Agenda and minutes

1.            Welcome

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the in person meeting, which included Elected Members, Community Council representatives, Community Organisations and guests attending within the meeting.  She outlined how the meeting would be conducted.

·         Minute – Copy Minute from meeting held on 1 February 2023. (Copy attached.)

·         Menti Feedback from meeting held on 1 February 2023

2.            Feedback from the Meeting on 1 FEBRUARY 2023

2.1       The minute of the meeting of the Cheviot Area Partnership held on 1 February 2023 had been circulated with the Agenda.    A response to questions raised on the Scottish         Borders 2018 Community Plan and National Planning Framework 4 had been provided    through the additional information document which was circulated with the papers.

2.2       Following a request that all those in attendance be recorded in the Minute, it was agreed that those present and apologies received would be recorded individually.

3.0       With regards to the comments raised on climate change: SBC was working in                   partnership with the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) to establish a carbon   emissions baseline for the Council as an organisation. This would inform         where to focus            efforts for carbon reduction and allow the setting of targets and monitoring of progress    for key carbon emissions sources (in line with requirements for reporting under the       Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009). Like most other Scottish local authorities the          two key areas identified were those relating to the   decarbonisation of buildings and        transport related emissions.

3.1       Work had also just commenced on the setting of a carbon baseline for the Scottish Borders geographical area. As an organisation SBC’s footprint was a small percentage of the total footprint of the wider area but the Council had a key role to play in developing policy and strategy, supporting a Place-based approach and communicating key climate change messaging etc.

3.2       The link below to the Community Carbon Calculator Tool which had been created by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and supports communities to consider change in their area and activities that would make the biggest difference.

Would the Area Partnership be interested in having a discussion or workshop on climate change at a future meeting?

During discussion a request was made to receive information on the impact on the Scottish Borders specifically rather than for Scotland as a whole.

Draft Health and Social Care Strategic Framework discussion - Carol Hayden, National Team for Development and Inclusion (NDTI)

SECTION 1: SERVICE & PARTNER UPDATE AND CONSULTATIONS

3.0       Draft Health and Social Care Strategic Framework discussion - Carol Hayden, National Team for Development and Inclusion (NDTI)

3.1       The Chairman welcome Carol Hayden to the meeting who was in attendance to provide an update on the development of a Health and Social Care Strategic Framework for Scottish Borders.  Carol represented the National Team for Development and Inclusion who were gathering feedback and comments on the framework.  It was explained that the aim of the public engagement and involvement was to update on work undertaken to date in the development of the strategic framework; to outline the framework in the planning, design and monitoring of the framework which had been informed by engaging and listening to communities to understand their expressed needs – published in the ‘We have listened report’, understanding the public health needs of the population – published in the ‘Needs of Our Communities report’; reviewing performance against the National Health and Wellbeing Outcome and considering current and future challenges.  

            The key challenges were highlighted as :-

·        Working with the impacts of Covid-19

·        A population with increasing levels of health and wellbeing needs

·        The need to support transitions from children’s to adult’s services

·        Significant workforce pressures

·        National and International economic pressures impacting on Communities i.e. cost of living, fuel poverty

·        Significant financial pressures for the Health and Social Care Partnership

·        Access to affordable housing in our rural context and the associated impact on health and wellbeing

·        Unpaid carers need more support

·        Pressures in our Communities and in our Hospitals

·        Climate Change

·        More People living alone

·        National Care Service

3.2       During discussion, matters raised included local transport links, postcode lottery regarding the level of service received, locality working groups and their re-introduction although there was no timescale.  Also discussed was the concept around Community and Locality and getting local voices heard and acted upon and Ms Hayden explained that discussion at Area Partnerships and Locality Working Groups would feed into to SBC and into the Health and Social Care Strategic Framework for Scottish Borders.  The ageing demographic in the Borders and specifically within Cheviot was highlighted and it was explained that although there was not a specific plan this fed into other plans and it must be recognised that some targets were challenging.   

            DECISION

            NOTED.

POLICE REPORT

4.0       The Chairman welcomed Sergeant Alison Grainger to the meeting to give an update on policing in the Cheviot Area.  There were currently Police Officers in Jedburgh and Kelso and one Community Liaison Officer for both secondary schools within Cheviot.  There were issues with resources, however Police would attend the Area Partnerships whenever possible.  In terms of rural crime, there had been an increase in sheep worrying and SBC would be reminding the public via social media about keeping dogs on leads.  Work with partners was ongoing in terms of cross border crimes and the event season was approaching with 180 events in the Calendar.  There had been 136 events resourced by Police Scotland last year.  Police Scotland happy to advise and work with Organisers of Community Events with regard to them providing Marshalls with support from the Police.  Mr Horsburgh thanked Police Scotland for everything they did to support local events.

            DECISION

            NOTED.

Overview from SBC Communities & Partnership Team.

7.            Section 2: Community Empowerment and Community Funding

Cheviot Funding Tables 2022/23

There had been circulated copies of the Cheviot Funding for 2022/2023 which detailed the funding available together with information on the allocation of the Neighbourhood Support Fund in 2022/23.  The opening balance at 1 April 2022 was £80,268.39 plus underspend from the Community Fund in 2021/22 of £28,640.65, underspend in the Local Festival Grant in 2021/22 of £2,953.00 and underspend in the Community Fund 2019/20 of £2,175, which resulted in an overall budget of £114,037.04.  Other sources of funding included Local Festival Grant Budget totalling £16,675.00, Annual Support Grant to Community Councils totalling £10,470.00, Common Goods, SBC Enhancement Grant, SBC Welfare Grant and SBC Small Schemes totalled £202,419.69.  Neighbourhood Support Fund applications awarded since April 2022 totalled £39,880.84 and applications assessed and awaiting decision totalled £71,690.79. 

DECISION

NOTED.

NSF recommendations to be presented by the Cheviot Assessment Panel on the following applications:-

i.          Interest Link Borders

ii           One Step Borders

iii.         St Boswells Village Hall

iv         2^nd Kelso Guide Company

v          Kelso Cricket Club

vi         Kelso Cricket Club

vii         Kelso Orchard Tennis Club

viii        Green St Boswells

ix         Jedforest Instrumental Band

x          St Boswells OAP Social Club

xi         Borders Media CIC

xii         Borders Group of RDA

xiii        Borders Group of RDA

xiv       The Jed Lunch Club

xv        Borders Union Agricultural Society

xvi       Kelso Football Club

xvii       Tweed Valley Railway Campaign

xviii      Jedburgh Legacy Group

xix       Kelso Wheelers Cycling Club

xx        Jedburgh Tourism Alliance

Neighbourhood Support Fund

6.0    There had been 20applications received for the Cheviot Neighbourhood Support Fund which was a significant increase on previous rounds and very encouraging that more community organisations were coming forward.  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.  As previously reported, projects with a mean score of 80+ in terms of  their ability to deliver, clear evidence of need, potential impact, use of public money, innovation and sustainability and therefore would be recommended for approval and those were detailed below :-

6.1     Interest Links  

          An application had been received from Interest Links requesting £4,805 to offer 25 members with learning disabilities, aged 8-80 with age-based befriending. The aim was to nurture friendships, provide new opportunities and improve wellbeing, confidence & social skills.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £4,805 be awarded.

6.2     One Step Borders

          An application had been received from One Step Borders in the sum of £3,150 to carry out volunteer recruitment and training throughout the Cheviot locality to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of 35 young people.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £3,150 be awarded.

6.3     2^nd Kelso Guides  

          An application had been received from 2^nd Kelso Guides in the sum of £1,440.00 for the purchase of four tents to allow the group to attend a UK-wide Girlguiding camp.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £1,440 be awarded.

6.4     Kelso Orchard Tennis Club

          An application was submitted by Kelso Orchard Tennis Club in the sum of £4,005.00 to provide activities for those 65+, in partnership with local care homes and sheltered housing. These activities would improve participants mental and physical wellbeing and the Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £4,005 be awarded.

6.5     Jed Lunch Club

          Jed Lunch Club had submitted an Application in the sum of £360.00 to reopen its’ doors post-covid. This monthly club was held within Jed Thistle Club Rooms for older adults, offering a hot meal at an affordable cost, socialisation and reduced isolation.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £360 be awarded.

6.6     Borders Union Agricultural Society

          An application was submitted for £3,688.00 for the provision of educational tote bags for each child present at their Countryside Day. These bags offered a memento, as well as education on exhibitors and UN Sustainability goals, and a biodegradable water bottle.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £3,688 be awarded.

 6.7    Kelso Wheelers Cycling Club

          An application had been received from Kelso Wheelers Cycling Club in the sum of £5,000.00 to make improvements on the bike trails in Angraflat, Kelso. These improvements would allow the trails to reopen for the public.  The Panel were supportive of the project  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

(Copy attached.)

Update on Place Making progress in Cheviot.

Neighbourhood Support Fund

6.0    There had been 20applications received for the Cheviot Neighbourhood Support Fund which was a significant increase on previous rounds and very encouraging that more community organisations were coming forward.  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.  As previously reported, projects with a mean score of 80+ in terms of  their ability to deliver, clear evidence of need, potential impact, use of public money, innovation and sustainability and therefore would be recommended for approval and those were detailed below :-

6.1     Interest Links  

          An application had been received from Interest Links requesting £4,805 to offer 25 members with learning disabilities, aged 8-80 with age-based befriending. The aim was to nurture friendships, provide new opportunities and improve wellbeing, confidence & social skills.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £4,805 be awarded.

6.2     One Step Borders

          An application had been received from One Step Borders in the sum of £3,150 to carry out volunteer recruitment and training throughout the Cheviot locality to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of 35 young people.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £3,150 be awarded.

6.3     2^nd Kelso Guides  

          An application had been received from 2^nd Kelso Guides in the sum of £1,440.00 for the purchase of four tents to allow the group to attend a UK-wide Girlguiding camp.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £1,440 be awarded.

6.4     Kelso Orchard Tennis Club

          An application was submitted by Kelso Orchard Tennis Club in the sum of £4,005.00 to provide activities for those 65+, in partnership with local care homes and sheltered housing. These activities would improve participants mental and physical wellbeing and the Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £4,005 be awarded.

6.5     Jed Lunch Club

          Jed Lunch Club had submitted an Application in the sum of £360.00 to reopen its’ doors post-covid. This monthly club was held within Jed Thistle Club Rooms for older adults, offering a hot meal at an affordable cost, socialisation and reduced isolation.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £360 be awarded.

6.6     Borders Union Agricultural Society

          An application was submitted for £3,688.00 for the provision of educational tote bags for each child present at their Countryside Day. These bags offered a memento, as well as education on exhibitors and UN Sustainability goals, and a biodegradable water bottle.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that £3,688 be awarded.

 6.7    Kelso Wheelers Cycling Club

          An application had been received from Kelso Wheelers Cycling Club in the sum of £5,000.00 to make improvements on the bike trails in Angraflat, Kelso. These improvements would allow the trails to reopen for the public.  The Panel were supportive of the project and recommended that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Sharing good practice and current activity from across Cheviot.

SECTION 4: Other

8.1       ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT

The Chairman advised that additional information was included in the agenda pack which contained information on current consultations and links to useful information.

DECISION

NOTED.

Wednesday, 31 May 2023 – Items for Discussion

DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

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

          Wednesday,  20 September 2023

          Wednesday, 22 November 2023

          Wednesday, 31 January 2024

          Wednesday, 27 March 2024

          The next meeting would be held on Wednesday, 31 May 2023 via Microsoft Teams.

MEETING EVALUATION     

Ms Jardine reminded those present about the meeting evaluation form which could be accessed via the link https://forms.office.com/r/HHH1dEcmz3.  She added that feedback about the Area Partnership meetings was really helpful and always appreciated.