Agenda item

(a)       Overview of Community Funding – SBC Communities and Partnership Team

(b)       Cheviot Funding Table 2022/23 – SBC Communities & Partnership Team

(c)       Neighbourhood Support Fund

(d)       Cheviot Assessment Panel to present funding recommendations for the following NSGF applications:

(i)        Abundant Borders

(ii)       QME

(e)       The National Lottery – Community Funding

Neal Bennison Funding Officer, National Lottery

(f)        Participatory Budgeting

SBC Communities & Partnership Team

SECTION 3: COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND COMMUNITY FUNDING

There had been circulated copies of the Cheviot Funding for 2022/2023 which detailed the funding available together with information on the allocation of the Community Grant Fund in 2022/23.  The opening balance at 1 April 2022 was £80,268.39 plus an underspend from the Community Fund in 2021/22 of £28,640.65 and an underspend in the Local Festival Grant in 2021/22 of £2,953.00, which resulted in an overall budget of £111,862.04.  Neighbourhood Support Fund applications assessed and awaiting a decision totalled £4,237.72, totalling an overall budget of £107,624.32.  Other sources of funding included Local Festival Grant Budget totalling £16,675.00, Annual Support Grant to Community Councils totalling £11,100.00, Common Goods, SBC Enhancement Grant, SBC Welfare Grant and SBC Small Schemes totalled.

     6.1    Other sources of Grant Funding for Cheviot totalled £110,706.17, less Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund applications awarded totalling £2,492.000.  In response to questions about the underspend in the Festival Grant Funding, Ms Jardine agreed to provide a breakdown.  Councillor Scott requested information on the £7,900 shown against the Jedburgh Common Good and Councillor Mountford requested that the criteria on the Welfare Grant be refreshed.  It was noted that there was a large underspend in the Small Schemes Budget and information on the criteria and process for small schemes was requested.  In response to a question from Community Councillor Gavin Horsburgh in regards to how often the Community Council Grant was reviewed, Ms Jardine agreed to look into the matter.

          DECISION

NOTED.

7.       CHEVIOT COMMUNITY FUND 20/23

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.

7.1     St Boswells Golf Club 

An application was received for loft insulation in the Clubhouse. The application was deferred at the last Panel meeting due to lack of clarity with regard to the golf club’s reserves.  The information was provided to Panel Members at their meeting in June, and following a lengthy discussion, the Panel concluded they could not support the application.

Key points influencing the Panel’s decision were:

·       No community involvement or benefit

·       There were more suitable funds available to support this project

The Panel recommended no award be made.

7.2     Abundant Borders

An application was received to create a community garden that will provide residents with the skills they need to grow their own food. The project will clean an unused area within a social housing development and children from the high school will also benefit. The Panel were supportive of the project and the key points influencing the Panel’s decision were:

·       Create an accessible community space

·       Community empowerment with connection to the High School

·       Supports the healthy living agenda

The Panel recommend awarding £2,492.

7.3     QME CARE

An application was received for a secure storage area for bikes to encourage employees and visitors to cycle to the care home. The Panel had a lengthy discussion and concluded that they could not support the application.  Key points influencing the Panel’s decision were:

·       This should be a cost met by the employer

·       There were more suitable funds available to support this project

The Panel recommended no award be made.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)        that the sum of £2,942 be awarded to Abundant Borders; and  

(b)       that no award be made to the following

·         QME Care

·         St Boswells Golf Club

7.4     Term of Office of Panel Members

With reference to paragraph 5.2, of the Minute of 23 March 2022, the Area Partnership had not agreed to change the term of Office of the Assessment Panel and requested that the Panel submit an alternative proposal.   The Cheviot Assessment Panel had discussed the proposal of a rolling annual membership over three years for the Cheviot Assessment Panel was a reasonable request for consideration by the Area Partnership. The Panel were of the opinion that this would allow for continuity moving forward.

DECISION

AGREED.

8.       The National Lottery – Community Funding

Mr Neal Bennison, Funding Officer, National Community Fund was present at the meeting to give a brief summary of funding available through the ongoing programmes Awards for All which awards up to £10,000 and Young Start which awards up to £100,000.   Funding Streams which close on 30 September 2022 were Community Led which awards up to £150,000 and Improving Lives which awards up to £200,000.  There had not been a large amount of applications for the Cheviot Area and awards had been made to the Men Shed, Yetholm Community Shop and Cheviot Youth.  Mr Bennison answered questions.

Neal Bennison <Neal.Bennison@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk 01412421446   07976322674

Contact information – stewart.sanderson@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk – Tel: 07971879837

9.       Participatory Budgeting

            Community Choices – Participatory Budgeting Update

With reference to paragraph 4.3 of the Minute of 23 March 2022, Ms Jardine

provided an update on how SBC was embedding Community Choices (CC) as the way we do our business, the e-learning module for staff had been created and was being finalised ready for staff use.  The purpose of this was to make sure all staff understood Community Choices so that the community could be better supported to be part of the decision making process.   Opportunities for Community Choices activities across various departments were activity sought, including Education, Roads, and public transport and social work services.  This was an ongoing conversation and we would provide an update at each meeting on where Community Choices activities were happening in relation to SBC budgets.  Outside of SBC, if anyone wishes to look at a Community Choices event in the community, such as the pupils at Peebles HS, support to communities can be provided.  In response to a question, Ms Jardine confirmed that as participatory budgeting developed, different ways of working Community Choices would be developed by the Council. 

DECISION

AGREED that participatory budgeting would be a recurring Agenda item.