Agenda item

Eildon Assessment Panel to present funding recommendations for the following NSF applications:

·                Perfect Harmony

·                Earlston Bumps, Babies & Toddlers Group

·                Hike and Bike Hub

·                Melrose in Bloom

·                At Birkhill House

(To Follow.)

5.1       There had been circulated copies of the Eildon Assessment Panel’s recommendations as a supplement to the agenda. The Chair welcomed Ms Jenny Mushlin of the Eildon Assessment Panel to provide an overview of each of the recommendations. 

5.2       Earlston Bumps, Babies and Toddler Group 

Earlston Bumps, Babies and Toddler Group had applied for £3,763.39 to provide support and friendship to parents attending their group.  Wider family members would also be encouraged to attend.  The support would be used to help support training costs.  The Panel was keen to support the group, and had recommended to part-fund the project with a grant of £1.5k.  Members unanimously agreed to approve the application.

5.3       Perfect Harmony

            The application from Perfect Harmony was for £3k to allow the group, made up of local musicians, to provide more concerts in nursing homes, residential homes, sheltered housing, hospitals and day care centres across the Scottish Borders.  Perfect Harmony had indicated that the funding would allow them to provide an additional 40 concerns per year throughout 13 care facilities in the Eildon locality.  The Panel was fully supportive of the group, and highlighted that the concerts were free at the point of access. If the group was unsuccessful in other securing funding in other localities, then the Panel felt that that the funding provided by the Eildon Area Partnership should be ring-fenced for Eildon performances only.  Members unanimously agreed to approve the application.

5.4       Hike and Bike Hub

            Hike and Bike Hub had applied for £8.2k, which would be used to cover the annual lease costs of a unit in Galashiels.  The group aimed to promote active travel in the region, and were opening a centre which would offer affordable bike hire, servicing, led cycles and guided walks.  The Panel was very supportive of the group, but were keen to see how sustainable the project was, and had therefore recommended to part-fund with a grant of £4.1k.  The Panel indicated that this would allow the group to cover 6 months of their rent, and encouraged a further application to the NSF in 6 months if they could evidence that the project was doing well.  Angela Crow of the Hub was present, and explained that plans to open a unit on Douglas Bridge in Galashiels had fallen through due to safety issues.  The premises which would be rented were owned by a local landlord.  In response to a question regarding whether SBC had been able to offer assistance finding a low rent space, Mrs Crow confirmed that SBC had been unable to find an available premises.  Mrs Crow encouraged all attendees to visit the official opening ceremony of the Hub.

5.5       Melrose in Bloom

            The application from Melrose in Bloom was for £5.75k to fund the replacement of a dilapidated wooden fence.  It had not been possible to determine who ownership of the land.  The Panel had recommended not to fund the application, but were happy that if ownership was established to consider a new application.  Mr Coltman explained that since the Panel had met, he had received confirmation that the land in question was not owned by SBC.  The Panel were content for Melrose in Bloom to submit a new application once they had undertaken their due diligence and confirmed ownership of the key area of land.  The Chair encouraged the Group to consider engaging with the Criminal Justice Team for assistance with delivery of the project, as recently shared photographs had shown excellent works delivered at reasonable cost.   Members unanimously agreed not to grant the funding.

5.6       At Birkhill House CIC

            The application was for £10.1k to help support costs associated with creating a “Fleece and Fibre” hub.  This would enable people to learn new techniques and skills with fibre and fleece.  The Panel felt that the group delivered important activities for the community, and that there was general support for their plans.  It was felt that the application could benefit from a business plan and timeline in order to understand how their project would be delivered.  Members unanimously agreed not to fund the project.

MEMBER

Councillor Sinclair left the meeting during the discussion below.