Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Microsoft Teams

Contact: Fioan Henderson Tel: 01835 826502  E-mail:  fhenderson@scotborders.gov.uk

Link: teamsliveevent

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Meeting Protocols

Minutes:

1.0      WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

1.1     Microsoft teams, which included elected Members, guests attending within the meeting and those watching via the Live Stream.  He outlined how the meeting would be conducted.

 

2.

Feedback from meeting of 22 September 2021 and evaluation of the meeting pdf icon PDF 367 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.0      Feedback from meeting on 22 September 2021  

1.1      The minute of the meeting of the Cheviot Area Partnership held on 22 September 2021 had been circulated and was noted.

 

3.

Community Empowerment

Minutes:

1.0      COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Clare Malster reported that there were 11 parts to the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and the Area Partnership would be looking at parts 3, 5 and 9 in turn.

 

3.1     Part 3 – Participation Request -  Community groups will be given the power to ask to be involved with local public sector bodies, like Scottish Borders  Council, Police and NHS, to improve services.

3.2     Part 5 – Asset Transfer - is aimed at community groups that wish to buy, lease or use land or buildings that are owned by public sector organisations such as SBC. To help community groups identify which land/building would be suitable an asset (property) register had been published for each of the five areas in the Borders.  There was a Community Asset Transfer policy which set out what community groups had to do if they would like to buy, lease or use SBC property.

KELSO HERITAGE SOCIETY  was the first group to have an asset transfer request. The group, who hadn’t yet been formally constituted as Kelso Heritage Society, approached the council about leasing a piece of land to plant a community orchard.  Over the period of several months the group worked with council officers to develop the paperwork which would become their asset transfer application.  During this time they were supported by staff at The Bridge, to become Kelso Heritage Society, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and by doing so became community transfer body as defined in the Act.  However, with a 30 year lease secured the project had a few more hurdles before tree planting could start.  The prospective orchard was within the boundary of Kelso Abbey and so required permission from Historic Environment Scotland, before work could commence.

 

An archaeological survey, using geophysical and site excavations, was carried out where the 16 planned fruit trees would be planted.  The four local primary schools got involved and helped the wash the finds of 18th & 19th century pottery and clay pipes.  The site was known to be part of the Abbey’s orchard during the 12th century but while this disappeared hundreds of years ago evidence was found to suggest it had at one time been used as an allotment.

 

With no significant medieval finds identified Historic Environment Scotland gave permission for the tree planting to progress.  Just before lockdown students from Borders Agricultural College, assisted by children from the primary schools, planted 16 fruit trees in February 2020, provided with a grant from Borders Tree Planting Fund.  The trees, a mix of apple and pear were all heritage varieties with a tradition of being grown in the Borders.  Unfortunately two trees were stolen shortly after planting although these had since been replaced.  Although the project was paused due to the pandemic educational packs, including some of the finds and their history, were prepared by the archaeologists ready for when the schools reopened.

 

3.3     Part 9 – Allotments – A register of property which was held as part of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Section 1: Service Partner Updates and Consultations

(a)    Place Making update                                                            40 mins

 

(b)    Community Empowerment                                                  15 mins

·         Overview

·         Participation requests

·         Asset transfer

·         Food Growing Strategy

 

(c)     Warm and Well – Ruth Dickinson, Changeworks               15 mins

Minutes:

SECTION 1: SERVICE & PARTNER UPDATES

1.0             PLACE MAKING UPDATE

4.1         With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute of 30 June 2021, SBC Service Director Customer & Communities, Mrs Jenni Craig, and SBC Portfolio Manager, Mr James Lamb, were in attendance to present an update on Place Making.  Mr Lamb advised that the approach to Place Making presented at the previous meeting had been approved by Scottish Borders Council.  With regards to staff recruitment, five community engagement officer posts had been filled along with two planning and regeneration officers, and a green space officer.  Recruitment for the Climate Change Officer remained ongoing and ways to improve the attractiveness of the   post were being investigated.  Further work had been undertaken on creating smaller settlement profiles, which incorporated statistics taken from national level on population change, access to amenities and deprivation levels.  This would be published on the Council’s website along with the smaller town index.

 

4.2         Mr Lamb presented a summary of feedback received from the five Area Partnerships on the proposed joint principles, framework, prioritisation, and terms of reference.  Across the five Area Partnerships, 21 responses were received, including four received from the Cheviot Area Partnership.  Mr Lamb noted that approximately 570 email addresses received the Place Making consultation questionnaire, and the response rate represented was just under 4% return.  That rate would not be representative and was not therefore conclusive, but the feedback was informative for the process.  It was further noted that the Council report may not have been an effective means to consult and that feedback may be supplemented by other means including a special meeting or workshop.  Attendees noted that the timeframe for the consultation was short and didn’t lend itself to Community Council meeting schedules to provide more effective feedback.  It was acknowledged that 13 joint principles were too many, and the more principles there were the less effective they became.  Mr Lamb undertook to re-examine the principles, reduce their number and synthesise them in a more succinct manner.  The feedback on the Joint Framework was largely positive, with the focus primarily on the need to simplify the language used and whether the approach was sustainable in the long term.

  

4.3         Following considerable discussions by those present it was agreed that the proposed method of identifying initial communities for action be disregarded and a new approach sought. The Chairman proposed that the Portfolio Manager organise a workshop with all interested parties to examine the approach to identifying initial communities again, following which a group would be formed that would make a prioritisation list and report back to the Area Partnership. Members endorsed this approach as a more effective way to make nuanced decisions on what levels of support should be provided to communities based on their differing levels of capacity to undertake projects and gain access to funding. The Chairman thanked Mr Lamb for his presentation and the work that he had undertaken.

 

DECISION

NOTED the Update.

 

4.4         Mr Burton enquired about investment in electric vehicles  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Section 2: Local Priorities pdf icon PDF 168 KB

Community Assistance Hub Update (Update attached)

Minutes:

6.0         SECTION 2: LOCAL PRIORTIES 

6.1         Cheviot Assistance Hub Update

Clare Malster, Locality Development Co-ordinator reported that the number of new referrals to Cheviot Community Assistance Hub since the last meeting had remained steady. As previously reported these were largely for people that had been contacted by Test & Protect and were having to self-isolate.  Requests included support accessing food, financial support and prescription pick up/delivery.   All Hubs remained operational and could be contacted through 0301 100 1800 or Covid-19Community@scotborders.gov.uk by anyone requiring support for themselves or someone they know.

 

6.2         Cheviot Community Partners (Community organisations, Third Sector, SBC and NHS Borders) had changed to a fortnightly meetings to share service updates and identify ways in which people living in the Cheviot area could be supported.  Since the last report the group has received presentations from:

 

·         Jenny Lees (Joint Health Improvement Team) on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

·         Steven Isbrand and Sharon Stoddart on the Parental Employability and Intensive Family Support Services

 

6.3         The meeting had started a discussion around poverty with a view to identifying gaps in the Cheviot area and what could be done to address them. The availability of information about the various support services had been raised as a problem and Cheviot would be linking with the other localities to explore the promotion of such services.  

 

6.4         The Kelso What Matters Hub had reopened and was initially based in Kelso Men’s Shed, this had now moved to the Cross Keys Hotel and was open 2- 4pm every Thursday. Further information was available at What Matters Hubs - Kelso What Matters Hub | Scottish Borders Council (scotborders.gov.uk).   Future discussion topics include Eat Well Age Well and the Warm & Well projects both of which link to the wider poverty discussion. 

 

The meetings take place fortnightly via MS Teams on Thursdays at 9:30am. If anyone would like to attend please contact Clare Malster at cmalster@scotborders.gov.uk.

The next meeting is 25 November 2021.

 

6.

Section 3: Community Empowerment and Community Funding pdf icon PDF 116 KB

(a)    Community Fund Evaluation – Morebattle Community Shop                   15 mins

 

(b)     Community Fund – update and consider funding recommendations

   From the Cheviot Assessment Panel (report attached)                           10 mins

                                                                                                                                   

(c)      Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund applications (assessments

   attached)                                                                                                              10 mins

 

      Consider three applications for funding:

      i).   Borders Group Riding for the Disabled

      ii).  Kelso Orchard Tennis

      iii). Jed Hearts Here

 

Photos of BBBB funded projects: BBBB Fund Awards 2021/22 | Flickr

 

cid:image001.png@01D7592F.EE42D010

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7.0         SECTION 3: COMMUNITY FUND

7.1         Morebattle Community Shop 

With reference to paragraph 11.3 of the Minute of 22 September 2021, Mr Ray Fielding was present to update the Area Partnership on the progress of the Morebattle Community Shop.  A short video was shown which highlighted the benefits to the wider Morebattle Community of having the shop within the Village, particularly during the pandemic when there were travel restrictions in place.  Mr Fielding detailed the timeline of setting up the shop, highlighting lessons learned.  A Tenant for the flat above the shop had been found and was now in residence.  The Manager appointed for the shop was increasing the ranges available and sourcing local produce where possible.  Funding had been received from Covid protection measures within the shop and Covid support funding in the sum of £15,000 had been set aside for further improvements.  The shop was now turning a profit and funding from the BBB had funded a part-time Volunteer Co-ordinator for a fixed term of six months.

DECISION

NOTED.

 

7.2         CHEVIOT COMMUNITY fUNDING 2020/21

There had been circulated copies of the Cheviot Funding for 2021/2022 which detailed the funding available together with information on the allocation of the Community Grant Fund in 2020/21.  The opening balance at 1 April 2021 was £46,551.00 plus 50% of available Local Festival Grant Budget totalling £8,337.50, which resulted in an overall budget of £54,888.50 less Community Fund & Community Fund Fast Track applications that were assessed and awaiting a decision of £8,258.00, resulting in a total of £46,630.50. 

 

              Other sources of Grant Funding for Cheviot totalled £79,926.00, less Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund applications awarded totalling £26,814.20 and the applications assessed and awaiting a decision which totalled £17,216.00 resulting in a balance of £35,895.80.  There remained £15,000.00 in applications which were awaiting assessment, potentially taking the balance to £20,895.80.     

 

          DECISION

NOTED.

 

7.4         APPLICATIONS

          There had been circulated copies of a report which detailed the recommendations of the Cheviot Community Fund Assessment Panel.  The report provided a brief description of each application received and a recommendation on the sum to be awarded to each project.

 

          An application had been received from St Boswells Parish Community Council for planters around the bus terminus in the village. The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were that the project was Community driven, was Community empowerment and ownership e.g., volunteering, and fundraising activities to support ongoing projects and investments and had a positive impact on tourism and wider village initiatives e.g., Spring Clean, Community Woodland. The Panel recommended awarding £1,928.00.

 

          An application had been received from the Kelso Orchard Tennis Club towards the renovation works to the clubhouse.  The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were that the Club was a well-established charity, the funding would enhance facilities and improve conditions, allowing year round sessions, and provide flexibility of space for several uses i.e. lessons, events and fundraisers.  The Panel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Section 4: Other

(a)     Next Area Partnership 26 January 2022, Agenda issued 12      January 2022

 

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

  Please contact your local councillor or the Communities & Partnership Team

 

(b)    Any other formal business

 

(c)     Future meeting dates :    26 January 2022

                                                             23 March 2022

                                                             29 June 2022

 

(d)  Meeting evaluation - Please complete either:

·         the Menti evaluation during the meeting, or

·         the form which will be available from 6:30pm on Wednesday 24 November until 11:45pm on Monday 29 November: https://forms.office.com/r/DFZq3DNEq6

 

Minutes:

9. 0       DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

          Future Meetings of the Cheviot Area Partnership would be held on the following dates:

 

Wednesday, 23 March 2022

Wednesday, 29 June 2022

 

            The next meeting would be held on Wednesday, 26 January 2021 at 6.30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams.

 

10.0       MEETING EVALUATION     

Ms Malster reminded those present about the meeting evaluation form which could be accessed via the link https://forms.office.com/r/HHH1dEcmz3 and was available until 11.45 p.m. on 29 November 2021.  She added that feedback about the Area Partnership meetings was really helpful and always appreciated.

 

CHAIRMAN

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

 

 

CONTACT US

Scottish Borders Council

Council Headquarters Newtown St. Boswells Melrose TD6 0SA

Tel: 0300 100 1800

Email:

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