Kincardine and Mearns
Local Community Plan
2016-2019
If you need a copy of this document in an alternative language or in large print or in Braille please telephone 01224 664658.
Jeśli chcesz otrzymać kopię tego dokumentu w innym języku, napisanego dużą czcionką lub w języku Braille'a, proszę zadzwonić pod numer 01569 768206.
Ja Jums ir nepieciešama šī dokumenta kopija citā valodā, lielformāta drukā vai braila rakstā, lūdzu, zvaniet pa tālruni: 01569 768206.
Если Вы нуждаетесь в копии этого документа на другом языке, укрупненным шрифтом или шрифтом Брайля, просим Вас позвонить по телефону 01569 768206.
Prašau skambinkite tel. 01569 768206 jei jums reikalinga į jūsųkalbą išversto dokumento kopija ar pageidaujate didelėmis raidėmis ar Brailiu.
Cover: Giclee print of Fettercairn by Alan Potter, as part of a project commissioned by Mearns Public Art Steering Group and funded by Aberdeenshire Council and Mearns Area Partnership.
Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
Contents
Foreword ...... 2
Executive Summary ...... 3
The Kincardine and Mearns Area ...... 5
What Our Engagement and Horizon Scanning Told Us...... 8
How the Kincardine and Mearns Community Plan outcomes link into the Scottish Government’s National Outcomes ...... 11
Developing the Plan ...... 13
Priority 1 Strong Communities ...... 14
Priority 2 Connecting People ...... 16
Priority 3 Wellbeing ...... 18
Contact Us ...... 21
1 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
Foreword
Welcome to the Kincardine & Mearns Community Plan 2016-2019. This plan sets out three priority areas and associated actions identified through strategic assessment and engagement activities over an eighteen month period, which you can read about on the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership website, www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk. The Kincardine & Mearns Community Planning Group, made up of service providing agencies and community representatives, will continue to evaluate and develop these actions over the course of this period, making this very much a live document. Community Planning is about individuals, communities and organisations working together to achieve the best quality of life for everyone in the area. This plan is focused specifically to improve equal opportunities for all to be involved in community and decision making and to complement existing activity.
William Munro
Chair of the Kincardine & Mearns Community Planning Group
Kincardine & Mearns Area Manager, Aberdeenshire Council
2 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
Executive Summary
The Kincardine & Mearns Community Plan 2016 - 2019 brings together input and action from Community Planning Partners, Elected Councillors and local communities. It is a plan for the area, jointly developed and owned by all. Through engagement with these groups, three priority areas have been identified for the Plan. These priority areas are: Strong Communities Connecting People Wellbeing
3 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
This document describes the way in which partners came together to develop the priority areas and the actions within them. It also sets the local priorities against the Scottish National Outcomes.
Combining all contextual information enabled the Community Planning Group (CPG) to make an informed decision in setting the priority areas for the plan that reflect the needs of communities in Kincardine & Mearns.
Having identified the three priorities, each one was assigned a set of outcomes to achieve within the life of this Community Plan. Each priority area is set out to give an overview of the evidence of need used to identify the priority and guide the actions that were developed to achieve the outcomes. It also sets the actions developed for this Plan, aiming to avoid unnecessary duplication of activity. Further actions may be added to the priorities as the plan develops, and outcomes are developed.
By bringing all these priorities together in one place, it starts to become clearer where the links between aims and activities are found and as we work to progress and monitor actions, the links can be strengthened and preventative actions included where relevant.
Progress on actions will be updated at each CPG meeting. The Plan will be monitored fully on a six-monthly basis and an annual report will be produced highlighting achievements. An equalities impact assessment has also been carried out in line with Scottish legislation.
4 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
The Kincardine and Mearns Area
Kincardine & Mearns (K&M) is the most southern of six administrative areas within Aberdeenshire, as recognised by the local authority, Police Scotland and NHS Grampian. The area is 756 sq. km (293 sq. miles), representing 12% of the whole Aberdeenshire area and is defined by 59 km of coastline to the east and the foothills of the Grampian Mountains to the west. With an estimated population of 41,922 people, the residents of Kincardine & Mearns make up 17.1% of Aberdeenshire’s total estimated population (247,600). Kincardine & Mearns’ population continues to increase and has risen gradually over the past decade.
5 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
The demographics of the population have shifted over the past decade: • The total working age population has increased year on year since 2002. • The number of children (15 and under) is 2.1% lower than in 2002 but is currently rising. • The number of pensionable age individuals is 47.7% higher than in 2002 (an increase of approximately 2,241 individuals) and continues to increase. This rapidly changing demographic provides unique challenges in delivering services and additional housing and meeting demands on community facilities.
6 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
Kincardine & Mearns has one of the lowest proportions of benefit claimants across Aberdeenshire. These totals have been historically reducing and were at a 10 year low in 2014, although current economic trends have seen these totals starting to rise. Claims of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) had risen as a result of the 2008 recession but fell to pre-recession levels in 2014. The Aberdeenshire unemployment rate has been increasing since 2014 and was at 2.7% at the end of September 2015, and the average salary of workers in this area is typically higher than the Scottish and British averages. Average weekly pay has increased by approx. 40% between 2004 and 2014. Discrepancies in pay remain across the area with women paid, on average, c. £150 less per week than men.
National data suggests that children become less active as they get older. This is most evident in girls with less than 40% of girls meeting recommended activity levels at ages 13-15 when school activity is excluded (51% when included), compared to boys of the same age (68% meet targets including school, 54% excluding school) in Aberdeenshire. Obesity can increase disease prevalence and negatively affect health later in life. From a national perspective, the Scottish Health Survey indicates that the proportion of adults who are considered obese/morbidly obese (with a BMI of >30) has increased for both genders in almost all age groups between 1995 and 2013 in Aberdeenshire.
Access to transport keeps people connected to their communities and enables them to access healthcare and social activities. Considering the travel implications of community projects will be essential to enable older and vulnerable people, and those without their own transport, to participate. Additionally, enabling communities to pursue active travel as an alternative helps to address inactivity amongst all age groups, essentially, we want to encourage a shift from the car, particularly for short journeys, across communities. Not only will this reduce congestion and improve health by reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality, it will enable people in Scotland to live longer and healthier lives by making it easier to incorporate physical activity into daily routines.
7 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
What Our Engagement and Horizon Scanning Told Us
A series of Horizon Scanning exercises were carried out to determine what was important to local communities and identify current and potential pressures and opportunities for the area over coming years. These exercises were undertaken by a range of local partners and elected councillors who shared perspectives and knowledge with each other as to how existing and new phenomena might influence the future for Kincardine and Mearns communities.
8 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
The main issues and opportunities identified at this event are outlined below:
Political Ongoing changes in political environment, national and local Health & Social Care Integration
Environmental Increasing volumes of traffic, Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route Pressure on existing landfill sites; need to reduce waste and recycle Limited provision of active travel routes Tourism opportunities
Social Social isolation has increased and impacts as much on wellbeing as does any other factor Danger of furthering inequalities in the area where there is insufficient broadband/3G accessibility and in people who do not have digital skills – creating technological isolation. Greater levels of help needed to support those affected by the welfare changes Rise in the number of commuting communities. This creates potential barriers for developing social links and a sense of clear community identity amongst residents.
Technological Poor mobile phone and broadband connectivity Ongoing development of renewable technology Fibre optic connectivity
Economic Economic uncertainty with downturn in oil industry The Community Empowerment Act was highlighted as a potential threat if communities are not equipped with the appropriate organisational and financial skills to take on the running of properties/projects attained through Community Asset Transfers. Need for improved infrastructure and transport links to ensure Kincardine & Mearns maximises economic opportunities
9 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
Legal Community Empowerment Act Health & Social Care Integration Further devolution of power to Scottish Government
Organisational Changes in structure and management of public organisations e.g. Chief Executive Aberdeenshire Council, integration of health & social care, formation of national police and fire services Greater involvement of third sector organisations in the delivery of services highlighted as a currently missed opportunity
Following the Horizon Scanning work, community asset mapping was undertaken to engage with communities.
Working in partnership with Alliance Scotland, four “Come Awa In” conversation cafes were held in Kincardine & Mearns in April/May/June 2015. We explored the strengths, resources and anything valued within communities, with a focus on what keeps people well, connected and safe. By focusing on strengths and positives within our communities we were able to identify simple solutions focused on people, rather than thinking as organisations and focusing on complicated problems.
A further event “Ahead Together” then brought together the main regional and local partnerships in Aberdeenshire, and Kincardine and Mearns to look at who is doing what, where the common ground is and how actions in the Local Community Plan can complement and influence existing activity.
The outcomes generated by this event were added to the Strategic Assessment, Horizon Scanning and “Come Awa In” exercises to provide the LCPG with a wide, relevant and engaged evidence base from which to determine priorities and actions for the 2016 – 2019 LCP.
10 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
Image_text
How the Kincardine and Mearns Community Plan outcomes link into the Scottish Government’s National Outcomes
11 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
Priority Kincardine and Mearns Outcomes National Outcomes
Strong Communities are empowered We have strong, resilient and Communities and achieve better outcomes. supportive communities where Local communities and partners people take responsibility for their have greater awareness of the own actions and how they affect practises and principles of others community empowerment, and We live in a Scotland that is the have greater awareness of the most attractive place for doing implications of the community business in Europe empowerment legislation. We realise our full economic Local communities and partners potential with more and better have opportunity to feed into employment opportunities for our the Community Empowerment people Act legislation accompanying We have tackled the significant guidelines. inequalities in Scottish society Local communities and partners We have improved the life chances feel supported and informed of children, young people and enabling them to engage with families at risk and influence local democratic structures. Wellbeing Focus on inclusive community We live longer, healthier lives. spaces and opportunities. Our people are able to maintain Reduce inequalities in health their independence as they get outcomes between communities older and are able to access and across Kincardine & Mearns. appropriate support when needed Ensure community spaces are We have tackled the significant affordable, accessible, available inequalities in Scottish society and fit for purpose. We take pride in a strong, fair and Community spaces provide safe inclusive national identity places for people to come We are better educated, more together to meet and interact skilled and more successful, informally, and provide an renowned for our research and environment that helps to innovation increase community confidence. Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens. Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed. We have improved the life chances of children, young people and families at risk. Connecting Focus on active travel routes Schemes for an enhanced active People ensuring cycle and footpaths in travel network between and within Kincardine & Mearns are our key communities have been developed and improved. consulted on. Increase the proportion of journeys to work made by public or active transport.
12 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
Developing the Plan
Kincardine and Mearns Priorities 2016-19 The Local Community Planning Group agreed to focus on a limited number of priorities, selected in light of a number of criteria:
The evidence base showing where action was most needed and communities could be empowered to achieve those actions.
Issues which needed joint action and/or resourcing. The need for preventative action to limit future demand on services and limit duplication.
Shared mission to tackle inequalities, so everyone has full access to services.
Priorities arose where there was opportunity to build capacity and empower communities, and where outcomes were significant and sustainable.
13 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
Priority 1 - Strong Communities
The communities of Kincardine and Mearns are successful, achieving and inclusive with the confidence, capability and capacity to tackle the things that matter to them
14 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
To build a truly effective community it needs to be stronger, wiser and more resilient, sustainable and engaged. The Community Empowerment Act seeks to enable this to happen in Scotland’s communities. Where communities are empowered we would expect to see a range of benefits: local democratic participation is boosted; increased confidence and skills among local people; increased community capacity; and more satisfaction with quality of life in a local neighbourhood. Better community engagement and participation leads to delivery of better, more responsive services and better outcomes for communities. Further, our communities’ strengths and weaknesses, such as quality of life, amenities, infrastructure, and workforce skills, determine the potential of our local economy to support economic growth, enterprise and opportunities for all.
Key Outcomes
1. Communities are empowered and achieve better outcomes, sustainability and resilience.
2. Local communities and partners have greater awareness of the practises and principles of community empowerment, and have greater awareness of the implications of the community empowerment legislation.
3. Local communities and partners have opportunity to feed into the Community Empowerment Act legislation accompanying guidelines.
4. Local communities and partners feel supported and informed, enabling them to engage with and influence local democratic structures.
15 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
Priority 2 - Connecting People
16 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
Twenty-seven percent of children and 61% of adults in Scotland do not meet recommended levels of physical activity. Physical inactivity is known to increase the risk of developing a number of conditions including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and bowel cancer. Obesity levels in Scotland are increasing. In 2012, 27% of adults were obese and 16.8% of children were at risk of obesity (weight at or above 95th percentile). In Aberdeenshire obese/morbidly obese (with a BMI of >30) has increased for both genders in almost all age groups between 1995 and 2013. Walking and cycling for everyday short journeys is the easiest and cheapest way of building more physical activity into busy lives. It helps to protect against physical ill health and helps to maintain good mental health.
Evidence from engagement highlighted the importance within Kincardine & Mearns that communities have the possibility to travel actively, with walking or cycling the most popular choice for shorter everyday journeys. This helps people make healthy living choices and assists in delivering places that are happier, more inclusive and equal, and more prosperous. Travelling by foot or cycle, or with a personal mobility aid such as a mobility scooter, is a realistic option for all local journeys as individuals. People are confident to walk and cycle more often and they value and use their local transport networks (streets, roads and path networks), which offer safe, high quality, realistic and predictable journey options for active travel. Achieving this vision will help us to move towards the following objectives: Better health and safer travel for all; environments in which walking and cycling are easy choices will be safer for everyone, promote healthy living choices, treat and prevent disease and reduce health inequalities. Reducing inequalities; access to jobs, services and leisure will be widened for all – including children, older people, and people with disabilities and people on low incomes.
Cutting carbon emissions and other pollution; more people choosing to walk and cycle will reduce pollution from motorised travel and so help tackle climate change and improve air quality. Delivering liveable, more pleasant communities; places that are pleasant and practical for walking and cycling, with better pedestrian and cyclist safety will improve people’s lives in many ways, including feeling connected to the community. Communities where people value and use the active travel network, comprising streets, roads and path networks. Supporting delivery of sustainable economic growth; places that are designed for walking and cycling are generally more attractive. K&M’s communities will benefit from this, becoming more desirable places to live and work so helping attract investment and economic activity.
Key Outcome Focus on active travel routes, ensuring cycle and footpaths in Kincardine & Mearns are developed and improved.
17 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
Priority 3 - Wellbeing
18 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
Communities, both place-based and people sharing a common identity or affinity, have a vital contribution to make to health and wellbeing. Community life, social connections, supportive relationships and having a voice in local decisions are all factors that underpin good health, however, inequalities persist and too many people experience the effects of social exclusion or lack social support. Participatory approaches directly address the marginalisation and powerlessness caused by entrenched health inequalities.
The assets within communities, such as the skills and knowledge, social networks, local groups and community organisations, are building blocks for good health. Many people in Kincardine & Mearns already contribute to community life through volunteering, community leadership and activism. Community empowerment occurs when people work together to shape the decisions that influence their lives and health and begin to create a more equitable society. This is not about a DIY approach to health; there are important roles for NHS, local government and their partners in creating safe and supportive places, fostering resilience and enabling individuals and communities to take more control of their health and lives.
It is a Partnership aim to reduce the inequalities in health outcomes between communities and across Kincardine & Mearns. Encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing by making healthy choices and taking preventative action will reduce the demand on reactive services and allow resources to be invested in prevention and early intervention actions.
Engagement highlighted the need for inclusive, accessible community spaces, somewhere people could go to offering safe spaces for interaction between people from different backgrounds and provide information about local services and learning opportunities. Community spaces could be physical or virtual; all-inclusive or serving a particular section of the community.
Community spaces need to be affordable, accessible and available within the heart of local communities, fit for purpose. Community spaces are used to provide information and signposting, they provide opportunities for people to develop new skills, provide safe places for people to come together to meet and interact informally and they also provide an environment that helps increase the confidence of community members.
19 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
Key Outcomes
1. Focus on inclusive community spaces and opportunities.
2. Reduce inequalities in all outcomes within and across communities in Kincardine & Mearns.
3. Ensure community spaces are affordable, accessible and fit for purpose.
4. Community spaces provide safe places for people to come together and interact informally, providing an environment that helps to increase individual and community confidence.
20 Local Community Plan Kincardine and Mearns 2016-2019
Contact Us
Kincardine & Mearns Area Manager’s Office: Aberdeenshire Council Viewmount Arduthie Road Stonehaven AB39 2DQ Tel: 01569 768206
E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk/your-area/kincardine-and-mearns Blog: https://kandmcommunities.com/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/kandmcommunities
The K&M Community Planning Officers are: Emma Kidd E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01569 768327 Mobile: 07979 708132 Lesley Robertson E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01569 768327 Mobile: 07500 124479
Useful Websites: www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk www.scotland.police.uk www.firescotland.gov.uk www.nhsgrampian.org www.avashire.org.uk www.aberdeenshirecommunitysafety.org.uk Design: jonodesign.co.uk
21 Local Community Plan 2016-2019 Kincardine and Mearns
22