Agenda item

Consider 4 applications for funding:

• Melrose Bowling Club
• The Abbotsford Trust
• Ettrick Forest Archers

• TD1 Youth Hub

(Copies attached.)

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

5.1       The Chairman asked Mr Harrow to provide an overview of the applications to the Build Back a Better Borders Fund. Mr Harrow explained that The Build Back a Better Borders fund had to date awarded £34,259. He advised that if the pending applications were approved there would be a balance of £44,583.39.  Mr Harrow proceeded to give an outline of each application.

5.2       The Abbotsford Trust

The Abbotsford Trust were applying for £15,000 to help develop a pilot project to help people living in the local community whose mental health and well-being had been affected by the pandemic. The project aimed to engage with 20 individuals, delivered over four blocks, with each block lasting six weeks, involving 5 participants at a time. The participants in the project would have the opportunity to undertake a variety of practical duties across the gardens and estate of Abbotsford House. The funding applied for would cover key staff costs. Following considerable discussions the application for £15,000 was unanimously granted.

5.3       Eildon West Youth Hub (TD1 Youth Hub)

The application from TD1 Youth Hub was for £12,384 to allow them to offer a new outreach service over the winter months that would allow young people to access the TD1 youth hub in Galashiels town. It would allow the Hub to offer new outreach opportunities to those living in the Langlee area, within the community and from the Queens Centre. The Hub would also provide regular group activities offering the chance for young people to take part in youth work opportunities with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour by allowing young people the opportunity to engage twice a week in organised activity. The funding would cover the cost of providing those free activities, vehicle hire, staff costs and resources for activities.  The Members in attendance praised the merits of the application, highlighted the exemplary work being undertaken by the Hub and undertook to send a letter to the developer of Melrose Gait, signed by all Eildon Area Councillors, asking whether they would like to financially contribute to the provision of outreach services to the development given the dearth of opportunities present in the locale. Members unanimously granted the funding of £12,384.

5.4       Selkirk Rotary

The Rotary Club of Selkirk were applying for £4,500 to help deliver a Community and Economic Project on 27 November 2021. The event would include stage entertainment from local theatrical and musical groups, a fashion show, a live radio broadcast and children’s entertainment. The funding applied for would cover the costs to allow the event to be free of charge, helping bring the whole of the local community together. Members praised the application and granted the funding of £4,500 in full.  It was agreed that the marketing materials for the event would be circulated via the Area Partnership by Mr Harrow.

5.5       Gala Rugby

            Gala Rugby had applied for £4,025 to fund the appointment of an assistant development officer for a 6 month period. The new staff member would allow Gala Rugby to engage with young people and schools that they have lacked the capacity to work with previously. They club would provide rugby activities within Langlee and Balmoral primary schools and focus on encouraging girls in early secondary school to participate in rugby. The application for £4,025 was granted in full.

5.6       Melrose Bowling club

            The application from Melrose Bowling Club was seeking £9,828 to fund the purchase of a new lawn mower suitable for the needs of a modern-day bowling green. The current mower was increasingly no longer fit for purpose due to its age and the grass on the bowling green requiring regular cutting. Members praised the efforts of the club to be accessible to all and granted the application for £9,828 in full.

5.7       Ettrick Forest Archers

            Ettrick Forest Archers were applying for £6,700 to enable them to purchase equipment to hold “Come and Try” sessions and open days. The funding would also allow the group to offer four free two-hour training sessions to the first five new junior members and first five new senior members who wish to join the club.  The application for £6,700 was granted in full.

5.8       Melrose Tennis

            The application from Melrose Waverly Tennis Club was for £8,163 to allow them to extend and expand their coaching sessions for children, and also reach out to new children. The Club would like to install a practice fence to extend the active time for all of the children taking part in coaching sessions. Additionally, the club would introduce a new 6-week block of free coaching aimed at 5 year olds who have not taken part in the sport previously. Members praised the application and granted the application for £8,163 in full.

5.9       Newstead Village Community trust

            The application from Newstead Village Community Trust was for £12,382 to help appoint a professional consultant to work with the community to develop a Community Action Plan and Business Plan. The trust wished to build on the community spirit and togetherness that had arisen as a result of the impact of COVID-19. Members praised the application, granted the application for £12,382 in full and recognised that the work to be undertaken by the Trust could act as a template for other similar communities in the Borders.