Agenda item

Consider funding recommendations from the Eildon Assessment Panel. (Recommendations attached).

9.1       Jenny Mushlin, the Chair of the Eildon Assessment Panel presented the Community Fund recommendations. Ms Mushlin advised that should Members accept the recommendations then the fund would be fully subscribed and consequently closed to new applications until the new financial year.

9.2       Scott’s Selkirk

The application from Scott’s Selkirk was for £5k to help purchase 10 gazebos to be used at Selkirk market and for use in the wider community. The panel praised the community benefit of the application, but felt that as the group had alternate gazebos that could still be used it was reasonable to agree to half the requested amount. The panel recommended to fund 5 gazebos at a cost of £2.5k.

9.3       PND Borders

PND Borders were applying for £15k of funding to cover staffing costs to help provide support and therapy for mothers with postnatal depression and anxiety across the Borders. The panel recommended not to fund the project, as the funding was to cover future costs. The group had sufficient funding in place for the year. The Communities and Partnership team would work with the group to explore future funding options and opportunities.

9.4       Lauder Primary School Parent Council

Lauder Primary School Parent Council had requested £4,940.40 to help raise levels of literacy attainment by improving and increasing the quality and diversity of books available in the school library, as well as organising visits to local literary events.  The panel recommended not to fund the project as concerns existed regarding wider community access to the resources outside of the school setting. The local book festival trips would also take place in the June, consequently the group was encouraged to submit a new application in the new financial year.

9.5       The Lavender Touch

The application from the Lavender Touch was for £6.8k to assist in the upgrade of its shop and hub in Galashiels. The panel recommended to fund £1,579.79 to help make the shop more environmentally friendly by covering the costs of various in-shop energy improvements.

9.6       Brighter Blainslie

Brighter Blainslie had applied for £4,598.12 to help improve the village by planting flower displays, creating environmentally green spaces, providing outdoor seating and improving access to the village pathway. The panel recognised the important of communal spaces open to all, and recommended to provide the requested sum.

9.7       St Peter’s Primary School Parents Association

The Parents Association of St Peter’s Primary School had applied for £2,718 to support the continuation of a breakfast club within their school. The funding would pay for staff to continue the club. The group had initially applied for a higher sum, but had subsequently received additional funding from the SBC Community Welfare Trust. The Panel recommended to grant funding of £2,718.

9.8       Borders Talking Newspaper

The group were seeking £4k to cover running costs to continue a talking newspaper service to residents across Eildon. The funding request was a proportion of running costs. There were currently 230 registered listeners, with 73 in Eildon. The panel recommended to fund £4k.

9.9       Tweedbank Guides

Tweedbank Guides had applied for £15k to offer a residential opportunity to the guide groups, one at one home and one in London. The panel recognised the importance of residential opportunities and recommended to fund £600 to help meet the costs of the group attending a local day event.

9.10     Friends of Yarrow

The application from the Friends of Yarrow was for £2,078.38 to fund the creation of a safe walking area to and from the school. The funds would allow the children to walk from the school to a local hall. The landowner had agreed to provide an area of land for the creation of the pathway, and the funds would be used to erect a fence to create a safe route. The panel recommended to provide funding of £2,078.38. 

9.11     Members discussed the recommendations, thanked the Members of the Eildon Assessment Panel for their careful considerations and unanimously accepted the recommendations.