Agenda item

Consider 3 applications for funding:

a) Riddell Fiddles

b) Upper Hermitage and Liddesdale Community Council

c) Wilton Park & Hawick Tennis Club

d) Burnfoot Community Futures (to follow)

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

The Locality Development Coordinator, Ms Jardine, presented the summary of applications to the Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund:

(a)          Riddell Fiddles
An application had been received for £6,120 to start a new weekly after school group in Burnfoot, based at Burnfoot Hub, teaching fiddle and guitar to the P4/5 age group.  The application was assessed as high, noting the intention to increase number of opportunities for children to be involved in a group activity and that Riddell Fiddles have referenced examples of support for the project and the positive impact they were having in the community before the pandemic.

DECISION
AGREED to award Riddell Fiddles the sum of £6,120, subject to the following conditions:

(i)            The applicant must follow Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance,

(ii)           Instruments purchased must be available for wider community use.

(b)          Upper Liddesdale and Hermitage Community Council (ULHCC)
An application had been received for £1,974 to purchase and install a defibrillator on the B6357 road adjacent to the resilience shed opposite Larriston Farm.  The application was assessed as medium noting the installation of defibrillators would provide a rural community with a resource that would improve the chances of someone surviving a cardiac arrest.  ULHCC had still to outline how the cabinet and defibrillator would be maintained to prolong its lifespan.  ULHCC planned to insert solar panels on their resilience shed with a battery inside and the defibrillator located in an insulated enclosure.  ULHCC had since submitting the application confirmed the Community Council would be responsible for the defibrillator’s maintenance and planned to train a local response group.

DECISION
AGREED to award Upper Liddesdale and Hermitage Community Council the sum of £1,974, subject to the following conditions:

(i)            The applicant must follow Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance,

(ii)           A plan must be put in place for the maintenance of the defibrillator and cabinet.

(c)          Wilton Park and Hawick Tennis Club
An application had been received for £4,240 to deliver several new initiatives to encourage more people to access tennis including free taster sessions for key groups such as disability sessions, tots, children, beginners and ages over 60.  The application was assessed as high as the club was looking to extend the opportunity for different community groups to try tennis for the first time following the pandemic and the proposals were inclusive and removed barriers to participation.

DECISION
AGREED to award Wilton Park and Hawick Tennis Club the sum of £4,240, subject to the following conditions:

(i)               The applicant must follow Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance,

(ii)           Equipment must be available for wider community use.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Ramage declared an interest in the following item of business in terms of Section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and left the Teams meeting during the discussion, returning once the item had been finalised.

(d)          Burnfoot Community Futures (BCF)
An application was received for £14,850 to provide the community with training and development opportunities to assist recovery from the pandemic with focus on supporting those in the community directly impacted by Covid-19 including those who were isolated and those affected by poverty and loneliness.  The application was noted as medium as the community had always been at the centre of BCF activities and they have had a successful history of delivering activities.  It was noted that the BCF accounts were outwith the 15-month period allowed for the Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund with an expectation that their latest accounts would go to their Board for approval in December with their annual general meeting likely to take place in December.  Attendees were asked to consider whether the account submission would be an obstacle to the application.  Attendees noted funding would have a high value for the Burnfoot community, that Burnfoot Community Futures was deserving of support and that the Area Partnership should take steps to help look after those in Burnfoot.

DECISION
AGREED to award Burnfoot Community Futures the sum of £14,850, subject to the following conditions:

(i)               The applicant must follow Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance,

(ii)             Equipment purchased must be available for wider community use.