Agenda item

(a)    Community Fund Evaluation – Morebattle Community Shop                   15 mins

(b)     Community Fund – update and consider funding recommendations

   From the Cheviot Assessment Panel (report attached)                           10 mins

(c)      Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund applications (assessments

   attached)                                                                                                              10 mins

      Consider three applications for funding:

      i).   Borders Group Riding for the Disabled

      ii).  Kelso Orchard Tennis

      iii). Jed Hearts Here

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

7.0         SECTION 3: COMMUNITY FUND

7.1         Morebattle Community Shop 

With reference to paragraph 11.3 of the Minute of 22 September 2021, Mr Ray Fielding was present to update the Area Partnership on the progress of the Morebattle Community Shop.  A short video was shown which highlighted the benefits to the wider Morebattle Community of having the shop within the Village, particularly during the pandemic when there were travel restrictions in place.  Mr Fielding detailed the timeline of setting up the shop, highlighting lessons learned.  A Tenant for the flat above the shop had been found and was now in residence.  The Manager appointed for the shop was increasing the ranges available and sourcing local produce where possible.  Funding had been received from Covid protection measures within the shop and Covid support funding in the sum of £15,000 had been set aside for further improvements.  The shop was now turning a profit and funding from the BBB had funded a part-time Volunteer Co-ordinator for a fixed term of six months.

DECISION

NOTED.

7.2         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 less Community Fund & Community Fund Fast Track applications that were assessed and awaiting a decision of £8,258.00, resulting in a total of £46,630.50. 

              Other sources of Grant Funding for Cheviot totalled £79,926.00, less Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund applications awarded totalling £26,814.20 and the applications assessed and awaiting a decision which totalled £17,216.00 resulting in a balance of £35,895.80.  There remained £15,000.00 in applications which were awaiting assessment, potentially taking the balance to £20,895.80.     

          DECISION

NOTED.

7.4         APPLICATIONS

          There had been circulated copies of a report which detailed the recommendations of the Cheviot Community Fund Assessment Panel.  The report provided a brief description of each application received and a recommendation on the sum to be awarded to each project.

          An application had been received from St Boswells Parish Community Council for planters around the bus terminus in the village. The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were that the project was Community driven, was Community empowerment and ownership e.g., volunteering, and fundraising activities to support ongoing projects and investments and had a positive impact on tourism and wider village initiatives e.g., Spring Clean, Community Woodland. The Panel recommended awarding £1,928.00.

          An application had been received from the Kelso Orchard Tennis Club towards the renovation works to the clubhouse.  The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were that the Club was a well-established charity, the funding would enhance facilities and improve conditions, allowing year round sessions, and provide flexibility of space for several uses i.e. lessons, events and fundraisers.  The Panel recommended awarding £2,500.

          An application had been received from QME Care for a digital inclusion and activities project for care home residents and the wider community.  The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were the focus on wellbeing; quality of life enhancement; creation of employment opportunities and improving the digital skills for residents and the wider community which could reduce social isolation.  The Panel recommended awarding the sum of £1,800.   

          An application had been received from Kalewater Community Company for legal fees for land acquisition linked to the development of a recreation park.  The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were the Community benefits and investment and that the wider project had previously received awards through the Community Fund.  The Panel recommended awarding £2,030.

DECISION

AGREED that the following grants be awarded:-

(a)       St Boswells Parish Community Council in the sum of  £1,928

(b)       Kelso Orchard Tennis Club in the sum of £2,500

(c)       QME Care in the sum of £1,800

(d)       Kalewater Community Company in the sum of £2,030

8.0     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:-

8.1     Borders Group Riding for the Disabled

Borders Group of Riding for the Disabled (Borders RDA) was one of four Riding for the Disabled Groups in the Borders (others are Berwickshire Group, Ettrickbridge & Dryden and Tweeddale Rideability).  All operated independently under the Riding for the Disabled Association – Edinburgh & Borders Region to provide activities for people with disabilities.  Prior to the pandemic approximately 50 children, young people and adults with a variety of disabilities attended each week.  Based near Jedburgh the facility had two large fields and two paddocks along with a purpose built indoor arena which included a tack room and viewing area. The majority of service users were from the Cheviot area.  In preparing to reopen the centre Borders RDA identified two new projects aimed at rebuilding self-confidence around others and animals. By running two projects at the same time they had the added benefit of encouraging intergenerational activity and communication.   Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) involved learning ground work exercises, to build a relationship with the horse and improve the confidence and self-esteem of participants and offer a cycle of instruction, response and feedback which enabled the participant to communicate with the horse in a way that the horse understands, through body language, energy and movement.   Tea with a Pony was a relatively new programme supported by the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and was a meaningful activity to help those living with dementia and other long term conditions.  Both the EFL and Tea with a Pony programmes would be available free of charge with the opportunity for clients, who can afford to do so, to make a donation.   A grant from the Build Back a better Borders Fund would cover the costs of an Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator and Volunteer training as well as the wages and expenses of a RDA coach, to deliver both programmes for six months. 

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £11,500 subject to the following conditions:

(i)           The applicant must follow Scottish Government COvid-19 guidance; and

(ii)          The rate of pay given to the Coach must meet the National Living Wage.

8.2         KELSO ORCHARD TENNIS

Group sport had been severely impacted during the pandemic affecting not only opportunities for people to engage in sporting activities but also to benefit from the social interaction that it provided. Planned renovation work would enable the Club to provide new activities that could be carried out indoors to ensure that they are were not weather dependent.  Prior to the pandemic junior club nights were very popular but numbers had yet to return to pre-pandemic numbers as were Membership numbers, with subscriptions to social doubles having fallen by 1,000 during 2020 and 2021.   The Club would like to introduce new activities and rekindle interest in the sport by holding free taster sessions for key groups including disability sessions, tots, beginners, senior citizens and cardio tennis. Following on from the free taster sessions, a 6 week block of sessions would run for free for the key groups, working with community groups and sports groups in the area to reach a wider audience.

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £15,429, subject to the following conditions:

(i)           The rate of pay given to the coaches and assistants must meet the National Living Wage; 

(ii)          Moveable equipment should be passed to another community group/organisation should this project cease to operate; and

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

8.3         JED HEARTS HERE

Since its inception Jedburgh Hearts Here (JHH) had been able to provide 13 defibrillators around Jedburgh. Four defibrillators were funded by Jedburgh Common Good Fund in October 2021, three by a local businessman, two by the Ex Callants & Heralds Association, one by Jedburgh Community Council, one by the Lodge of St John and two by outside organisations.  As restrictions had been lifted and more people are out and about in the town the organisation would like to provide training on how to use the equipment for members of the local community. The training would be provided by paramedics who volunteer with JHH.  Not all of the defibrillators previously installed were accessible 24/7 and Funding was sought for three cabinets to be moved to external locations at the Golf Club, Lodge of St John and McColl’s and therefore publically accessible at all times.  JHH had also provided a defibrillator and cabinet for Jedburgh Grammar campus and discussions were taking place as to where it would be situated.  The British Heart Foundation stated that for every minute someone was in cardiac arrest without CPR and access to a defibrillator their chances of survival dropped by up to 10%. Having a public access defibrillator (PAD) available in an emergency can be lifesaving, especially in rural areas where ambulance response times may be longer.

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £2,907, subject to the following conditions:

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

(ii)          Moveable equipment to be passed to another community group/organisation should Jedburgh Hearts Here cease to operate

(iii)         Necessary insurance cover must be in place.

(iv)         A plan must be put in place for the maintenance of the defibrillator cabinets.