get in touch if they were interested in joining.

Eildon Assessment Panel to present funding recommendations for the following NSF applications:

·         Melrose in Bloom

·         At Birkhill House CIC

·         Rotary Club of Melrose

(Copy attached.)

9.1       There had been circulated copies of the Eildon Assessment Panel’s recommendations as a supplement to the agenda. The Chair welcomed Ms Jenny Mushlin of the Eildon Assessment Panel to provide an overview of each of the recommendations. 

9.2       Melrose in Bloom

With reference to paragraph 5.5 of the Minute of 26 January 2023, it was reported that ownership of the fence had still not been ascertained but that the Panel were happy to consider an application in 2023/24 once ownership had been confirmed.  Mr Coltman advised that a meeting had been arranged with Melrose in Bloom to discuss the next steps.  Members unanimously agreed not to grant the funding. 

9.3       At Birkhill House CIC

            With reference to paragraph 5.6 of the Minute of 26 January 2023, it was reported that the previous concerns regarding lack of quotes and a business plan had now been addressed.  The Panel considered it was a strong application and recommended part funding of £8,665.45.  Members unanimously agreed to approve this funding.

9.4       Rotary Club of Melrose

            An application for £2,500 had been received to re-establish the library at Earlston High School following the appointment of a new librarian.  The money would be used to purchase new appropriate books.  The Panel had recommended that the application be refused but suggested that the Rotary Club liaise with Live Borders.  Mr Coltman confirmed that a conversation with the Rotary Club was ongoing.  Members unanimously agreed not to grant the funding.

Thursday, 15 June 2023.  Agenda issued: Thursday 1 June 2023.

The Chair confirmed that the next Eildon Area Partnership would be held on Thursday, 15 June 2023 at 6pm.  Meetings would continue to be held online via Microsoft Teams at present.

No items were raised.