Agenda item

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

·       Lauderdale Youth Football Club

·       Selkirk Bowling Club

·       Interest Link Borders

·       Lauderdale Community and Leisure Centre

·       Lauderdale Initiative

·       TD1 Youth Hub (additional supplementary document attached.)

(Copy attached.)

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

8.2       Lauderdale Youth Football Club

Lauderdale Youth Football Club had applied for £10k of funding to help upgrade the existing natural grass main pitches and training pitches.  The pitches were in poor condition.  The land was owned by the Lauder Common Good.  Ms Mushlin explained that the Panel had expressed concerns regarding the use of community funding to deliver the project due to the need to renovate the pitches in 10 years’ time.  There also needed to be more community engagement for the project evidenced.  The panel had recommended that Lauderdale YFC continued to seek alternative funding and had recommended not to fund the project.   It was unanimously agreed not to fund the project. 

8.3       Selkirk Bowling Club  

            The application from Selkirk Bowling Club had been for £9,024 which would be used to repair the roof of the club building.  The repairs were essential so that the club continue to offer a safe space of members and volunteers.  The Panel had felt that they were unsure whether the NSF was the most appropriate Fund for a project of this type.  It had been recommended that the group consider exploring energy efficient upgrades to the roof rather than undertake the planned repairs.  The Panel had recommended not to fund the project and recommended that the Club consider submitting an enquiry to the CARES fund administered by Local Energy Scotland.  Attendees discussed the application, unanimously agreed with the recommendation of the Panel not to fund and encouraged the Club to contact Local Energy Scotland. 

8.4       Interest Link Borders

            An application of £10k had been received from Interest Link Borders. The grant applied for would allow Interest Link to deliver 12 1:1 sessions for its members.   There would be ten befriending groups which would benefit a large group of people with learning disabilities across a range of ages. The Panel acknowledged the efforts to secure funding for the whole project and had recommended to fund the project in full.  Attendees welcomed the application, and it was unanimously approved. 

8.5       Lauderdale Community and Leisure centre  

            Lauderdale Community and Leisure Centre (LCLC) had applied for £7985.54 to cover all regular and one-off costs during lower income periods so that it could remain open during winter when usage was higher.  Significant steps had been taken to reduce monthly costs however significantly increased utility costs remained a problem.  The Panel considered that the application aligned with the criteria of the NSF and would support an organisation whose future was at serious risk.  Extensive discussions regarding the risk associated with providing the level of funding applied for had taken place, and the Panel had recommended to approve the application in full.  It was agreed that should the application be granted that LCLC be required to speak to Borders Community Action regarding implementing a different management model. Attendees unanimously agreed to approve the application in full. 

8.6       Lauderdale Initiative  

            The application from Lauder Initiative was for £10k to increase the number of lights installed alongside the A68 lampposts, to enhance the visual impact of festival lighting by filling the gaps in existing lighting.  They would also purchase a marquee to be used for craft stalls, food and drink vendors and community groups to attend the annual switch on community event.  The Panel was appreciative of the consultation work that had asked the community of Lauder what they would like to see in their town.  The funding applied for would benefit the whole of Lauder and would increase the level of community engage and the sense of pride in Lauder.  Concerns had been expressed regarding the purchase of a marquee as there had been a significant number of gazebos purchased using community funds in the past.  The Panel recommended to fund the application in full.   Attendees discussed the application, highlighting the importance of insuring the marquee.  Any community group using the marquee would be able to do so free of charge but must assume responsibility for ensuring that no damages occurred in its use.  It was unanimously agreed to fund the application in full.  The award letter would stipulate that the marquee must be made available to Community Groups throughout the Scottish Borders for no charge. 

8.7       TD1 Youth Hub  

            TD1 Youth Hub had applied for £9360 which would be used to provide a range of weekly activities for young people.  The activities would be focused on improving mental health and well-being, primarily for those aged between 10-14 years old.  The Panel had considered the application, and whilst they acknowledged the important work undertaken by TD1 Youth Hub, had recommended not to fund the application and recommend that the group consider exploring other funding sources. The Panel had noted that since 2019/20 the group had been in receipt of support from SBC community funds totalling £30,233.  A document providing supplementary information had been circulated with the agenda.  Douglas Ormston of TD1 Youth Hub was present at the meeting and was invited to provide a brief presentation on the work of his group.  Mr Ormston acknowledged the difficult decisions being made by the Assessment Panel and explained that the two organisations suggested as other sources of funding were not available.  It was acknowledged that the group had received previous community funding in the past, however no community fund applications had been granted in the previous two years.  The group has been in receipt of one-off funding from the Build Back a Better Borders Fund.  Mr Ormston explained that there were ongoing concerns regarding anti-social behaviour at the transport interchange in Galashiels, and that the planned activities would be focused on trying to engage with local young people and improve that situation.  Attendees discussed the application and whilst there was some apprehension regarding approving the application it was unanimously agreed to approve it in full.  In response to a question regarding the number of days a week the activities would take place, Mr Ormston confirmed that the plans were in place for Friday and one other evening during the week.  The Chair expressed her thanks to the Panel for their important work.