NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL
12 February 2019
Cabinet
Title: Proposals for Community Investment Fund (CIF) Expenditure
Purpose: To determine applications by Locality Partnerships to allocate CIF funding to a range of proposed projects.
Recommendation: That Cabinet:
a) Reviews the enclosed applications from the Locality Partnerships in line with CIF criteria; b) Makes recommendations in relation to the applications; c) Approves expenditure where relevant; d) Agrees to accept further future applications from Locality Partnerships for CIF funding; and e) Agrees to accept future reports on the progress of the initiatives at dates to be agreed with the Locality Partnerships.
1. Executive Summary
1.1 Within its budget for 2017-18, North Ayrshire Council provided a funding allocation for the creation of an innovative fund to enable communities to address the priorities they have identified though Locality Planning Partnerships and within the context of North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership’s Fair for All strategy.
1.2 Locality Partnerships have subsequently continued to work on their local action plans and are refining proposals for expenditure in line with their locally identified needs. This is a challenging process, and it is a testament to the dedication of the Locality Partnerships and their community partners that proposals are now emerging to provide creative approaches to addressing local challenges.
1.3 This report brings forward three proposals, each of which respond to the specific needs of the local community and which have been developed based on local circumstances and opportunities.
1.4 These proposals have been approved to be submitted to Cabinet through a process of collaboration and consensus by the respective Locality Partnerships.
2. Background
2.1 Within its budget for 2017-18, North Ayrshire Council provided an allocation for the creation of an innovative fund to enable communities to address the priorities they have identified though Locality Planning Partnerships and within the context of North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership’s Fair for All strategy, to be distributed among Localities as follows:
Locality Population Value
Irvine 29% £754,000 Kilwinning 11% £286,000 3 Towns 23% £598,000 Garnock Valley 15% £390,000 North Coast 18% £468,000 Arran 4% £104,000
2.2 It was agreed that the CIF will support proposals and projects that connect with:
• The North Ayrshire Fair for All Inequalities Strategy; • The Community Planning Partnership and Locality priorities; and • North Ayrshire Council’s values, priorities and business objectives. • Fulfil a compelling need and do not duplicate existing services or facilities; • Provide long-term, sustainable, positive results for the greatest number of people possible; • Exhibit project and/or organisational innovation in their approaches to their work in their way of addressing community challenges and in their request to Locality Partnerships and the Council; • Come from (an) organisation(s) that is financially viable (can provide financial statements upon request) and efficiently and effectively managed. This can include an organisation to be created to deliver the project; • Include options or potential for NAC and CPP employee engagement and volunteering where possible; and • Include measurable outcomes and can report to NAC on outcomes on a regular basis.
2.3 The proposal development and application process has been agreed as follows:
• Locality Partnerships should continue to engage with their communities, and stimulate interest in the CIF. The Locality Partnership will then strategically assess the applications, make links and look at the funding ‘in the round.’ • If the partnership supports a bid then the group will be encouraged to submit a full application form, which they will decide upon before making a proposal to Cabinet for final approval. • The finalised proposal will go to the next suitable Cabinet for final approval.
2.4 The enclosed applications have been developed by Locality Partnerships and North Ayrshire Council officers and are now recommended for approval by Cabinet. The proposals are as follows:
2.4.1 Garnock Valley Locality Partnership: The Moving around Workgroup was convened by the Locality Planning Partnership to discuss and develop ideas to improve the lives of residents of the Garnock Valley through increased mobility and accessibility to facilities, amenities and employment opportunities. The principal aim of the Travel Needs Analysis is to investigate what can be done to improve accessibility to employment, education, social and leisure activities and health services. £25,000 is requested to procure an organisation to undertake the analysis and guide future actions by partners. 2.4.2 North Coast Locality Partnership:
Clearer Minds: Largs Academy Mental Health Ambassadors, made up of 5th and 6th year pupils, supported by the school Guidance team: the proposal will deliver Clearer Minds, a unique, practical programme to improve pupil mental health. The group will work with mental health specialists, HeadStrong to deliver a brand new programme to support Largs Academy pupils to improve resilience, build coping strategies, speak out, value each other and ensure change, hope and positive mental health. The overall aim is to promote positive mental health in a series of assemblies, workshops, 1-1 support and staff and parent training over a period of 18 months, covering the end of the 2018-19 term and the full academic year 2019-20. The funding request is £30,200, with seed funding already obtained from North Ayrshire Council’s Participatory Budgeting programme.
3. Proposals
It is proposed that Cabinet:
3.1 Reviews the enclosed applications, as detailed at Para. 2.4 above and within Appendices 1 and 2, attached;
3.2 Makes recommendations in relation to the applications;
3.3 Approves expenditure where relevant;
3.4 Agrees to accept further future applications from Locality Partnerships for CIF funding; and
3.5 Agrees to accept future reports on the progress of the initiatives at dates to be agreed with the Locality Partnerships.
4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty
Financial: The CIF funding has been allocated proportionately across Localities. The attached applications are the next to be drawn down from the existing funds (see 2.1 above). North Ayrshire Council Finance officers will monitor the draw down and spend of the funds. Human Resources: There are no human resource arising directly from this report. Legal: There are no legal implications arising directly from this report. Equality/Socio-economic There are no equality implications arising directly from this Duty: report.
The purpose of Locality Planning is to reduce inequalities. Each of the CIF proposals is tested against that purpose before being presented to Cabinet.
Children and Young People will be considered and prioritised by Locality Planning Partnerships in each of the projects. These CIF proposals propose particular benefits for children and young people, who have also been consulted as part of the process.
Children and Young Children and Young People will be considered and People: prioritised by Locality Planning Partnerships in each of the projects. These CIF proposals propose particular benefits for children and young people, who have also been consulted as part of the process.
Environmental & There are no Environmental & Sustainability implications Sustainability: arising directly from this report.
Key Priorities: The proposals contained within the report support the North Ayrshire Council Plan 2015-2020 priorities: • Priority 1: Growing our economy, increasing employment and regenerating towns • Priority 2: Working together to build stronger communities • Priority 3: Ensuring people have the right skills for learning, life and work. Priority 4: Supporting people to stay safe, healthy and active Community Benefits: N/A
5. Consultation
5.1 The proposals contained within this report have been developed and approved by the respective Locality Partnerships, through consultation with local people, including young people.
Karen Yeomans Executive Director (Economy & Communities)
For further information please contact Audrey Sutton, Head of Service (Connected Communities), on (01294) 324414.
Background Papers Appendix 1: Garnock Valley Appendix 2: North Coast
Appendix 1: Community Investment Fund: Proposal to Cabinet
Organisation Garnock Valley Locality Partnership: Moving Around Workgroup name The Moving Around Workgroup is a sub-group of Garnock Valley Locality Partnership. The Working Group was set up in February 2018 to work collaboratively to take forward actions identified by the community, which are highlighted in the Garnock Valley Locality Action Plan.
The group is chaired by Dalry Community Council. Other members of the working Brief details of group include representatives from: Dalry Community Council, Beith Community organisation Development Trust, Dalry Community Sports Club and Project Kilbirnie.
The group meets monthly and have worked hard since coming together to tackle the priority of Moving Around as part of the locality action plan and have identified the production of an independent travel needs analysis as an essential requirement in producing evidence that will enable solutions, and access to wider funding opportunities.
Garnock Valley Locality
£25,000 Amount
requested The total cost of the project is £25,000. from CIF
The Moving Around Workgroup was convened by the Locality Planning Partnership to discuss and develop ideas to improve the lives of residents of the Garnock Valley through increased mobility and accessibility to facilities, amenities and employment opportunities.
A range of engagements (below) has identified travel/moving around as a priority issue and this culminated in the Garnock Valley Locality Action Plan. The CIF funding will enable further, more in-depth engagement, specifically around travel needs:
• Locality Plan engagement Brief overview of • GV Charrette proposal • Place Standards • Cost of The School Day report.
The Garnock Valley has a population of circa 21,000, spread across three main settlements (Beith, Dalry and Kilbirnie) and two villages (Barmill and Gateside).
The principal aim of the Travel Needs Analysis is to investigate what can be done to improve accessibility to employment, education, social and leisure activities and health services.
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The remit of the consultation will be:
• To identify gaps in provision; and • To highlight any practical barriers to travel, such as cost, time or other constraints.
The analysis will focus both on journeys which are already made, and also those which would be made if they were more practical. The demographics of the area determine that there will be a wide variance in travel needs. The workgroup recognise the importance of providing solutions which will make a sustainable difference to the lives of the community.
There is high unemployment in the Garnock Valley. Most people have to travel outside the area for employment. Some unemployed residents are required to travel to the DWP office in Saltcoats. High travel costs or the lack of viable transport options could prevent people from taking lower paid jobs outside the area or from attending amenities designed to make them more employable. Accessing health services outside of those provided by the local medical practice involves travel and cost.
As an example, it can, at times, take 45 minutes to travel 3 miles by bus from Kilbirnie to Dalry, due to the route. A return journey can cost £5.40.
An accurate determination of which journeys are important to people, and an identification of themes and patterns, can be used to ensure that viable solutions can be put in place to resolve the biggest / most common issues. The complexity of the problem coupled with the importance of the outcome dictate that a highly professional approach be taken to the analysis.
The proposed Travel Needs Analysis would be a new initiative for the Garnock Valley. Travel analysis is carried out by SPT, and various transport companies, but a more localised analysis will highlight the specific needs of the Garnock Valley and have the potential to identify bespoke solutions which will guide further action by partners.
The project will be managed by members of the Moving Around Working Group, who will liaise with consultants, ensuring monitoring, support and review throughout the project.
Potentially, there may be a number of volunteering opportunities to assist the consultants and therefore increase the number of engagements with community members.
The working group will identify a host organisation within the local community where the consultants can be based.
Members of the Moving Around group will hold weekly monitoring meetings with consultants to provide assistance where required. Updates will be produced for monthly working group meetings and a quarterly update will be submitted to the Locality Planning Partnership. An evaluation meeting will conclude the project, where information will be gathered and collated and recommendations shared.
The organisation which will carry out the study will be procured by May 2019 and Timescales at that stage the length of the study will be agreed.
Christina Pieraccini Locality Officer - Garnock Valley Contact details Cpieraccini~north-ayrshire.gov.uk Telephone: 01505 680203
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Appendix 2: Community Investment Fund: Proposal to Cabinet
Organisation Clearer Minds: Largs Academy Mental Health Ambassadors, made up of name 5th and 6th year pupils, supported by the school Guidance team. Largs Academy is a North Ayrshire Local Authority Secondary School which has been in existence for more than 40 years. It provides education to senior pupils from Secondary 1-6.
Clearer Minds is led by Corrie Shepherd, Pupil, and Grace Furey, Guidance Teacher.
Largs Academy Vision and Values Brief details of Largs Academy provides all young people with the opportunity to work and organisation learn within a respectful and nurturing environment, where achievement is celebrated in class, in school, and within the wider community. We endeavour to change lives and transform the school through inspiring, supporting and challenging young people to take responsibility for their learning, to recognise opportunities, and fulfil their ambitions. Respect, achievement, community, responsibility and ambition are the core values we aspire to live by, and aim to demonstrate, in all aspects of school life, on a daily basis. North Coast & Cumbraes Locality
Amount £30,200 requested from CIF 1. Following the tragic death of a 2nd year pupil we would like to deliver Clearer Minds, a unique, practical programme to improve pupil mental health. We will work with mental health specialists, HeadStrong to deliver a brand new programme to support Largs Academy pupils to improve resilience, build coping strategies, speak out, value each other and ensure change, hope and positive mental health. Our overall aim is to promote positive mental health in a series of assemblies, workshops, 1-1 support and staff and parent training over a period of 18 months, covering the end of the 2018-19 term and the full academic year 2019- 20.
Brief overview 2. Stage 1 - This will consist of 6 assemblies and initial workshops for of proposal each year group, S1-S6. We have successfully achieved the initial £1800 to cover these costs from the North Ayrshire Participatory Budgeting scheme with a little extra for promotion of the Clearer Minds Programme. Corrie has met with Brian Costello from HeadStrong who has agreed to support her initiative and offer a tailor made programme which will be implemented following the initial stage 1 of assemblies and workshops.
3. Stage 2 – This stage will build on the initial stage and introduce a tailor made programme for each year group P7-S6, addressing age/year group appropriate mental health issues. HeadStrong will design and
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deliver this programme in partnership with the school and based on consultation with pupils from each year group, staff and parents.
4. At this stage there will also be 1-1 sessions for those who need more individual support, CPD for school staff including teaching and service staff and the PTA, parent workshops and workshops for pupils with Additional Support Needs.
5. To aid sustainability, School Buddies will be trained in Mental Health awareness and a dedicated team of 30-35 Pupils will apply and be selected to become Peer Educator Pupil Coaches. The Pupil Coaches will be trained to train their peers. A select number of staff and PTA members will receive intensive training to support other staff members.
6. HeadStrong’s team are experienced coaches and they deliver practical, workable strategies to young people’s challenges while also ensuring a constant message of change, hope and positive mental health.
7. The Clearer Minds addresses the Locality Partnership’s priority of Stress and Anxiety – Younger People and fits well with North Ayrshire’s Health and Social Care strategic plan and the school’s vision to foster positive relationships within the communities to which we belong. Our plan is to empower pupils to be confident individuals and responsible citizens in line with the Curriculum for Excellence.
8. David Newbigging is a BAFTA New Talent winning Director and Storyboard Artist and he will work with young people to make 6 short videos through 3 film-making workshops. David and the Mental Health Ambassadors will hold 2 comic book/writing workshops with a comic writer/artist and produce an augmented reality comic, including colour printing. The comic and videos will be used to promote Clearer Minds Project and mental health awareness.
9. Clearer Minds has volunteering opportunities for pupils who wish to be in the Mental Health Ambassador’s Group and currently there are 15+ members, film making and comic production. These opportunities can be put towards Saltire Awards, Duke of Edinburgh and other similar volunteering initiatives
10. The plan is to talk with and record the feelings of pupils before the programme starts and then do the same at the end and measure the distance pupils have travelled. We will monitor and record how many 1-1 sessions are delivered to pupils and gain staff and parent feedback before and after their CPD to monitor the effectiveness of the training and how they might apply it to their work with the pupils in strengthening their mental health.
January 2019 with the PB funded Stage 1 assembly work and Stage 2 by Timescales April 2019.
Louise Riddex – Locality Partnership Coordinator 01294 475913 Contact details [email protected]
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