Agenda item

 

(a)    Kalewater Community Company – Cheviot Community Fund 2020/21 evaluation

 

(b)   Community Fund Assessment Panel – update

 

(c)    Funding table overview (Copy attached.)

     (d)  Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund applications

 

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

 

Consider four applications for funding:

(i)     Roxburgh & Berwickshire CAB  

(ii)    Cheviot Youth

(iii)   Morebattle Community Shop

(iv)   Queens House

 

(Copies attached.)

 

 

SECTION 3: COMMUNITY FUND

8.0     Kalewater Community Company

With reference to paragraph 5.3 of the Minute of 25 November 2020, Mr Eric McNulty updated the Area Partnership on the progress of the Morebattle Recreation Ground project.  Through a series of pictures, Mr McNulty highlighted the 3.4 acre field situated behind the Morebattle Institute and next to the Templehall Hotel which had been purchased in 2019 with funding secured from the Community Grant Fund.     An archaeological trial trench evaluation was undertaken by Clyde Archaeology on behalf of theKalewater Community Company in relation to the development of a recreation ground that would include a community garden, children’s play area with trim track, picnic area, a community orchard,and a larger area for recreation/informal ball games. The evaluation formed part of a widerprogramme of archaeological work put in place to discharge condition 2 of planning permission (ref:18/00558/FUL). It took place between 24^th and 28^th May 2021 and was designed to provideopportunities forlocal volunteerparticipation andbroader activitiesfor thelocal primaryschool.  A total of   five trenches, totalling of 172 sq. m, were excavated across the site which targeted linear anomalies recorded during an earlier phase of geophysics. A series of very shallow linear ditches and a roughstone lined drain, both of unknown date, were uncovered in the northern part of the developmentarea, noneof whichappeared tocorrespond tothe geophysicsanomalies.  The dig was completed on 28^th May 2021 with no significant finds and an outcome report would be produced and submitted to the SBC Archaeology Officer to await a decision about continuing to develop the recreation ground.

DECISION

NOTED.

 

9.0     COMMUNITY FUND ASSESSMENT PANEL – UPDATE

With reference to paragraph 9 of the Minute of 30 June 2021, the Locality Development Co-ordinator, Ms Malster advised that following a recruitment process the following appointments had been made to the Cheviot Community Assessment Panel :-.     

 

Town Community Councils:   Graeme Hayward / Depute – John Taylor (Jedburgh CC)

                                                Dean Weatherston/ Depute – Gavin Horsburgh (Kelso CC)

 

Rural Community Councils:    Mr Peter Jeary (Crailing, Eckford and Nisbet CC)

                                                Brian Burton (Sprouston CC)

                                                Depute – Andrew Carter (Floors, Makerstoun, Nenthorn and Smailholm

 

Community Reps:                   Eleanor Lockey

                                                Nicola McIlwraith

 

Elected Members:                  Councillor S Scott

                                                Councillor T Weatherston

 

Ms Malster further advised that as the recruitment was yet to be completed, the Committee should consider temporarily reducing the Quorum from 5 to 4.  Sarah Mackie expressed an interest in joining the Assessment Panel and would discuss with Ms Malster.

 

DECISION

(a)      NOTED the appointments to date;

 

(b)      AGREED that the quorum be temporarily reduced from 5 to 4 until the recruitment process was complete.

 

10.0   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.  The Fund was currently closed.   

 

10.1 Other sources of Grant Funding for Cheviot totalled £79,926.00, less Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund applications awarded totalling £585.00 and the applications assessed and awaiting a decision which totalled £25,184.20 resulting in a balance of £54,156.80.  There remained £16,072.00 in applications which were awaiting assessment, potentially taking the balance to £38,084.80.     

 

DECISION

NOTED.

 

11.     SBC BUILD BACK A BETTER BORDERS RECOVERY FUND

With reference to paragraph 11 of the Minute of 30 June 2021, there had been circulated copies of applications in respect of:-

 

 

11.1   Roxburghshire & Berwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau

The CAB wished to build in to their service multiple routes for community members to access advice and support. These routes included email and telephone support, web chats and virtual drop in using the Near Me system and would be additional to the traditional method of face to face engagement. The service development had grown from the flexibility CAB had been able to provide during the past year and the ability to provide the Cheviot area with 5 days of support rather than 1.5 days pre Covid. In order to create the new offer, CAB required to increase their number of volunteer advisors. Many volunteers were ready to have a break having provided constant support during the past year and coupled with the requirement to provide IT training to existing volunteers who were not IT literate, there was a need for a volunteer recruitment drive. The CAB wanted to employ a CAB Champion to be responsible for promoting the opportunity to volunteer with CAB and increase the number of CAB volunteers. The Champion would be responsible for highlighting the opportunity through promotional materials, attending events and engagements, assisting new recruits to complete the application process and completing the initial stages of an induction and Adviser Training Programme. The Champion would cover the full geographical reach of CAB therefore they were requesting a share of the costs from the Berwickshire, Cheviot and Teviot & Liddesdale BBBB funds.  The amount requested was in the sum of £2,197.80.  The application had been assessed as high, as it met a number of criteria.

 

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £12,210.00, subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)           the applicant must follow Scottish Government Covid19 guidance; and

 

(ii)          the rate of pay given to the Volunteer Co-ordinator must meet the National Living Wage,

 

11.2   CHEVIOT YOUTH

Cheviot Youth were seeking a grant in the sum of £13,433.40 to establish an Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health Support Service (EWMHSS) at its new base in the Old School at St John’s Church in Jedburgh. The building, owned by the Episcopal Church required decorating and furnishing in order to make it suitable for the delivery of services.   The grant would cover the costs of setting up the new base in Jedburgh, including IT equipment, decorating, furniture and specialist kit to deliver the service.  Cheviot Youth were able to secure funding in the sum of 19,993 from the Cheviot Community Fund towards the costs of enhancing the Stepping Stones mental health and well-being service being delivered from their Kelso base. Although that work was ongoing, and evaluation still to be undertaken, the learning to date had helped to shape the project that would be delivered from the new Jedburgh base.  As a result of Covid an increased number of young people were presenting problems from depression to anxiety and self-harm to suicidal thoughts. Although these problems existed prior to March 2020 they have been exacerbated by Covid with the mental health epidemic becoming a huge challenge. Over the past year 70 people had benefitted from the service delivered from the Kelso base and it was estimated that approximately 40 from the Jedburgh area would access the service in any given year.  The service provided by qualified Practitioners uses counselling skills and draws on cognitive behavioural therapy and methodology to provide those accessing the service with psychoeducation tools and strategies. There were links in place with the NHS Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) to ensure a holistic approach.  The new premises in Jedburgh would also be the base for the Training, Employability & Advice Service and would be addressing the need for people in Jedburgh to provide a bespoke service from the initial challenging work on confidence, self- esteem and belief, then onwards to working through a range of modules from our employability programme, further training, to volunteering, to employment taster sessions and then onwards when ready to supported employment, college and full employment. The base would be open five days a week for Cheviot Youth and seven days a week for community use. Discussions were ongoing with Citizens advice Bureau, Skills Development Scotland and the Jedburgh Medical Practice about using the Space.  The application was scored as high as it strongly demonstrated how the project would assist recovery from the pandemic.

 

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £14,926.00, subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)           the applicant must follow Scottish Government Covid19 guidance when  

            delivering the service; and

 

(ii)         Moveable equipment e.g, Lego therapy kit and IT equipment to be passed to another community group-organisation should this project cease to operate.

 

11.3   MOREBATTLE COMMUNITY SHOP

Morebattle Community Shop were seeking a grant in the sum of £2,964.00 to recruit a part-time volunteer co-ordinator for a fixed term of six months.   The co-ordinator would be responsible for increasing volunteer numbers from 21 to approximately 35, training (including writing a new volunteers manual), rotas and social activities.  In particular they would be tasked with increasing the number of young people within the community who volunteer and thus gain work experience in the shop.  The role would also give volunteers representation and a listening ear for their expectations and aspirations when supporting the shop, the co-ordinator would be able to champion their views at management and board level.  The Community Shop provided a lifeline to purchase groceries within the village, and during the pandemic there had been a sustained increase in customers which was now only slightly lower than at the height of lockdown. The number of volunteers also increased from 14 to 21 as a result of those furloughed and others wishing to help out.  The shop has proved a vital social hub for residents to meet up and keep abreast of local activities and initiatives and by having a volunteer co-ordinator in post communication with local residents would be easier. The volunteers managing the shop would benefit as the co-ordinator would be able to manage day to day enquiries and activities.  Discussions with younger people in the village have highlighted that they are finding it difficult to gain part-time employment or work experience. An opportunity to gain experience in their village will stand them in better stead when applying for jobs in the area.  New members of the community had found it difficult to integrate while the pandemic closed down the usual social clubs in the village, and the shop had given them the opportunity to meet other residents.  The application was assessed as medium/high as it provided acceptable examples as to how the work of the volunteer co-ordinator would assist with improving health and wellbeing social and reduce social isolation. 

 

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £2,964.00, subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)           the applicant must follow Scottish Government Covid19 guidance; and

 

(ii)         the rate of pay given to the Volunteer Co-ordinator must meet the National Living Wage.

 

11.4   QME CARE, KELSO 

The past 18 months had seen more people living in the community become socially isolated from their communities and/or loved ones due to shielding and/or living rural locations.  QME care propose to develop a new Community Connection and Companionship Project to support people living with Dementia and Older Age who have experience increased social isolation over the period of the pandemic.  With Community networks being fragmented due to the pandemic, the new project would aim to reduce the trauma, isolation for our older adults to ensure that they are not a forgotten generation and can still flourish in a fair and compassionate environment regardless of their age or condition.  A grant in the sum of £7,650 would enable QME Care to employ a Volunteer Co-ordinator to will recruit and match 15 volunteers aged 16+ with people aged over 55, living with dementia in the Cheviot community, based on their interests, hobbies and connections to aid a better bond and successful pairing match with our older people in the community. They would support them weekly to re-engage with their community and build back networks lost or diminished during the pandemic, with the support from the Co-ordinator and Holistic therapists to support the trauma recover process. After the first six months’ pilot period legacy funding and specific fund raising would be used to continue the project.  The application was assessed as high as it met a number of fund criteria.

 

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £7,650.00, subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)        the applicant must follow Scottish Government Covid19 guidance; and

 

(ii)        the rate of pay given to the Volunteer Co-ordinator must meet the National Living Wage.