Agenda item

Information on the Berwickshire Community Fund had been circulated and was available on the tables at the meeting.  Ms Jan Pringle, SBC Locality Development Co-ordinator, gave an explanation of the Scottish Borders Council’s Community Fund process.  This was a fund available to the community and voluntary groups to help support community activity.  Grants of up to £5k for non-constituted groups and £10k for constituted groups were available.  In exceptional cases up to £30k was available for constituted groups.  Applications submitted to Scottish Borders Council were assessed by the Communities and Partnership team and if they met the fund criteria, would go forward to Area Partnership for a decision to be made by the attendees present.  Assessments would be included in agenda papers and those who attended the Area Partnership meetings would be asked to consider the facts and make a decision on whether to support the application.  Ms Pringle referred to the Interim Assessment forms, already circulated and summarised below, which gave details of an application for Berwickshire Area Partnership to consider:-

(a)     Community Fund Position – Information Sheets

There had been circulated copies of the Interim Community Fund Overview Map 2019-20.  The total budget allocation for the interim community opening fund was £172,692, with an outstanding amount available for January 2020 of £119,788.  Ms Pringle outlined the details of the allocations which showed the Community Council commitments totalled £13,680; Berwickshire Federation of Village Halls at £13,502 and the local festival grant commitments at £14,060.  In response to questions, Ms Pringle confirmed that the grants did not include individual village halls as this was administered by the Federation of Village Halls.  The future budget availability was unknown at this time and was subject to budget confirmation and agreement by SBC Elected Members; similarly any underspend in this year’s budget was not guaranteed to be carried forward and this would also require a decision by the SBC Elected Members. 

(b)     Approved Fast Track Application Assessment – Keeping Duns Blooming Marvellous

It was noted that this application was from Keeping Duns Blooming Marvellous with a funding request of £1,500.  The group had identified five planting areas around Duns: Langtongate, Willis Wynd, Barn End, Industrial Estate Wild Flowers and a large square by the memorials in the park.  It was proposed to improve the spaces with sustainable planting.  The funding would enable the purchase of shrubs, perennials and wild flowers.  The group worked closely with SBC Neighbourhood Services and the proposed planting would ensure an attractive and complementary scheme.  The works would be undertaken by over 40 gardening volunteers and they had been formally supported by a Heart of Duns and Duns Community Council who had previously contributed their time and funding.  This application had been fast-tracked and was for information only as the funding for £1,500 had already been approved.

(c)     Application Assessment - Chirnside United Football Club

An application had been received from Chirnside United Football with a funding request of £2,328.65 to support the installation of floodlights at their new training area to the north of their existing pitch.  The proposal was to erect three, 8m galvanised street lighting columns and the funding was sought to support the purchase of the lights and the electrical installation works by a select registered installer.  In response to questions raised, it was confirmed that the pitch was also used by the Junior Teams and Chirnside Chasers (athletics group).  It was noted that the schools used their own pitches throughout the day, although children used the Chirnside football grounds out-with school hours.  It was also noted that the application met the criteria and it was agreed to approve the request for the installation of lighting at the football ground and noted that the running costs would be met by the club.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the application from Chirnside United Football Club for a grant of £2,328.65 to support the installation of floodlights at their new training area.