Agenda item

NSF recommendations to be presented by the Cheviot assessment panel on the following applications:

·      CFA000206 Lothian Hall

·      CFA000207 Borders Youth Theatre

·      CFA000204 Springwood Retirement Village

Neighbourhood Support Fund

8.2      There had been further discussion on the recruitment of Members to the Panel and Panel Members had sought clarification on who was eligible to sit on the assessment panel. Officers confirmed there were eight member places as follows:

1.        Jedburgh Community Councillor

2.        Jedburgh District Community Councillor – Vacant

3.        Kelso Community Councillor

4.        Kelso District Community Councillor – Vacant

5.        Jedburgh & District Public Member – Vacant

6.        Jedburgh and District Public Member – Vacant

7.        Kelso and District Public Member – Position becoming vacant at end of fiscal year.

8.        Kelso and District Public Member

8.3       It was highlighted the public members can be anyone over the age of 16 who live within the Cheviot Area and could be Community Councillors if their community council place was already filled.  The panel discussed how best to promote the opportunity to attract new members and encourage Community Councils to nominate a panel member.

8.4       Jedburgh District could nominate one member from either of the following Community Councils: Ancrum; Crailing, Eckford & Nisbet; Jed Valley; Lanton; Maxton & Mertoun; Oxnam Water; St Boswell’s.

8.5       Kelso District could nominate one member from either of the following Community Councils: Ednam, Stichill & Berrymoss; Floors, Makerstoun, Nenthorn and Smailholm; Heiton and Roxburgh; Kalewater; Sprouston; Yetholm.

8.6       There had been 3 applications received for the Cheviot Neighbourhood Support Fund totalling £5,019.18.  There had been circulated copies of a report which provided a brief description of each application received and a recommendation on the sum to be awarded to each project.  As previously reported, projects with a mean score of 80+ in terms of their ability to deliver, clear evidence of need, potential impact, use of public money, innovation and sustainability and therefore would be recommended for approval and those were detailed below: -

8.7       Springwood Retirement Village

An application in the sum of £1,339.03 had been submitted from the Springwood Retirement Village to support with costs of hosting monthly coffee mornings.  The group wished to source items such as crockery as well as raffle prizes and resources for advertising the events.  The group were very active in the community and had over 90 attendees.  Due to these numbers, they had not advertised outside the retirement community however anyone who would like to come along would be welcome.  It was noted that many residents were unable to drive so having access to a social activity within walking distance was vital.  The panel agreed to recommend the project for funding however it was felt that the element of the £100 for raffle prizes should not be awarded.  The recommended total for awarding would therefore be £1,239.03.

8.8       Lothian Hall, Crailing

An application in the sum of £5,877 had been submitted by the Lothian Hall Committee to support the refurbishment of Lothian Hall as well as a re-launch event.  The group hoped to refresh the Hall by repainting to create a more welcoming space for community members to use.  The Committee would like to offer the space to host weddings and parties and by hosting a re-launch, hoped to attract more bookings.  The funding would also be used for the purchase of wine glasses and table runners and for the hire a ceilidh band for the re-launch.  The refurbishment and paint works could not be supported as they were already completed and the NSF did not fund retrospect projects, so this element was not eligible for consideration.  Therefore, the panel concluded that they would recommend supporting the costs of the relaunch event but not the refurbishment, totalling £420.

8.9       Borders Youth Theatre

An application in the sum of £1,100 had been submitted by the Borders Youth Theatre to support with the cost of running a performance piece in Jedburgh entitled ‘Who is Lavinia Derwent’.  Lavinia Derwent was born in Jedburgh and was the author of children’s stories. Workshops in the local primary school and community would also be delivered as part of the project.  The funding would support the hire of writers for the production as well as rent costs and support with admin.  As the Cheviot NSF did support staffing costs within its criteria, BYT were contacted to provide clarity on the staffing element and had confirmed that they were subcontracting their writers.  The panel agreed this was a worthwhile project that brought many benefits and opportunities to its young people therefore it was agreed to fund the application for the full amount of £1,100.

          DECISION

(a)          AGREED that the following sums be awarded to each of those listed: -

·         Springwood Retirement Village  - £1,239.03

·         Lothian Hall, Crailing - £420

·         Borders Youth Theatre - £1,100

(i)            The timetable for future meetings as follows: -