Agenda item

(a)    Funding Tables March 2022

 

(b)    (i)  Cheviot Community Fund  - 2021/22 Overview and Cheviot

       Assessment Panel’s recommendations for changes to the current

       scheme for 2022/23

 

          (ii)  Cheviot Community Fund  - consider funding recommendations from the

                Cheviot Assessment Panel

 

(c)     Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund applications

 

      Consider three applications for funding:

      i).   Jed Thistle RFC

      ii).  Archaeology Scotland

      iii). Bodyzone Gym

 

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

 

 

SECTION 3: COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND COMMUNITY FUNDING

5.0    At their meeting on Thursday 3 March 2022 Cheviot Assessment Panel discussed changes to the operation of the fund from 1 April 2022. The paper sets out the proposed recommendations for change for consideration by Cheviot Area Partnership.

 

5.1     The Cheviot Community Fund Framework was a document, approved by Cheviot Area Partnership which set out the various aspects of the Fund and how it operated. The Framework for Cheviot Community Fund 2021/22, appended to the report, was developed by a working group comprising community councillors, representatives from the Third Sector and the Chair of Cheviot Area Partnership and agreed by Cheviot Area Partnership on 30 June 2021.

 

5.2     The Cheviot Assessment Panel was recommending the following amendments:

·           Increase the maximum grant to £5,000 (current maximum grant is £2,500). 

A number of the groups that applied had to seek grants from other funders in order to meet all their project costs. The allocation for 2021/22 had a projected underspend, to be carried forward, of approximately £25,000. It was felt that raising the limit to £5,000 would maximise the Fund and support local groups/organisations to deliver projects/initiatives.

 

·           Change the term of office for Assessment Panel members from one to three years.

During their term the current Panel had built up skills and knowledge assessing projects and producing recommendations to Cheviot Area Partnership. Renewing the membership of the Panel annually risked the loss of these skills on a frequent and recurring basis. The introduction of a three year term would reduce this risk.

 

·                The Panel was discussing the Scoring Matrix with a view to establishing whether any changes are required.

Approval of any suggested changes be delegated to Jenni Craig as the next meeting of the Cheviot Area Partnership was not until 29 June 2022.

 

DECISION

AGREED:-

 

(a)      that the maximum grant remain at £2,500;

 

(b)      not to agree a change in the term of office at this stage but that the Assessment Panel come back with an alternative proposal.

 

(c)      that the current scoring matrix remain at present as only been running for 6 months.

 

6.0     CHEVIOT COMMUNITY FUND

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.

 

6.1    Well Road Productions – Well Road Production Series

An application was received for the printing a booklet of scripts. Half of these books would go into Cheviot Area Schools and the other half into general sale with income generated used to print additional copies. The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were:

 

·         Established group with a good record of delivering projects

·         Educational benefit

·         Preservation of local history/heritage

 

The Panel recommend awarding £2,500.00

 

6.2     Broomlands Primary School Parent Council – Project Playground

An application was received for purchase and installation of playground equipment. The Panel were supportive of the project. The key points influencing the Panel’s decision were:

 

·         Health and Wellbeing

·         School children driven

·         Community benefit

 

The Panel recommend awarding £2,500.00, subject to the parent Council being able to show they could meet the shortfall in delivering the project.

 

6.3     Borders Talking Newspaper

An application was received for the purchase portable USB Memory Stick Players. The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were:

 

·         Well established and organised charity

·         Clear demand for the service

·         Clear benefit to service users

 

The Panel recommend awarding £893.25

 

6.4     Yetholm Community Shop Ltd - Refurbishment

An application was received for the replacement of a damaged canopy and outside lighting. A discussion took place as not all the panel felt this was the best use of public funds as those people felt it was more for aesthetics than any community need. After discussions, the majority were in support as they were trying to benefit the community and the fund had money available. The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were:

 

·         Community driven

·         Shopfront improvement

 

The Panel recommend awarding £2,500.00, subject to the group demonstrating why they could not claim to their insurance company for storm damage to the existing canopy.  The application was subsequently withdrawn as funding had been secured elsewhere.

 

6.5     Live Learn Earn – Jedburgh Community Arts Project

An application was received to provide workshop sessions that teach practical skills to young people. The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were:

 

·         Community benefit

·         Educational benefit

 

The Panel recommend awarding £2,340.00

 

6.6     St Boswells Gold Club – Insulation

An application was received for the supply of insulation. Some discussion took place on how the club was run and although it was a private members club it was a not-for-profit club. The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were:

 

·         Increase use of club

·         Environmental benefit

 

The Panel recommend awarding £803.18, subject to the club demonstrating why they could cannot use the funds available in their accounts.

 

DECISION AGREED that the following grants be awarded:-

 

(a) Well Road Productions the sum of £2,500

(b) Broomlands Primary School Parent Council the sum of £2,500

(c) Borders talking Newspapers the sum of £893

(d) Live Learn Earn the sum of £2,340

(e) Decision deferred while additional information was gathered

 

7.0     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:-

 

7.1     Jedburgh Thistle RFC

Jed Thistle RFC was an under 18s rugby club, with players involved in under 16s and under 18s teams in the Borders. However the club was about much more than playing rugby. Being part of the club players learn about the benefits of physical training, being part of a team being on time all of which contributes to building their character and respect for one another.  Players for Jed Thistle progress to play for Jed Forest, the adult team and indeed former Scotland captain Greg Laidlaw started out at Jed Thistle.

 

In order to build on what they have and improve services not just to players but also the wider community the club had applied to the Build back a better Borders Recovery Fund for funding towards the proposed extension to their club rooms – which were owned by the club.

 

The extension would provide a fitness area enabling players to train indoors during bad weather a well as a new storage space for use by both the cub and regular user groups. This would in turn free up space in the main hall, where tables and chairs were currently stored, providing a larger, and more comfortable user space for local users including the Pensioners’ Lunch Club, local Toddlers Group, Jethart Callants and Jedburgh Ladies Group.

The improvements would provide more space for activities to take place in a light and airy environment at a time when the focus was on more space and better ventilation now more than ever.  The Club had been unable to identify a single funder to cover the costs of the building work, although costs would be kept to a minimum with club members undertaking works they were able to, there were significant costs attached to materials and buying in skilled labour where required.  The club was applying for £15k towards the cost of purchasing building materials. Quotes had been provided by three suppliers and the most competitive quote used to estimate total build costs.

 

Since the assessment had been circulated Jedburgh Common Good had agreed to provide the club with a grant for £15k as well as a loan for a further £15k.  The club was at stage 2 of an application to Virador, and if unsuccessful there was the possibility of an additional £15k from the Common Good.  The application had been scored medium to high as it addressed three key aims of the Fund, these being sport, community capacity and community resilience.  Although it was hoped to complete the project within six months this was dependant on the availability of funding so an additional month had been added to the timescales as a contingency.  One of the BBBB criteria was that projects were completed within six months. I am therefore making you aware that as it stands the application does not meet the criteria of the fund.  The application scored medium/high as it addressed three key aims of the Fund, these being sport, community capacity and community resilience. 

It was agreed to bring all projects to you for discussion and it was the decision of the Area Partnership as to whether you wish to consider the application for funding or not.

 

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £15,000, subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)           the applicant must follow Scottish Government Covid19 guidance

 

7.3     Archaeology Scotland

This was an intergenerational partnership project focussing on the Cheviot Area which would be led by Archaeology Scotland working in partnership with Kelso High School and the Community Learning and Development Service, Youth Learning Tem.  The Archaeology Scotland Learning Team would deliver the project, supported by staff from the Community Learning and volunteers from the local community.  Archaeology Scotland would involve local community organisations in delivery including Kelso Heritage Society and the Local Area Coordinators team. Sessions would be delivered in school and community settings with the majority of activities taking place outdoors, exploring local heritage.  The initiative would target two groups within the community - Young people who had been identified by Kelso High School as being at risk of disengaging with mainstream education, and isolated older adults in the community.  Although these groups differ greatly in age, they have many things in common. Both groups had suffered disproportionately as a result of the pandemic, experiencing reduced access to support services, increased feelings of social isolation and negative impacts on health, wellbeing and confidence.  The workshops would explore the heritage of Kelso, offering an opportunity to share experiences and stories across generations. Archaeology Scotland have found through many heritage projects that an improved understanding and sense of place had a positive impact on participants, engendering a feeling of belonging.   The Covid-19 pandemic had a huge impact on young people's learning and wellbeing, as evidenced by numerous surveys over the past 18 months, including studies carried out by Young Scot, Youth Link Scotland and the Children's Parliament.  Key impacts highlighted by young people in these reports included increased issues around social isolation, mental health, anxiety, loss of learning and future employment prospects.  The World Health Organisation recognises that Covid-19 was also having an impact on the lives of older people in our communities, changing their daily routines, the care and support they received and their ability to stay socially connected.   Archaeology Scotland know from experience and delivering programmes across Scotland, that archaeology courses can help young people get back on a positive pathway and their broader community archaeology projects had helped older members of the community connect with each other, getting outdoors and staying active.  The application was for the sum of £8,550 and the small group workshops with hands-on, engaging activities are designed to re-build confidence and enthusiasm for learning.  During the ten sessions young people would acquire knowledge across many curriculum areas including Languages, Mathematics, Social Studies and Sciences. They would learn new job-specific skills such as surveying and historic building recording while developing the transferable meta-skills which underpin archaeology and help create adaptive, confident leaners.

 

 

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £8,550, subject to the following conditions:

 

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

            delivering the service.

 

7.4     Bodyzone

Athletics & Strength Gym T/A Bodyzone were a Scottish Charity whose aim and objectives were to improve health, general well-being and fitness of people living in the Scottish Borders, without distinction of sex, sexuality, Political, religious or other opinions and to provide recreational facilities for use by members of the general public in the Scottish Borders with the object of improving their conditions of life.  The gym had focused on strength training but wanted to widen its appeal to the community by providing cardiovascular training facilities and were seeking funding in the sum of £5,373 to invest in a treadmill and exercise bike to offer a wider range of training options to current and potential new members.  By installing the proposed new equipment, Bodyzone would be able to give all members of the community a place where they could improve their health and wellbeing, reducing levels of stress and anxiety caused by Covid-19 restrictions.  Users would be offered free advice and programmes by Bodyzone’s two qualified trainers to help use the equipment and achieve personal goals.  The pandemic had not only affected the running of the gym, but the members who were using the facility and had been closed completely during two lockdowns with no income and then had to limit two members per hour to ensure social distancing rules were adhered to.  The gym is run on a membership model which costs £20 per month.  This allowed members 24 hr access through a key card system, allowing members to train whenever time suited them.  This appealed to shift workers and those suffering from mental health and body issues.  The impact of the new initiative would allow the gym to broaden its customer base and improve its facilities and increase the health and wellbeing of the local community.  The application scored medium as it would provide access to cardio vascular training equipment encouraging users to develop their fitness but did not meet the criteria of the BBBB fund as there were no low/no cost membership available.

 

DECISION

AGREED to award the sum of £5,373, subject to the following conditions:

 

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

 

(ii)          the necessary insurance must be in place.