Agenda item

Presentation by Els Nicol and Sandra Millar, SBC Community Learning and Development.  (Copies attached.)

5.1       There had been circulated copies of the Berwickshire Learning Community Plan for 2015-18.  The Chairman welcomed Els Nicol and Sandra Millar from the Council's Community Learning and Development section to the meeting.  They explained that a "Learning Community Plan (CLP) sought to address the learning needs of its locality through partnership.  It used the strengths of institutions, public, private and voluntary services and community groups to enable young people and adults to achieve their full potential.  Learning communities used learning as a way to build community capacity and to promote social cohesion, social inclusion, regeneration and economic development."  Ms Nicol went on to explain the benefits of this type of partnership, emphasising the importance of local knowledge both by individuals and organisations, and how such arrangements could best work for the community as a whole.   Education Scotland inspections across the country had demonstrated that effective planning and evaluation by CLPs stimulated community benefit and current Community Learning Development regulations required that a 3 Year Strategic Plan was in place for the Scottish Borders.

5.2       There were 9 LCPs in the Scottish Borders, each based around the High School areas and co-ordinated by Community Learning Development Workers (CLDWs).  Each CLP looked at 5 strains of inequality within its local community, namely: Economic; Health & Wellbeing; Achievement & Attainment; Keeping People Safe; and Housing.  The required 3 year Plans were operational, with the first year almost at an end and local actions had been prioritised, with all partners being committed to the delivery of the Plan.

5.3       Within the Berwickshire area, there were two LCP Local Action Plans in existence, the first of these being Berwickshire.  Following identification of local community concerns, actions currently being taken forward were: under Employment and Income where lack of transport and associated problems were seen to increase inequalities, action was to set up a Transport Consultation Group with young people to address these issues so that, eg young people were in a much stronger position to sustain employment;  under Health & Wellbeing and Keeping People Safe a lack of mental health services in the locality had been identified, and the agreed action was to build emotional resilience with 10-14 year olds; a lack of support during the transition from Primary to High School had been identified as a concern under Skills and Attainment and a number of projects had subsequently been established to assist in making progress such as the Living with Parents programme for Primary School pupils, the Transition Research Project at Berwickshire High School and new work experience/volunteering opportunities for Adults with Special Needs.  Ms Millar went on to explain that three priorities had been identified by the Eyemouth Learning Community Partnership, namely under Health & Wellbeing; Employment & Income; and Transport.  The Partnership would strive to strengthen and develop emotional health and wellbeing support for pre-16 year olds; develop and improve provision of positive destinations for young people; and initiate consultation on transport issues in Berwickshire, including participation in a pilot project along with the Strategic Transport Board.

5.4       In going forward, Ms Nicol explained that the first self-evaluation of the Plans with all relevant partners would take place during May and June 2016, followed by publication of the updated Plans in July/August 2016.  Partnership working would continue to address local inequalities and improve the services for everyone in the area.  Ms Nicol and Ms Millar provided clarification on a number of points raised.  Financial and other targets/efficiencies were being met and sharing of resources within the Partnership had improved since the establishment of the CLP.  Ms Nicol emphasised that the Partnership was for the benefit of the whole community and included opportunities for people where English was not the first language.  Within the Eyemouth CLP catchment, thirteen different languages were spoken and there were a number of self-supporting groups in this area.  A discussion followed in relation to the title of each of the Plans.  It was explained that the titles reflected the High School areas and the coverage of each Plan included the whole community.  Following further discussion, the Forum agreed to look into the options for re-aligning the Learning Community Plans to reflect Berwickshire High School, Mid-Berwickshire and Duns.  The Forum would receive an update in due course.  The Chairman thanked Ms Nicol and Ms Millar for their attendance and presentation.

            DECISION

            NOTED the presentation.