Agenda and minutes

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. 

Copy attached.

There had been circulated copies of an additional information document with the agenda. 

Minute of Meeting held on 23 March 2023. (Copy attached.)

The Minute of the meeting of the Eildon Area Partnership held on 23 March 2023 had been circulated and was noted. 

The Chair welcomed Ms Louise Cox of Scottish Borders Council to meeting to provide an update on the Scottish Borders Climate Change Action Network.  Ms Cox explained that work on climate change had been reviewed over the preceding years and that it had become clear that one of the elements lacking across the region when it came to climate change action was peer support and collaboration.  It was hoped that by establishing an umbrella organisation a joined-up approach could be established across the region that would help interested parties and groups link up and get support.  The Southern Uplands Partnership was already an established Group supporting communities, and it had been decided that setting up a new organisation would not be necessary.    An application was expected to be submitted to the Scottish Government for support in the near future, which would allow the creation of dedicated posts to help undertake key work. It was expected that agreement for the Southern Uplands Partnership to host potential staff would take time.  Discussions with the Scottish Government on community led climate change action were ongoing.  As part of phase 1, mapping and evaluating current capacity would take place, and it was hoped that engagement activities would be undertaken with local communities, in particular young people.  In response to a question regarding the timescales involved, Ms Cox explained that there would be lead time for approval, and then recruitment.  Attendees welcomed that work was ongoing behind the scenes in addition to the public facing elements and encouraged the good work to continue. 

5.1       The Chair welcomed Mr Nile Istephen of Eildon Housing Association to provide a presentation on the refreshed Community Plan Priorities.  Community planning was the process by which councils and other public bodies such as Health Boards and Police Scotland worked with local communities, businesses, and community groups to plan and deliver better services and improve the lives of people who live in Scotland.  Community Planning Partnerships was the name given to the group of organisations who deliver community planning.  Initially the responsibility for leading CPPs sat with LAs. The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 changed the responsibility to sit equally with five public sector bodies: LAs, NHS, Police Scotland, SFRS and Enterprise companies – in the Borders those lead partners were:

NHS Borders

Police Scotland

SBC

Scottish Fire & Rescue Service

South of Scotland Enterprise

Other partners include:

Borders College

Borders Community Action (Third Sector)

Health & Social Care Integration Joint Boars

Live Borders

Berwickshire Housing Association

Eildon Housing Association

Scottish Borders Community Councils’ Network

Scottish Borders Housing Association

Waverley Housing

5.2       There was a CPP in each local authority area.  It was further explained that under the Community Empowerment Act, Community Planning Partnerships were required to develop a ten-year Plan that set out the priorities for improving people's lives and reducing inequalities.   A lot had changed over the last five years since the previous Community Plan was agreed in May 2018.  There were new priorities, and it was important that the plan included those and like a lot of CPPs, there was an opportunity to completely review the plan to focus on what was most important for the area now.  There would be a review of the new Plan at least twice in the next 10 years to ensure that it remained relevant.  In putting together, the draft priorities for the new Plan, the data had been analysed to get an understanding of what was working well and what needed to be improved.  The views of the public had been sought through other surveys and community-based meetings, including the Council’s Community Conversations and 16 priority areas had been identified and arranged under the five themes; Economy, Skills, and Learning; Enjoying Good Health and Wellbeing; Good Place to Live, Grow Up and Enjoy a Full Life and Community Empowerment.  Views were being sought on which priorities were the most important to those living in the Eildon Area Partnership and whether the themes were the right ones.  The consultation was available online on SBC’s website and available as a paper copy for those who would prefer to respond that way.  The consultation would close on 16 July 2023.  In response to a question regarding rural areas, Mr Istephen acknowledged that rural areas faced higher incidences of fuel poverty and stressed that digital connections were key to ensuring that people living in those areas were not disadvantaged. An effective public transport network would also be key to ensuring that people living in rural areas were not disadvantaged, and technology, through initiatives  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Chair welcomed Ms Donna Bogdanovic to the meeting to provide a presentation on the Local Housing Strategy Consultation which was ongoing.  Ms Bogdanovic explained that the consultation on the Draft Local Housing Strategy 2023-28 was available online.  The consultation was expected to conclude on 21 July 2023.  It was stressed that this was the public’s chance to express how they feel about housing in their area and to influence the provision of housing in future years.  Ms Bogdanovic provided the link to the consultation and encouraged attendees to respond and to encourage others to complete the consultation.  In response to a question regarding community buildings and spaces, Ms Bogdanovic explained that the Local Housing Strategy would be fed into the wider Local Development Plan and would form part of the wider picture of allowing communities to achieve their aspirations.

Mr Harrow explained that officers were keen to develop an action tracker that would be brought to future meetings of the Area Partnership.  The action tracker would focus on ensuring that work was reported back to attendees following discussions and ensure that momentum was maintained in key areas.  Members welcomed the idea. 

Copy attached.

Copies of the Eildon Funding Table 2023/24 had been circulated with the agenda.  The opening balance of the Neighbourhood Support Fund (NSF) had been £86k, and £1949 had been awarded since April 2023.  Applications totalling £31.1k had been assessed and were awaiting decision.  Mr Coltman explained that more detailed updates would be presented as awards were made and the year progressed. 

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

·         Melrose in Bloom

·         Live Learn Earn CIC

·         Go Wild Scotland

·         Hike and Bike Hub

·         Galashiels Bowling Club

·         Ettrick and Yarrow Community Development Company

·         Lauder Larder

(To follow.)

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

Melrose in Bloom had applied for £5.75k to replace a wooden fence between the Boat Brae footpath and Melrose Bowling Club.  The fence would follow the line of, and replace, an extant fence which had fallen into disrepair.  The Assessment Panel had expressed concerns regarding a lack of clarity on land ownership and future maintenance obligations.  Melrose in Bloom additionally had financial reserves.  The Panel recommended not to fund the project as a result of those concerns.  Members unanimously agreed not to fund the project.  

9.3       Live, Learn, Earn 

            The application from Live, Learn, Earn was for £3.8k for a project which would support eight individuals over a twelve week period.  The project would involve attendees undertaking one metal work session per week.  The Panel were concerned at an overall lack of clarity with the application.  It was not clear where the sessions would take place, quotations were not fully detailed and the breakdown of overall project costs had also been deemed vague.   The Panel recommended not to fund the project.  Members unanimously agreed not to fund the project. 

9.4       Hike and Bike Hub

            A £6.1k application from the Hike and Bike Hub had been received to cover ongoing rental costs for 9 months.  The Eildon Area Partnership had previously approved funding for a project which provided affordable bike hire, servicing and maintenance as well as led cycles and guided walks. The Panel felt that the project had delivered positive outcomes in the area, and that the applicants had established strong partnership working with local community groups and businesses.  It was highlighted that income generation by the Hike and Bike Hub had increased month and month, and the Panel felt that the funding applied for would the group to continue to move towards sustainability.  The Panel had recommended that the application be approved in full.  The Chair invited the applicants to address the meeting. Mrs Angela Crow thanked the Area Partnership for its support and explained that she was happy to provide progress reports in the future.  Members unanimously agreed to fund the project in full.

9.5       Go Wild Scotland 

            Go Wild Scotland had applied for £9,992.78 to support the ongoing employment of one full-time member of staff, paid at the national living wage for 6 months.  The role would be to develop the group’s community engagement activities at Mauldsheugh Wood in Selkirk; continue its work with local schools; expand its volunteering programme; develop nature-based activities; and develop a programme of ranger-led walks and wildlife tours in the region.  The Panel were supportive of work which Go-Wild had undertaken to date and acknowledged the excellent work they had done at local schools.  However, the Panel were concerned that Go-Wild had received a Neighbourhood Support Fund  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Attendees agreed to hold the next meeting of the Eildon Area Partnership in person at Eildon Housing Associations Headquarters.  It was expected that the meeting would be blended to allow digital and physical attendees to take part.