Agenda item

Recommendation proposed from Teviot and Liddesdale Area Partnership to be considered for public consultation. (To follow).

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 17 November 2020, , the Chair advised that the Area Partnership needed to build on the findings of the Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) report and consider how to strengthen community engagement and participation.   He welcomed Barbara Elborn, Newcastleton & District Community Council and Philip Kerr, Southdean Community Council, who provided a pilot proposal for a new way forward based on feedback and discussion with Teviot and Liddesdale Community Councils, Elected Members and officers.   Introducing the presentation, Mrs Elborn explained that the proposed model would level up rural communities, create a new forum that met community needs, whilst working with the Council and partners in terms of provision of services at a local level, acknowledging strategic development requirements and funding.   The model would build on core values established under the Community Empowerment Act and Participatory Budgeting Charter, be flexible, transparent, accountable and engage more widely with communities.  2020 learnings had shown that working collaboratively with key partners achieved more and it was important that the Community Assistance Hubs continued as they were indispensable in delivering services to the community. Administrative support would also need to be retained.  Mrs Elborn went on to explain the three common elements from feedback were:  more transparency and say; greater influence in service provision that impact each of us in different ways; and, community sustainability through economic growth, developing what we have, maximising its uses and attracting new investment.  Shared learnings and experience, for example with access to a community council website, would increase confidence and expand community engagement.  Mrs Elborn suggested that the remit for the Area Partnership going forward should include: budgets and funding; service provision and local delivery; and strategic issues impacting on place. It was also suggested that regular engagement with police, fire, health, education, waste services and the road services should be reintroduced.  Sub-groups could be established which would be easier to manage and expand expertise in terms of learnings, for example to discuss bigger issues such as extending the railway line into Carlisle.  Based on the principles of the Participatory Budgeting Charter, the fundamentals in developing the new vision and objectives should include:  Community – reflecting the needs of the community it served; Participatory – consultative not imposed; Deliberative – beneficial to the wider community; Accessibility – everyone has the opportunity to have a say.  

5.2       Mrs Elborn then referred to the management of the Community Grant Fund.   To ensure transparency and accountability the model suggested that all applications should be scored and assessed against criteria and that scorecards be published so the applicants knew why they had been awarded points.   More information was required in terms of project assessment and why those decisions were being made. This would give a more considered view for each application before discussion at the Area Partnership.  In the future, consideration could be given to allow communities to vote online for projects.   Representation proposed for the new forum would be each community council, elected Members with a Chair and Vice Chair as well as administrative support.   A Panel of 14 would consider applications and this would ensure a wider understanding of community needs and shared learnings.   The balance of the Fund was to be split into two pots (one share for smaller communities and two shares each for Burnfoot and Hawick) to decide on smaller projects at a local level.  The larger fund would be based on criteria measured on scoring and assessment on which  the Area Partnership would vote.   Mrs Elborn concluded the presentation by advising that the next step was for a report to go to Council in March where Area Partnership proposals would be considered.  A separate report detailing Community Fund proposals would also go forward in March.   The proposed model would work alongside the CAHs as their role was integral in solving issues in crisis situations.  Working together, the Area Partnerships could be a force for change and help deliver community empowerment.

5.3       The Chair thanked Mrs Elborn for the comprehensive presentation.  During discussion it was noted that the suggested model would tie in with Fit for 2024 and fully engage with the principles of community engagement, particularly with rural communities.  The model was considered a positive way forward that would need further exploration and involvement with other partners such as the police, fire service and RSLs.   In response to a question regarding the legality of Community Councils allocating Council money,  Mrs Craig advised that further exploration and discussion was required to be clear on what was proposed going forward and how this would work.   Ms Wilkinson added that one of the options that Council could consider was that Area Partnerships no longer be Council committees.  The Council could grant the Community Fund to a community body with parameters on what and how the funding could be allocated and the decision making process.  This was one model for consideration and through the public consultation other models might be suggested.

(Note: Following the meeting the presentation slides were forwarded to the Area Partnership circulation list.)