Fairer Scotland Fund Programmes and Projects Funded in the Previous Financial Year, and Update on the Projects Being Funded in 2011-12

ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL

COMMITTEE Policy and Performance

th DATE 9 June 2011

DIRECTOR Stewart Carruth

TITLE OF REPORT Fairerst Scotland Fundst - Progress Report (1 April 2010 – 31 March 2011)

REPORT NUMBER CG/11/051

1. PURPOSE OF REPORT

To provide Members with the draft annual report on progress with Fairer Scotland Fund programmes and projects funded in the previous financial year, and update on the Projects being funded in 2011-12.

2. RECOMMENDATION(S)

The Committee is asked to:

a. Consider and advise the Fairer Scotland Fund Board of the Committee’s comments on progress and the Annual Report.

b. Note the information at Appendix 1 outlining Fairer Scotland Fund Project activity for 2010-11.

c. Note the attachednd report on the Fairer Scotland Fund Community Summit, held on the 22 January 2011, and the main points arising.

d. Note the information at Appendix 3 detailing the funding decisions taken by the Fairer Scotland Fund Board in relation to Project funding for 2011-12.

3. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The Fairer Scotland Fund is a relatively new fund created by the Scottish Government, in December 2008, aimed at tackling poverty and deprivation. The first two years of the fund were ringfenced within the Council’s budget for the Community Planning partnership in order to support partners to work together to tackle area- based and individual poverty; and to help more people access and sustain employment opportunities.

In 2010/ 11 the Council agreed a sum of £2.375 m to continue to support the Aberdeen City Alliance’s Fairer Scotland Fund Board.

In relation to the 2011-12 budget, the Council considered the Fairer Scotland Fundth as part of its Priority Based Budgeting proposals, and the Council meeting of 15 December 2010 agreed that the allocation for 2011-12 should be reduced by £750,000 and that a Community Summit should be held to help the Council identify where savings could be made. The Council subsequently confirmed the Fairer Scotland Fund budget as £1.625 M for 2011-12, and subsequent years within the 5 year Business Plan.

The Council also agreed to continue the current governance arrangements through the Community Planning Partnership’s Fairer Scotland Fund Board, which allocates the Fund following an application process to support appropriate programmes and projects.

Projects funded by the Fairer Scotland Fund Board are required to meet specific terms and conditions and comply with State Aid regulations, where required, and with guidance to local authorities on “Following the Public Pound “ policy. Application for grant is through an open process to the Board.

4. OTHER IMPLICATIONS

Personnel

Through the thematic and neighbourhood programmes, currently being funded to support frontline services that are provided by the Council, Community, Voluntary and other public services sector partners, a combined total of 60 FTE staff are paid from the fund towards 120 projects.

The Fairer Scotland Fund provides funding for a Support Team currently comprising 1 FTE Programme Coordinator and 1 FTE Development Worker. This small team is responsible for fund allocation, reporting, evaluation of Fairer Scotland Fund programmes, projects and initiatives, partnership building, advising applicants, supporting the Regeneration Matters community representatives group, administering and managing the Fairer Scotland Fund on behalf of the Fairer Scotland Fund Board.

Sustainability and Environment

The Fairer Scotland Fund plays an important part in providing services that tackle poverty and contribute to improving sustainability by improving the environment and well being for the cities most disadvantaged communities and vulnerable individuals. The thematic programmes are addressing unemployment, providing financial inclusion services, improving health and literacies and enabling more sustainable and safer communities. Neighbourhood programmes are responding to locally identified issues.

Risk Management

Failure to continue to address the needs of Aberdeen’s most disadvantaged communities would have a detrimental effect for the individuals and communities involved and potentially increased costs in the long term for public services.

Supporting people into employment, maximizing people’s income, providing early intervention in relation to education and health is not only a better outcome for individuals but reduces the costs involved in responding to the effects of poverty in the long run.

5. BACKGROUND/MAIN ISSUES

5.1 The Fairer Scotland Fund Board comprises the Chair of The Aberdeen City Alliance, three Aberdeen City Councillors (Councillors Jennifer Stewart, Gordon Graham and Jim Noble), one representative from Aberdeen Council for Voluntary Organisations, one representative from NHS Grampian, one representative from Grampian Police, seven representatives from priority regeneration areas (appointed through the Regeneration Matters Group), and three representatives from the Aberdeen Civic Forum.

th 5.2 The Finance and Resources Committee of the 12 November 2009 agreed that half yearly updates should be provided for the Corporate Performance and Policy Committee on the outcomes achieved through the investment in Fairer Scotland Fund.

th 5.2 The Policy and Performance Committee of the 25 November 2010 considered the Fairer Scotland Fund 6 monthly Progress Report and congratulated the Fairer Scotland Fund Board on the successful allocation of extremely valuable financial support to programmes and projects aimed at tackling poverty and deprivation in the City . Appendix 1 provides detail on programmes and projects funded through Fairer Scotland Fund in 2010-11 for members’ consideration.

nd 5.3 The Community Summit was held on the 22 of January 2011, the full report is attached as Appendix 2. The main points raised were:

• The need to identify and avoid duplication, where it exists. • Review the current thematic and neighbourhood allocations and priorities, in line with the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2009. • Identify other sources of funding, where available. • Ensure transparency and representation in decision making processes.

5.4 The Fairer Scotland Fund Board has established a sub group and is in the process of taking forward a review of the overall programme. This will consider the points raised at the Community Summit, as well as reviewing individual projects and areas of work to identify possible duplication or areas where savings could be made. Projects reviews are being undertaken in the first 6 months of the year, with further review work to be completed by the end of the year.

th 5.5 The Fairer Scotland Fund Board met on the 12 of March 2011 to consider applications for funding for 2011-12. A total of £1,438,192 was awarded to 76 Projects; these are listed in Appendix 3. Some funding was awarded for 6 months initially, subject to review.

6. IMPACT

The Fairer Scotland Fund outcomes are reflected in the Single Outcome Agreement. Funding is being applied to support the following specific national outcomes:

• We realize our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people • Our Children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed • We live longer, healthier lives • We are better educated, more skilled and more successful, renowned for our research and innovation • Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens • We live our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger • We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others • We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society

The Fairer Scotland Fund contributes to a wide range of objectives contained within the Councils policy statement in relation to tackling disadvantage, regeneration and closing the gap between Aberdeen’s most disadvantaged communities and the rest of the City, and to the delivery of the Councils Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Fairer Scotland Fund investment also contributes to several of the Council’s Key Priorities within the Five Year Business Plan, including: • Provide for the needs of the most vulnerable people • Help to ensure that all schoolchildren reach their potential • Ensure efficient and effective delivery of services by the council and with its partners

7. BACKGROUND PAPERS

The information contained at Appendix 1 is based on the monitoring reports that funded projects are required to produce as part of the terms and conditions for Fairer Scotland Fund grant.

Appendixnd 2 contains the report of the Fairer Scotland Fund Community Summit held on 22 January 2012. Appendix 3 details the funding decisions made by the Fairer Scotland Fund Board at its meeting of 12 March 2012.

8. REPORT AUTHOR DETAILS

Dave Kilgour Strategist [email protected] 01224 523035

Susan Thoms Fairer Scotland Fund Programme Coordinator [email protected] 01224 523833

4 Appendix 1

Fairer Scotland Fund

Annual Report 2010-11

Fairer Scotland Fund Annual Report 2010-11

For further information please contact:

Susan Thoms Fairer Scotland Fund Coordinator Tel: 01224 523833 Email: [email protected]

Anne Knight Fairer Scotland Fund Development Officer Tel: 01224 523532 Email: [email protected]

Photographs from ‘Our Story’, a year long Citywide Arts project between the Regeneration Area, Arts Development 2 and Aberdeen International Youth Festival fairer Appendix 1

scotland

fund

Fairer Scotland Fund Annual Report 2010-2011

The Fairer Scotland Fund came into effect on the 1st April 2008, ring-fenced funding from the Scottish Government, and distributed through Community Planning Partnerships. Its purpose is to tackle poverty and deprivation. The Fund enables Community Planning Partnerships to 'tackle area based and individual poverty and to help more people access and sustain employment opportunities'.

In 2010/11 the Fairer Scotland Fund was un-ringfenced and allocated to the local authority through Grant Aided Expenditure. The Council agreed to continue current management arrangements, through the Fairer Scotland Fund Board, with additional reporting to the Corporate Policy and Performance Committee.

Fairer Scotland Fund Programme 2010-11

The allocation of Fairer Scotland Fund for 2010-11 was £2,375,000. In 10-11 the Fairer Scotland Fund (FSF) Board allocated funding to the following themes in line with National and local priorities.

Priority theme £ % of fund

Neighbourhoods 627,000 26% Employment & Training 595,000 25% Income & Financial Inclusion 338,000 14% Health 332,000 14% Community Safety 231,000 10% Literacy 106,000 5% Community Support Fund 66,000 3%

Support Team & Running Costs 80,000 3%

st st From 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 a total of £2,295,000 was awarded to 119 initiatives, supporting Projects in Regeneration Areas and work across the City with vulnerable groups and individuals. Grants ranged from £500 to £205,000 in value.

Across the whole FSF programme at least 228 people worked in full or part time posts directly funded by FSF, with the number of hours equating to 63 full time staff. Over 500 volunteers were involved in activities funded by FSF. Two thirds of the Fund was allocated to Voluntary and Community organisations.

Susan Thoms Anne Knight Fairer Scotland Fund Coordinator Fairer Scotland Fund Development Officer

Employment and Training

25% of the fund (£595,000) was allocated to this theme, in line with Scottish Government priorities. Applications were reviewed by Aberdeen Works, the Aberdeen City Alliance Employability Forum which focuses on the employability issues, skills gaps and development opportunities within Aberdeen, and their comments were taken into consideration by the Fairer Scotland Fund Board in making their decisions.

A range of organisations were funded to ensure people have access to the support and skills they need to return to work. This is based on a ‘pipeline’ approach, to map out a route, or journey, from an individual’s current circumstances to sustainable paid employment . This involves initial engagement, personal development activity, vocational training, and in employment support.

Funding was allocated to Pathways, Aberdeen City Council’s Community Training Unit, Grampian Racial Equality Council, North East Scotland Sensory Services (formerly Grampian Society for the Blind), Cyrenians, Station House Media Unit and Workers Educational Association (WEA).

Pathways supported 225 people into work, 168 into full time and 57 into part-time employment. They supported 2 people to maintain their current employment and 6 people started training to improve their employability. 514 people were caseloaded, receiving one to one support from a keyworker. This is well ahead of the annual target of 360, showing the need for this service and support within regeneration areas. Pathways continued to provide weekly drop in sessions in all regeneration areas, targeting areas with the highest unemployment rates to provide additional resources. They linked closely with the Community Animators, staff employed by ACVO and funded by Job Centre Plus, who are targeting regeneration areas to identify residents in need of support. The Fairer Scotland Funding received was used as match funding to secure additional funding from the Deprived Area Fund and Wider Role Fund. This funding was been used to employ an Employment Keyworker who specifically worked to support people aged over 50 to return to employment. Without the Fairer Scotland Fund this funding would not have been secured. Pathways also had a Jobcentre Plus Incapacity Benefit Advisor based in their office. The Advisor saw customers who would otherwise be required to attend the Jobcentre in the city centre. A review of the service has found that greater numbers of clients attended for their scheduled appointments, with better engagement with the Advisor, resulting in improved results, including more numbers supported into work than for similar caseloads for Jobcentre-based Incapacity Benefit Advisors.

North East Sensory Services Employment Service (previously known as Grampian Society for the Blind) supported people with a sight and hearing impairment through the employability pipeline as well as helping people retain employment. Over the year they worked with 40 clients, and targets were exceeded with 8 clients supported into employment and 4 clients into further education. They supported 16 clients who are/were in employment and who had either issues with eyesight deterioration and needed support to retain their employment, or who were looking to change careers. 3 series of workshops have been developed for young people still at school, to help them explore the post school transition and to engage with NESS services prior to leaving school.

Grampian Racial Equality Council successfully recruited a new employability worker who took up post in July. Over the year 7 clients have been supported to take up employment. 418 hours of individual 1 to 1 tutorial sessions took place, and GREC liaised with other Employability partners and had an active involvement in activities and developments.

The Aberdeen City Council Community Training Unit provided tailored work placements and helped to develop skills and confidence to move people towards employment, education or training. Over the year 53 clients have moved in to new jobs and 17 into work experience.

Shmu WORKS is a new initiative offering direct employability and skills development services for 18-25 year olds, using radio as a key tool for engagement. An Employability Support Worker has been in post for 6 months and the programme has been developed, planned and implemented. Partnership links have been made, and additional funding secured through the Big Lottery Recession Fund to employ a Radio Support worker. Progress is being made with local businesses and industry to identify workplace visits and work experience placements. Following a 4 week pilot course, the second course was extended to 6 weeks. So far 6 individuals have been supported into employment and 4 into training.

WEA Reaching Forward programme worked with learners who were far from the job market to provide progression routes that are realistic and sustainable. 61 non traditional adult learners engaged in activities designed to build confidence, motivation and core skills. These included CV and job skills sessions, confidence building workshops, literacy, team work, communications, computer skills, and Introduction to Retail training in conjunction with Aberdeen Foyer. * people moved into work, 6 into volunteering and 9 into education or training.

Cyrenians become an active part of the Employability pipeline, providing specialist support to increase employability options for clients. 7 clients moved into work placements and 2 into employment.

The LOAN (Linking Opportunity and Need) Team continued to support Aberdeen Works and ensure employability work was coordinated to provide a pipeline of services with no duplication. In order to prepare for Work Programme welfare benefits reforms, they organised providers from the public, private and voluntary/third sector into a supply chain to bid for Work Programme contracts. They also prepared for the Incapacity Benefit Migration Trial, which was piloted in Aberdeen, and will mean increased activity for service providers. To assist claimants who had more complex needs and required more intensive support, a 6 month programme was put in place which included

Job Parents (intensive support)st and Employment Options course. This programme started at the end of January and by 31 March 49 people had received support and 3 had gained employment, a good example of Aberdeen Works partners working together flexibly to respond to a developing situation. The LOAN Team also liaised with the Alcohol and Drug Partnership, homelessness services, mental health services, the NHS, and criminal justice services to bring additional expertise to the City pipeline.

Funding was also allocated to More Choices More Chances (MCMC) initiatives, to support young people into employment or training. From this allocation funding went to Aberdeen Foyer, the Princes Trust, WEA, the Community Training Unit, Transition Sports and Station House Media Unit. shmuTRAIN was delivered by Station House Media Unit, and supports 14-19 year olds who are in, or likely to fall into, the More Choices More Chances category. It is a skills development programme, using community and digital media (radio, video, sound engineering and digital design) as a meaningful and stimulating medium to increase the chances of young people moving into employment, education or training. Over the course of the year SHMU has worked with a total of 78 young people with 52 attending a taster week and securing employability support, 32 young

people were supported on the intensive 12 week courses with 14 young people gaining employment, 12 young people gaining college placements and 1 person gaining further training. An award ceremony was held at the Town House where young people were presented with Bronze Youth Achievement Awards and Millennium Volunteer Awards.

The Aberdeen Foyer Team Programme encouraged and supported young people aged 16-25 to take part in their own learning, and provided opportunities for work experience placements. 3 programmes took place involving 39 young people, 26 of whom progressed onto employment, training, education or volunteering.

Toolkit for Progress was delivered by the ACC Community Training Unit, to provide tailored work experience placements for young people. During the year 234 work placements were provided.

The Princes Trust xl Club was delivered through Northfield and Torry Academies. To date 39 participants aged 14-16 have been involved in the programme which focuses on developing key employability skills, communication, team working and problem solving. They also promote respect and citizenship, improve literacy and numeracy skills, and support young people at risk of truanting and school exclusion.

The Alternative Academy was delivered by Transition Extreme, the Project works with young people who have disengaged from formal education to develop competence and expertise in one main street or adventure sport and some secondary sports as well as working on life, health and enterprise skills. Two 12 week programmes took place, with a total of 26 young people enrolled. Of these, 8 people moved into training, education or employment and 13 left with a recognised qualification

Dynamic Youth is delivered by WEA, who ran three 12 week courses for a total of 14 learners covering communication skills, CV writing, independent living skills, job skills, citizenship and team working. Learners have moved on to college, volunteering work, paid work and other WEA courses.

Employment and Training performance summary

Baseline Target Achieved Performance indicator Progress 09-10 10-11 10-11 Number of people into work n/a 365 428 Access centres in Regeneration areas 9 9 14 offering weekly drop ins Number of clients registered with 263 360 565 Pathways Number of clients registered with 141 250 236 Pathways achieving positive outcomes People supported into work by Pathways 98 250 225 Number of young people involved in 337 309 431 MCMC activities

Income and Financial Inclusion

14% of the fund (£338,000) was allocated to this theme.

There were three main strands of activity: • Improving access to affordable financial services and products • Delivery of financial education initiatives • Co-ordinated provision of quality advice and information services

Access to affordable financial services and products

St Machar Credit Union and North East Scotland Credit Union , ensured access to saving schemes and affordable loans across all the regeneration areas. Significant effort was made to engage with communities at a local level, with leafleting and door knocking helped to increase membership, and attendance at community events and Cash In Your Pocket days increased awareness within neighbourhoods.

Financial education WEA continued to embed financial learning in their Reach Out, Reaching Forward, Dynamics and Break Out programmes. Additional IT classes were run due to demand, and on the employability side of the project, learners were supported to work out the financial implications of undertaking further education or taking up employment. They worked on raising awareness of the Incapacity Benefit migration and benefit changes, so that learners would be prepared for the information they received, and would be able to access individual support. Staff undertook training to ensure they would be able to deal with anticipated problems.

Co-ordinated advice and information services Cash In Your Pocket acted as a central hub for the operation of its financial inclusion partners, taking referrals from people working in the community on behalf of the excluded, and passing them onto the organisations that could most assist them. During the reporting period there were 1838 referrals, which is above the target figure. It also co-ordinated meetings and provision regarding financial inclusion throughout Aberdeen City, acting as a forum for debate of common activity, and ensuring duplication and gaps in provision were kept to a minimum.

Over the reporting period 3 successful community events have been held, attended by around 450 people. Awareness raising took place at NHS sites, and the service was further promoted by improving the web site, attending community events across the City, and distributing 400 copies of the revamped ‘Skint’ DVD. Total financial gain to date is £731,843 which equates to £7 for every £1 FSF invested.

Training is becoming a key activity, with a variety of training provided, including Financial Awareness for community workers. Training was also delivered to front line workers on the Incapacity Benefit migration pilot, and information and advice provided.

Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau delivered a community outreach money advice service, through a combination of home visits and community appointments with outreach surgeries. In the reporting period CAB have given money advice to 444 people and income maximisation advice to

424 people, and have recorded a total client financial gain of £1,200,000 which equates to £12 for every £1 FSF invested.

Grampian Housing Association Income Advice was used by all the main Registered Social Landlords, and received referrals through the Welfare Rights Team, mainly to provide a home visiting service to complete Disability Living Allowance applications. In the reporting period they gave 200 people benefit entitlement advice and information, carried out 296 home visits and generated £363,027 in financial gains for clients, which equates to £12 for every £1 FSF invested.

Aberdeen Care and Repair received funding for a Funding Assistant to provide advice and assistance to older people, people with disabilities and long-term health problems, within Aberdeen City. Assistance was given with property repairs, improvements, adaptations and obtaining affordable warmth. Over the reporting period they exceeded targets, with 224 people receiving assistance on maximising income or charitable funding, and 724 people assisted with repairs, improvements and adaptations to their home. £136,518 of charitable funding was secured for 142 households in regeneration areas.

Clients were referred from other Cash in Your Pocket partners, as well as Social Work and Health services, where there is no other assistance available for this type of need. The complexity of cases and needs have been more intense than originally anticipated.

Financial inclusion performance summary

Baseline Target Achieved Performance indicator Progress 09-10 10-11 10-11 Number of adult credit union savers 2086 2656 3188

Number of junior credit union savers 1022 1186 1251

Total savings deposited £936,600 £1,291,600 £1,338,689

Number of credit union collection points 21 25 25 Number of new clients receiving money advice from n/a 450 444 Citizens Advice Bureau Number of people receiving income maximisation advice 140 660 848 Number of households receiving assistance for n/a 60 224 maximising income/charitable funding from Care & Repair Total client financial gain £2,118,815 £2,400,000 £2,524,687

Number of home visits/community appointments 2154 2240 2390

Number of referrals to the Cash In Your Pocket database 1026 1500 1838

Health

14% of the fund (£332,000) was allocated to this theme, and applications were considered by the Public Health Forum, a subgroup of the Community Health Partnership, for comment before being submitted to the FSF Board.

The Health theme focuses on three key areas: • Reducing health inequalities • Mental health and wellbeing • Substance misuse

Reducing health inequalities Give Kids A Chance provided opportunities for vulnerable young people to develop and sustain interests or hobbies that encourage healthy lifestyle choices. They provided a varied programme of activities in Aberdeen City for up to 100 young people, and funding helps support work in the priority areas of Aberdeen. Activities that the Fairer Scotland fund is directly supporting include: Sooyang Do, Multi Sport Club, Music, Cooking, Football, Trampoline and Swimming, and 135 young people have taken part in activities so far this year.

Community Food Initiatives NE received funding to improve access to healthy food. Over the year the number of Community Food Outlets in Aberdeen increased from 61 to 67, and Fast Fruit outlets to 127. They have 70 volunteers, 16 at the warehouse and 54 assisting with projects in the community. They have exceeded targets for sales and distribution of produce. The Fareshare initiative, which distributes excess food donated by supermarkets and manufacturers, gave over 70 tonnes of produce to 82 recipient organisations in the city.

Mental health and wellbeing A range of mental health and wellbeing initiatives significantly enhance the capacity to meet the needs of those experiencing mental health issues, across all communities and client groups. Counselling services for adults were provided through Pathways to Wellbeing and Mental Health Aberdeen, covering all the regeneration areas. Mental Health Aberdeen was funded to provide a Children and Young People’s counselling service, and also provide a service in Primary schools in Torry.

Aberdeen Counselling and Information Service (ACIS) Youth Counselling & Information Service continued to offer a counselling and information service for young people aged between 12 and 18. Over the year 94 clients have accessed the service. In order to attract more volunteer counsellors they also devised a tailor made counselling training programme.

The Calsayseat Surgery Counselling Project had two part-time counsellors and managed to reduce the previously static waiting list to a more manageable waiting time of between 2-4 weeks. Over the year 156 clients received 941 counselling sessions.

The Torry Counselling Project , also run by Mental Health Aberdeen, continued to provide counselling for adults at the Torry Neighbourhood Centre, and counselling for children through the schools. Over the year 573 sessions have been delivered to primary school and Academy pupils, and adult clients have received 705 sessions.

Pathways to Wellbeing provides 1-2-1 counselling, based in community settings in regeneration areas. Over the year 133 clients accessed the service, aged from 16 to over 65. Additional funding secured through the Health Improvement Fund enabled the employment of a Counselling

Development Officer to raise awareness of the service with external agencies which would not otherwise have been possible. Links were been made with the Arrest Referral Officers, which resulted in a large number of referrals to the service for people who require support, are at risk of offending, but have not previously had access to support needed. Further links have been strengthened with local GP surgeries, resulting in increased referrals.

Strengths in Families was run by the Aberlour Childcare Trust and was a pilot project offering targeted intensive intervention to three families to empower parents with learning difficulties and their children to develop their full potential, be safe and have the opportunities to reach educational and health goals. The service for each family involved an initial assessment using the “Parent Assessment Manual”, which helped to identify which areas of family life the parents need the most help in and informs a care plan to be agreed with the worker, the family and any other professionals involved. This work has now been incorporated into their mainstream provision.

Substance misuse Drugs Action Community Outreach project was operational in Tillydrone, Woodside and Torry, and continued to provide advice and information, one to one support and counselling for drug users and family members, education and training to schools, professionals, local agencies and community groups as required and joint work with local professionals, agencies and community groups as appropriate. Over the year a total of 364 young people and 128 adults received awareness, knowledge and understanding training around drug issues, training has been provided for 214 professional workers, and 56 people received one to one counselling.

Three Lifeshaper 12 week programmes have taken place at Aberdeen Foyer, with 46 clients participating and 14 completing. All those completing the course have gone on to positive destinations, employment, further training or education. The first course had a higher than expected proportion of early leavers, this has been addressed with more emphasis on the assessment of readiness of applicants to engage in the programme. Some clients have previously done little academic work or have been out of education for a significant period, so they are introducing “Outside In” Learning Power Award modules (City & Guilds Accredited) as these will be more achievable for some clients and will also provide a deeper understanding of the whole programme. Retention rates have improved since the first programme, 3 of the early leavers left for a positive destinations – 1 moved into f/t education and 2 have moved into other foyer programmes. 7 people throughout the year have achieved REHIS food hygiene certificates with a view to sourcing employment within the hospitality sector.

Health performance summary

Baseline Target Achieved Performance indicator Progress 09-10 10-11 10-11 % of new referrals registered with Give 31% 35% 40% Kids a Chance Number of new referrals to Give Kids a 52 50 54 Chance Sales at Community Food Outlets £67,507 £80,000 £80,000 Tonnes of Fareshare produce distributed 65 70 71.5 by CFINE Number of organisations benefiting from 76 80 82 Fareshare Number of adult clients using mental 224 285 415 health counselling provision Number of clients under 16 using mental 115 145 219 health counselling provision Number of people receiving drug 110 150 150 awareness training Number of people participating in 23 25 46 Lifeshaper programmes

Community Safety

10% of the fund (£231,000) was allocated to this theme, and applications were considered by the Community Safety Partnership, for comment before being submitted to the FSF Board.

Funding supported anti social behaviour work across the City, as well as addressing the fear of crime for older people, youth diversionary activities, drug related crime, and Grampian Police Body Worn Video Cameras pilot scheme.

Grampian Police’s Operation Berlin and Operation Maple tackled two of the Force priorities: Controlled Drugs and Violence, in particular Robberies. The objective of the programme was to systematically disrupt the supply of controlled drugs and prevent, investigate and detect incidents of Robberies. Initially funding was awarded to cover the City Centre and Torry, additional funding was allocated to cover all the regeneration areas. Over the reporting period a total of 2572 additional hours have been dedicated to addressing the issues of controlled drugs and violence in all the regeneration areas of Aberdeen.

Grampian Police’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit received funding to employ an Early Intervention Worker and Anti-Social Behaviour Sergeant to tackle vandalism, noise nuisance, gatherings of youths, underage drinking, drug misuse, misuse of motor vehicles, rowdy behaviour and littering are just some examples of quality of life issues that adversely affect various neighbourhoods on a daily basis and ultimately the reputation of the City as a whole. Over the year 95 youths have been involved in targeted ASB group work across the city. Within targeted areas the number of motorcycle incidents reported has decreased from 499 to 328, and the number of underage drinking incidents reduced from 131 to 110.

Grampian Police’s Operation Begonia provided extra Police patrols to assist in the process of engaging with street prostitutes on a regular basis with a more holistic plan aimed at balancing enforcement with a victim based approach. This project started in July and so far 70 women have been encountered with almost all agreeing to fill out a detailed questionnaire and for their personal details to be forward to the Criminal Justice Social Work Department for subsequent follow up assistance. To date 38 of the women engaged with the service have not been seen again in the targeted area and 12 are working with services to reduce their attendance in the area. 1128 hours of dedicated patrols have been carried out to date.

Grampian Police’s Operation Bohlin provided extra patrols in the areas surrounding Bon Accord Street, Crown Street and Dee Street. 362 hours of additional high visibility foot patrols were carried out by Police and Special Constables. During the annual period the increased presence has been positively commented upon by the local residents and business owners alike.

Grampian Police’s Operation Streetbase has been running since March this year and focuses on addressing underage drinking. The work is currently being carried out in the Torry area and funding has also been used to provide a Youth Shelter in the area. So far 74 youths have been spoken to during patrols and a large amount of alcohol has been seized. 12 youths have been conveyed to their homes and their parents given referral information for them to seek further help for underage drink prevention.

Body Worn Video Cameras have been purchased and put into use by Grampian Police. A pilot was funded by FSF last year, and additional funding was allocated in 10-11 for an additional 18 cameras. Officers have used the BWV during various Operations, in an attempt to address Anti Social Behaviour issues within local communities. The BWV have had a positive impact and also brought positive comment from various members of the public.

Provision of Protective Equipment - Grampian Police Domestic Abuse Grampian police were able to purchase a significant amount of basic personal protective equipment for issue to victims and children affected by domestic abuse. Funding has allowed officers to provide an enhanced safety planning service through recourse to a much wider range of protective items. 700 young people and adults have been provided with personal alarms and 1800 security items have been provided for home security.

The Bridges Project was funded to continue its work of running courses for learners in prison and strive to keep these connections active and positive after release. Previous work in the Bridges Project has resulted in 3 clients getting into employment, 6 in voluntary employment, 6 community videos being edited, one forest school being developed. The project currently works with 13 clients.

Street Alternatives is run by The Cyrenians, and is a complimentary project working alongside other volunteer services for homeless people in the city and operated through the use of volunteers. They provide sessions which take place 4 days per week with an average of 15 - 20 participants and are working with 28 clients currently. The sessions consist of teaching basic literacy and numeracy skills. To date there have been 3 referrals to employability services.

Free to Succeed is a trial project led by Torry Trust working with the prison management team to develop work with female offenders in the Community integration Unit (CIU). This gives offenders the opportunity to undertake meaningful voluntary work both in the CIU and at their premises in the community. The project links with other agencies that provide services to offenders in the development and implementation of a fully integrated resettlement service for prisoners held at HMP Craiginches.

Older & Wiser is an educational event to inform older people about health and safety in a fun and entertaining way. Each show illustrates everyday situations where older people are put at risk and contains a careful balance of the possible consequences and the right way of dealing with the risks portrayed. After the event each attendee received a pack which contained practical safety items for the home, and safety information leaflets. To date there has been 3 events and 290 people have attended. 97% of attendee felt safer after the event.

Community Communications followed on from a pilot which linked with the Community Service Order Task Team. Participants engage in creative design and print initiatives to produce learning materials for Literacy Work.

The Street Sport project provides a youth diversionary project, using portable pitches for football, basketball and rugby, taking sport to young people in their own communities with the aim of reducing antisocial behaviour, youth crime and annoyance calls to the police. Over the year 3457 young people have attended.

SACRO received funding to work in Tillydrone, aiming to have a positive impact on community safety and provide a model for engaging with a group of young, persistent offenders. A one to one key worker made progress in engaging with the target group and supported them to engage with community services to meet their support needs. There were 5 individuals actively involved with the service, 3 remanded in custody but engaged with the service, and 4 service users’ families received support.

Community Safety performance summary

Baseline Target Achieved Performance indicator Progress 09-10 10-11 10-11 Number of motorcycle incidents reported 499 449 328 (in identified areas) Number of underage drinking incidents 131 118 110 (in identified areas) Number of hours of patrols engaging with on street sex 0 416 1128 workers Number of on street sex workers referred to other 0 50 65 agencies with a view to exiting the lifestyle Additional patrol hours in the area covered by Operation 0 384 452 Bohlin Number of female offenders finding voluntary or paid n/a 2 4 employment, further education or training Number of older people attending Older and Wiser events 200 200 290

Number of young people attending Street Sport 2500 3000 3457

Literacy

5% of the fund (£106,000) supported a programme of literacy work. This includes joint working between the Healthwise project and NHS Grampian, providing literacies and ICT work in the Blair Unit, Royal Cornhill Hospital, supporting the Reading Bus, a Family Learning PEER Group Project, work with single fathers and young people, and adding value to current literacies provision to support FSF initiatives.

The Family Learning PEER Group supported the delivery of an extension to family learning provision in the City through volunteering. The project is known as the Parental Engagement towards Education and Recruitment (PEER). 17 volunteers were involved over the year, with 3 moving into employment and 14 accessing other community based courses.

Healthwise aimed to deliver learning on health matters in conjunction with improving literacies skills and to offer previously disengaged adults the opportunity to improve their literacy and health skills by better understanding of the written health information they receive as part of their health provision. This enables individuals to make more informed decisions about their health and lifestyle in order to improve their own health and that of their families. Over the year 65 people accessed courses, and 2 literacies awareness sessions for NHS staff were delivered.

The Healthy Minds Project was delivered in the Blair Unit, a secure facility in Cornhill Hospital. Over the year 39 participants were involved in a range of learning opportunities including literacy, numeracy, photography and cooking. The Healthy Minds Team were nominated and won a Scottish Adult Learning Partnership Good Practice Award in September, for their work including the activities undertaken with funding from FSF.

Dad's Work supported fathers to take a more active role in parenting and educating their children, and 8-15 men regularly attend sessions which include group work, cooking skills, and educational and healthy activities which they would not otherwise have access to.

The Reading Bus delivered 20 family literacy events, involving 540 families.

WEA - Alternative Literacies provided courses over the year with an emphasis on outdoor and environmental learning designed to attract and engage students who may not be keen to take up other educational opportunities, particularly males in the 25-60 age group. Over the year 62 people took part in courses, several moved on to employability focused courses or voluntary work, 4 moved into employment and others took up volunteering opportunities.

Powis Gateway Community Centre – Numeracy and Literacy Project. The centre houses a Learning Hub which caters for 15 children from P.2 – P.7 from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Although 35 children applied for places at the project it can only cater for 15 who are involved with Homework Club and sessions to enhance their reading ability as well as life skills, self confidence and self esteem.

Community Learning and Development Funding was also allocated to provide additional literacy and numeracy provision across the City. Over the year a total of 287 people took part in groups and courses in Tillydrone, Woodside, Seaton, Rosemount, Cornhill, Cummings Park, Northfield, Mastrick, Bucksburn and Torry.

A variety of methods were used to engage people in literacy activities which have included working on ICT skills, creative writing, cookery, first aid courses etc. A total of 1,730 tutor hours have been funded through the Fairer Scotland Fund

Participants in the Additionality for Adult programme have produced a Torry Tourist guide and some have enrolled for ECDL courses at Aberdeen College. Feedback from learners has been very positive and comments on the courses include: “enjoyable and challenging”, helpful and good fun” and “Didn’t think I’d learn so much”.

Learners in the Central Literacy project have been working in a number of areas, for example in the Tillydrone area they have sessions on CV writing, job search, critical analysis and numeracy needs. Feedback from learners stated, “I have more confidence in myself to do paper work in my job” and “I will be able to help my kids with maths before they reach school”.

The Step Into Learning project organised drop in sessions and recruited additional tutors to engage new learners and run classes in Northfield, Cummings Park and Mastrick. A summer school was provided for those wishing to undertake a more structured learning activity which would prepare them for accredited learning.

Literacy performance summary

Baseline Target Achieved Performance indicator Progress 09-10 10-11 10-11 Family Learning PEER Group volunteers 10 15 17

Healthwise participants 87 65 65

Healthy Minds Project participants 25 40 39

WEA Alternative Literacies participants n/a 60 62

Additional literacy and numeracy learners 200 277 279

Neighbourhood programme

26% of the fund (£627,000) was allocated to neighbourhoods, according to the population living within the 0-15% most deprived data zones. This funding supported local projects and initiatives to address the priority areas of Strengthening Communities, Neighbourhood Planning and Quality of Life. Many of these initiatives provide volunteering opportunities and provide accessible services and support to the most vulnerable people in Regeneration areas.

Applications are reviewed by the relevant Neighbourhood Network group and their comments are taken into account by the Fairer Scotland Fund in making their decisions.

Community Flats and Projects were supported in Cummings Park, Printfield, Seaton and Tillydrone. These provide accessible venues for activities, advice and information, and allow a range of agencies to deliver services within the local area. They are also instrumental in delivering the thematic aspects of the programme, being used by, for example, Pathways, to deliver elements of the employability programme.

Funding also supported Arts Development to deliver additional projects, including ‘Our Story’ , which provided an innovative year long multi-arts project including participation in the International Youth Festival Parade and culminating in a high profile exhibition in the Art Gallery. The final ‘Our Story Exhibition’ showcases the wealth of skills, talent and enthusiasm from the participants in each regeneration neighbourhood. ‘Our Story’ united communities from across the city and highlighted people’s personal progress through their involvement in arts and regeneration projects, to include past, present and future aspirations. Over the year 1175 people have been involved in Arts activities and 1223 additional tutor hours delivered.

Station House Media Unit supported community radio, the publication of community newsletters, and a variety of media training and resources. Newsletters were produced in regeneration areas, and weekly community radio shows continued. Over the year 909 people were involved and 16,098 volunteer hours undertaken.

Family support and activities were provided through Aberlour Childcare Trust, Fersands Family Support, Homestart, Early Years Family Learning and Stockethill Family Fun.

Silver City Surfers provided outreach sessions in Torry, Seaton, and the city centre, where volunteers delivered 184 sessions for older people to learn IT skills, including using email and internet. Over the reporting period 1338 people have attended sessions.

M26 The Road to Recovery was a new Project that was initiated by local people in Tillydrone to support men aged over 26 who wanted a drop in facility in the area and additional support for rehabilitating drug and alcohol users. The group has grown to 15 members who were involved in life skills activities to improve their Health and Wellbeing . 4 of the group are now attending classes outwith the project, with a further 2 about to access Adult Learning classes. As the group has grown in size they have needed to secure larger premises to meet and have secured the lease of a local shop to use. A community ranger helped to develop the community garden, and the group

made a video of the work in progress with the help of SHMU. They also made their own sign for the shop unit with the help from Arts Development, and had a health awareness day learning healthy eating and cooking skills. The group made Christmas lunch for12 pensioners from Tillydrone, which was a great success in helping to address stigma. Funding has also been used to introduce complimentary therapies providing sessions of reflexology, Reiki and Indian Head Massage.

A variety of Youth Work and activities for young people was supported, under 12s work and the Youth Flat in Middlefield, youth work in Fersands, Tillydrone, Stockethill and Torry, Feeling Great events, a youth drumming band, community sports and activities, Music 4U, teenage pregnancy peer support, alcohol early intervention, and a Family Liaison Officer in Torry. Aberdeen International Youth Festival provided 18 performances across the 6 funded areas, delivered by groups taking part in the AIYF, including Hip Hop, traditional music, classical music, dance, drama and physical theatre, featuring artists from Scotland, South Africa, Canada, France, Belarus and Senegal. They also distributed free tickets to regeneration areas and supported the involvement of the Arts Development ‘Our Story’ visual arts project in the festival parade on Tartan Day. 231 young people were involved with the workshops and 531 people attended their performances in local areas.

Neighbourhood performance summary

Baseline Target Achieved Performance indicator Progress 09-10 10-11 10-11 Number of people active in Arts activities 3500 1086 1175 Number of young people involved in 115 152 411 Media Activities at SHMU Number of hours undertaken by 11,000 12,000 16,098 volunteers at SHMU Number of individuals supported through 500 600 909 SHMU Number of families supported by 15 20 26 Homestart Number of people involved in Silver City 350 560 1338 Surfers activities Number of participants attending activities 90 150 175 at Cummings Park Flat Number of attendances at learning 475 660 699 activities in Tillydrone Community Flat Number of young people attending 160 160 160 Middlefield Youth Flat Number of referrals to Outreach Counselling Service delivered through 25 40 64 Alcohol Support Number of visits by children to Manor Park 15,400 16,000 16,300 Healthy Roots Project Number of young people involved in Active Sports in Seaton, Tillydrone, Torry 548 645 1287 and Stockethill

Regeneration Matters

Regeneration Matters is a forum of representatives from all the regeneration areas, and are active in addressing issues around poverty and deprivation. The group elected 7 members to act as community representatives on the Fairer Scotland Fund Board. The Group have been meeting monthly since November 2006 and have a membership of approximately 30. In June of last year the group visited the Merkinch Centre in Inverness to have a information sharing day with community members based there. The group attended a residential weekend in April 2011 working on their constitution which will be adopted at their first Annual General Meeting which will take place June 2011.

Community Support Fund (CSF)

This funding (£70,000) is managed by Regeneration Matters on behalf of the FSF Board, and supports community involvement in regeneration issues, training, support to attend meetings, events and conferences, communications and capacity building.

Some of the activities funded from April 2010 – March 2011 were:

• Printing and distribution costs for community newsletters in Cummings Park/Northfield, Middlefield, Seaton, Tillydrone, Torry and Woodside. Mastrick has now produced its first community newsletter (3 copies of the newsletter are produced for each area annually). Extra funding was awarded to Woodside to allow them to increase their distribution to the wider Woodside area. • Continued investment in Station House Media Unit’s “News Desk” which gathers up-to- date information to enhance community radio show broadcasts • Grandparents as Parents (GAP) received funding to promote their service and inform the public about their change of location • Grampian Racial Equality Council held “Aggravation by Prejudice Workshops which were funded through the CSF • Tillydrone Vision – funding towards an open day at Tillydrone to promote what goes on in the area and as a fund raiser for local people’s forthcoming trip to Uganda • Members from Printfield Project’s Management Committee attended a “Physical Regeneration in Hard Times” Conference • Multi Neighbourhood Focus Day hosted by St Machar Parent Support to look at future funding prospects • Anti Social Behaviour Unit purchased resources which can be used in each of the regeneration areas for training purposes • Funding was awarded to a group of 20 people in Torry who undertook a training weekend to establish a Torry Arts Forum and produce an “Arts Programme” for the group • Members from the Middlefield Project Management Committee were funded to undertake 3 days of training covering Business for Management for their Management Committee • Tullos Playscheme volunteers took part in training and produced a Planning Programme for future holiday playschemes. • Cornhill Community Centre received funding towards a 2-day Community event to highlight to local people amenities and resources in their area. • Seaton Parents Group and Art & History group received funding to undertake identified training needs • Disabled Person Housing Service Ltd were awarded funding to assist in the training and recruitment of volunteers

Funded initiatives 2010-2011

Project Organisation Annual budget Employment and Training Aberdeen Working Together ACC, Community Training Unit 25,000 GREC Employability Project Grampian Racial Equality Council 22,500 GSB Employment Service Grampian Society for the Blind 26,085 Pathways Pathways 206,500 ShmuFM Works Programme Station House Media Unit 30,000 WEA - Reaching Forward WEA 45,000 Cyrenians Resettlement Worker Cyrenians 8,000 Dynamic Youth WEA 7,815 Toolkit for Progress ACC, Community Training Unit 26,600 Princes Trust Team Programme Aberdeen Foyer 20,000 Alternative Academy Transition Extreme 37,500 SHMU Train Initiative Station House Media Unit 40,000 XL Programme Princes Trust 10,000 LOAN Team ACC 165,500 Income and Financial Inclusion CAB Money Advice Outreach Project Citizens Advice Bureau 120,000 Cash In Your Pocket Partnership (CIYPP) Team Grampian Housing 100,000 GHA Money Adviser Grampian Housing 30,000 NESCU Credit Union Access Project North East of Scotland Credit Union 51,000 St Machar Credit Union St Machar Credit Union 34,000 WEA Count Us In WEA 10,000 Care and Repair Funding Officer Castlehill Housing Association 22,934 Health ACIS Youth Counselling Mental Health Aberdeen 45,915 Calsayseat Counselling Mental Health Aberdeen 35,690 FARE (Food Access Regeneration) CFINE 25,000 Give Kids A Chance Give Kids A Chance - Aberdeen 10,000 Lifeshaper Aberdeen Foyer 30,000 Outreach Drugs Worker Tillydrone Drugs Action 18,360 Outreach Drugs Worker Torry Drugs Action 18,360 Outreach Drugs Worker Woodside Drugs Action 18,360 Pathways to Wellbeing Pathways 60,696 Strengths in Family Project Aberlour Childcare Trust 11,987 Torry Adult Counselling & Torry Talk Mental Health Aberdeen 40,800 Literacy Active & Healthy Minds Project ACC, Mental Health 4,120 Additionality for Adult Literacies Tutoring ACC, Torry Learning House 12,298 Central Team Literacy Project ACC, CLD 20,672 Dad's Work ACC, Social Work 6,050 Healthwise Aberdeen ACC, CLD 12,026 PEER group ACC, Family Learning 14,023 Reading Bus ACC, Education 4,000

WEA - Alternative Literacies WEA 10,000 Powis Literacy and Numeracy Powis Gateway Community Centre 8,120 Step Up To Learning ACC, CLD 15,000 Community Safety Anti-Social Behaviour: Grampian Police Grampian Police 52,000 Community Communications ACC, Adult Learning & Social Work 5,400 Free To Succeed – Closing the Gaps Torry Trust 15,000 Older & Wiser Aberdeen Safer Community Trust 10,210 Street Alternatives The Cyrenians 15,819 Street Sport Street Sport 10,000 Engaging with Street Prostitutes Grampian Police 23,296 Operation Berlin Grampian Police 35,000 Body Worn Video Cameras Grampian Police 9,260 Conflict Resolution Workshops SACRO 4,380 Persistent Offenders SACRO 19,575 Anti Social Behaviour Crown Street area Grampian Police 8,736 Neighbourhood Arts and Participation for Regeneration ACC 47,773 Community Media Station House Media Unit 82,498 Feeling Great Initiative Aberdeen Lads Club 2,000 Home-Start Homestart Aberdeen 16,298 Silver City Surfers Silver City Surfers 8,798 Youth Festival Workshops Aberdeen International Youth Festival 5,118 Cummings Park Community Flat ACC 30,000 If All The World’s A Stage? MUSIC 4 U 10,330 Northfield Community Boxing ACC 4,110 Pottery classes ACC 2,827 Sense Art Project ACC CL&D 6,050 Healthy Roots Healthy Roots 4,000 Middlefield Youth Flat Middlefield Community Project 51,034 Supporting Volunteers and Under 12’s work Middlefield Community Project 22,343 Seaton Community Sports ACC Active Schools 3,000 Seaton Support for Rehab/Recovery Seaton Community Project 19,274 Seaton Yoga Group Seaton Community Project 919 STAR Community Flat Langstane Housing 19,788 Big Bang Drumming Group Aberdeen Lads Club 3,485 Health & Well Being Project Tillydrone Community Council 7,860 M26 Male Drop In/Activities Tillydrone Community Council 3,100 Tillydrone Children’s Drama Club Tillydrone Children Drama Club 2,000 Tillydrone Community Flat ACC, CLD 41,000 Tillydrone Community Sports ACC, Active Sports 4,038 Family Support Worker Fersands Family Centre 4,212 Feel Good Project Printfield Community Project 2,400 Printfield Community Project Printfield Community Project 27,893 Twos Group Fersands Family Centre 7,188 Youth Work Support Fersands Community Project 7,000

Adult Evening Activities ACC, CLD 1,700 Alcohol (Brief Intervention) Alcohol Support 2,800 Alcohol Support Outreach Counselling Alcohol Support 10,961 Early Years Family Learning ACC, CLD 6,466 Family Liaison Officer ACC, Education 27,500 St Fittocks Park Floodlighting ACC, Community Safety 3,563 Teen Mums ACC, Torry Youth Project 9,955 Torry Community Sports ACC, Active Schools 7,328 Torry Complimentary Therapies Torry Health Action Team THAT 8,500 Torry Young People's Healthy Eating ACC, Tullos Community Centre 500 Torry Youth Karate Club Torry Youth Karate Club 6,398 Community Taster Sessions Cairncry Community Centre 1,050 Stockethill Community Sports ACC, Active Schools 4,560 Stockethill Family Fun Activities ACC CL&D 6,400 Stockethill Step Up ACC CL&D 7,710 Volunteering in the City Aberdeen Forward 7,000 Transition Extreme Northfield Transition Extreme 4,259 Making the Most of Children at Heathryburn WEA 1,440 Westerton Park Go Play! ACC, Education, Culture and Sport 9,200 Tillydrone Vision Tillydrone Vision 5,000 Reclaiming St Clements park ACC, Education, Culture and Sport 3,000 Muirfield Outdoor Classroom ACC, Education, Culture and Sport 10,000 Mastrick Memories ACC CL&D 2,100

19 Appendix 2

Fairer Scotland Fund Community Summit fairer scotland Aberdeen City Council, Town & County Hall 22nd January 2011 fund

Welcome and Introduction from Councillor John Stewart, leader of Aberdeen City Council

Cllr John Stewart Leader of Aberdeen City Council chaired the Summit and welcomed attendees to the Town and County Hall.

Cllr Stewart introduced the top table of speakers and participants for the morning session; Cllr Kevin Stewart, Depute Leader of Aberdeen City Council, Stewart Carruth, Director of Corporate Governance, Lavina Massie, Chair of The Aberdeen City Alliance and the Fairer Scotland Fund Board, and Aileen Davidson, Fairer Scotland Fund Board member and representative from the Regeneration Matters community forum.

Cllr John Stewart then provided an introduction for the Summit referring to the background to the Fairer Scotland Fund which was initially applied via the Community Planning Partnership for the first two years but was unringfenced in the current financial year with the Council deciding to continue existing arrangements for the disbursal and management of the fund via the Fairer Scotland Fund Board. It was noted that many other Councils in Scotland had already decided to not continue Fairer Scotland Fund as a separate fund but had absorbed the funding within their mainstream Council monies.

Aberdeen City Council had made the decision to continue existing arrangements primarily because the Fairer Scotland Fund Board had performed a very good job in ensuring scrutiny of the fund and the process and high level of community participation in decision making was unique in Scotland.

Cllr John Stewart then referred to the specific challenges facing Aberdeen City Council which is being addressed through the production of a 5 year Business Plan aimed to ensure priority use of the monies that will be available to the Council given the anticipated requirement to make 120M of savings over this period.

th In carrying out this exercise the Council meeting on the 15 December 2010 agreed that the current level of Fairer Scotland Fund should be reduced by 750K and that this Community Summit should be organised to help the Council identify where savings might be made. Whilst recognising this reduction John asked participants to note that this would leave £1.625 M of funds available for supporting projects and initiatives and it being important that the Summit focuses on this substantial amount of funding.

Cllr John Stewart referred to his own period as Chair of the Fairer Scotland Fund Board at the beginning of Fairer Scotland Fund where the various themes and allocations were identified in line with the set objectives for the Fund from the Scottish Government at that time. John questioned whether the themes that were set three years ago are still the

priorities. Are we achieving the desired impact for individuals and communities and how can communities and volunteers be helped to do more for themselves in line with the developing “Big Society” agenda. From his own perspective John stated that given the financial situation in the country key themes such as employability and financial inclusion are still very important in helping people through the recession but recognised that others may have different views about the thematic approach.

Cllr John Stewart concluded therefore the importance that the Summit and the breakout discussion groups provide the opportunity for local people to have their view about the various projects, to question where there might be duplication and consider how better outcomes might be achieved and to improve efficiency.

Fairer Scotland Fund so far Lavina Massie on behalf of The Aberdeen City Alliance and the Fairer Scotland Fund Board read the following statement:

The principles of the Fund are to work in partnership, focusing on long term outcomes and using resources to the best effect to tackle poverty and reduce inequalities. The Fairer Scotland Fund Board has been successful in bringing together the statutory partners, the voluntary and community sectors, representatives from the Civic Forum and, most importantly, residents from Aberdeen’s most disadvantaged communities, to tackle poverty in the city. Decision making is fully inclusive, involving Neighbourhood Networks at a local level, and advice and involvement from partners such as Grampian Police, Grampian Health Board, Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations, as well as the Council. It is an excellent example of collaborative working in practice that we would all like to see continue.

Fairer Scotland Fund projects are primarily about prevention and therefore save public money in the long run. It brings additional value to mainstream services , and offers opportunities to develop innovative approaches and new ways of working. Nearly all of the funding goes to provide frontline services to Aberdeen’s most vulnerable individuals and communities; bureaucracy is kept as low as possible, with a small staff team providing effective, low cost administration. The Fund contributes to many of the priorities our partners and our communities have identified, as well as to outcomes in the Single Outcome Agreement, all aimed at tackling the significant inequalities in our society. We are trying to close the gap in Aberdeen, and the Fairer Scotland Fund is helping to do this.

The Fairer Scotland Fund has demonstrated positive results as evidenced in regular reports. The Corporate Policy and Performance Committee, at its last meeting, considered the latest 6 monthly update which detailed what has been achieved with what is a relatively small investment. The Committee resolved to congratulate the Fairer Scotland Fund Board on the successful allocation of extremely valuable financial support to programmes and projects aimed at tackling poverty and deprivation in our city. It is our hope that the decisions you make over the coming weeks will allow us to keep doing that.

There are many people, some of whom are here today, who are very concerned about losing the support they get from funded Projects. To tell you a bit more about the impacts for people living in disadvantaged communities I would like to hand over to Aileen Davidson. Thank you.

Aileen Davidson on behalf of the Fairer Scotland Fund Board and Regeneration Matters read the following statement:

Before I begin I would like to give you the opportunity of viewing a DVD which was produced by the Regeneration Matters Group. Regeneration Matters wanted this DVD to show the concerns of local people and funded projects that rely heavily on the Fairer Scotland Fund, to make sure that the good work they do continues. The DVD was made 2009 and the group presented it at a workshop at the Learning Network in Regeneration Event for Community Activists and Volunteers in Raploch, hosted by Alex Neil MSP.

DVD played (approx. 10 mins.)…..

The Fairer Scotland Fund has gone a long way to help the most vulnerable people in disadvantaged areas and giving them a positive attitude and something to be proud of. All the disadvantaged areas of Aberdeen have the same problems, Drugs & Alcohol, Anti Social behaviour, unemployment, bad health and problems with community safety. The Fairer Scotland Fund is tackling all these problems with great success and without it supporting the many projects it does, I feel it will cost the city more over the next few years than it will save if we do not continue to invest in the work it does.

A sample of the work done in Tillydrone was sent out to all councillors and I hope they had the opportunity to read it as it showed that within these communities over 500 volunteers give a large amount of hours to help their communities. For example Community Flats are fully funded by the Fairer Scotland Fund and they are at the heart of the communities as far as supporting and informing local people as well as providing a venue for other agencies to use. The Fairer Scotland Fund has also helped over 1000 people back into work, 300 people a year use counselling services in their local area, credit unions prevent people getting into debt and the police are making our communities safer places to live.

I will finish by saying that the Fairer Scotland Fund is aimed at the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the City and the continuation of the Fairer Scotland Fund to support them is a Key Priority for all who care for the most vulnerable citizens of Aberdeen.

Questions & Answers – Morning Session

Q. Where is the £750,000 going?

A. Council is not getting it due to cuts to Aberdeen City Council and across the country. Technically, the ring fencing has been removed, but it is not intended to remove the whole budget as people recognise the value of the Fund.

Q. There may be organisations receiving funding that are doing core work, and impact on, for example, Health and Social Care. Is there a case for mainstreaming these, will the Council look into this?

A. This is a partnership fund, not just the Council. The reduction in public sector funding is resulting in challenging times, with a need to deliver savings in the long term. Although the Council is making cuts it is also allocating £10m new spend to changing the way services are delivered. It is not possible to promise things will be mainstreamed. There is a need to avoid duplication of funding and outcomes, and partners need to work closer together across the whole public sector.

Q. Is there an intention to exclude specific Projects from receiving funding?

A. This is a matter for the Fairer Scotland Fund Board to look at; the Board is seeking guidance on the main priorities for use of the Fund.

Q. Voluntary organisations appreciate the situation the Council is in, and want to work with the Council. Many lever in additional funding and work across all or several of the FSF themes. A plea not to retreat into silos and compete with each other, but rather to work together and cooperate.

A. There is an opportunity to have a radical look at whether the FSF themes should still exist, and are they the right themes? The Fund is having the greatest impact in the communities. Today is an opportunity to break down silos. Each neighbourhood could receive a set allocation and decide how to spend it.. There is more freedom now the Fund is unringfenced. The Scottish Government expectations were that it should impact on the 0-15% most deprived areas and focus on Employment and Financial Inclusion, as they were most heavily weighted in the Scottish Index of Multiple deprivation. While these expectations need to apply, it is possible to take a wider look. 70% of the most deprived people live outwith the most deprived neighbourhoods.

Q. The Five Year Business Plan offers opportunities to plan ahead, but things may change over this period. Is the Five Year Business Plan based on the same level of funding being received?

A. It is based on assuming that Scottish Government funding will reduce. Aberdeen is bottom of the funding table. In relation to Fairer Scotland Fund there is no assumption that this will reduce in future. £1,625,000 over the next 5 years, this recurring funding would ensure a degree of stability, as a percentage of the Council budget it equates to an increase. There would be flexibility to increase it if the situation improves. Every pound

spent must be right, and the public sector needs to work closely together. £1.625m represents a considerable investment.

Q. What is the timescale for decisions and who makes them?

A. The Council makes it’s budget decisions in February, then the Fairer Scotland Fund Board will have responsibility for allocating funding. They will set timescales, and are aware of the need for early decisions and the impact on Projects.

Q. Is there a guarantee that the Fairer Scotland Fund will stay the same, £1.625m, no matter what?

A. That is the assumption in the Five Year Business Plan. However, there may be a change in administration or further Government cuts that might mean the Business Plan being changed. It is the intention of this administration to leave the Fund at £1.625. Unlike other Local Authorities, Aberdeen City Council has kept the fund, giving communities and the FSF Board the right to make decisions.

Q. Is there an opportunity today to look at finding ways to do things differently, for example mainstreaming?

A. There is little scope to mainstream, but can give guidance to the FSF Board on how to allocate the funding available. Happy to get feedback on how services can be improved. There is an opportunity to look at innovation and ideas, and ensure there is no duplication. It is a good time to be open and honest about duplication and effectiveness and to look at other funding that is available.

Q. Will the Community Support Fund be continued?

A. Today is an opportunityrd to inform the FSF Board, give them guidance, to be discussed the their meeting on the 3 of February.

Q. Is there recognition that some things may be duplicated, but if some were stopped the others couldn’t cope with the extra numbers?

A. This is a matter for the round table discussions, and feedback to the FSF Board.

Round table discussion groups

TABLE 1 – Elaine Sinclair (Facilitator)

Expectations of today (Key Points): • Long term planning involving communities – capacity building, learn from other areas in UK and their achievements – lesson drawing • Partnership funding/working • Look at working models of ways of working/delivering services out in communities – referral/progression of individuals between service providers • Bring things locally – local service delivery + Social benefits, skills/individual • Identify priorities for future focus – no duplication • Coping with less money, making sure spent well • External funding

Challenges: • Duplications – e.g. Multiple services delivering out of one site but not talking to each other – services being precious about their own provision • Community have a role in brining services together as well as services taking steps • Brutal approach – do more for less

Linkages and Natural Connections: • Themes need to be revisited – i.e. Employability, literacies, financial exclusion – can’t be tackled separately - they need to be pulled together - interlinked delivery areas (integrated services) • Neighbourhoods, Community Support Fund, Community Safety - opportunities to link should be investigated

Social Benefits – Outcomes: Mustn’t lose sight of following: • even smallest of interventions can achieve big impact on individuals and groups • Confidence building – initial engagement leads on to more involvement and build individual skills – Community cohesion/social isolation • Volunteering value and moving on to improving own employability circumstances

Overarching Partnerships: Need to pull community groups together to form strong, democratic voice, FSF Board and Regeneration Matters group should be directly linked to local representative groups, and need to consider:- • Role of community councils • Role of police etc. • Neighbourhood or theme based partnerships e.g. local events delivering locally – Cash in Your Pocket Partnership model overarching and refer to agencies • Support for Projects – need strong local network stage • Forum – Bring Community Councils/forums/networks together • Joint issues/democratic

• Community Capacity Building • Services Capacity Building

External Funding – Supporting project to look/apply elsewhere

Theme/Focus on Spend

Challenges: • Need more information on thematic spend and delivery • Reduce duplication with themed and neighbourhood project spend • The fund is open to individuals in non-regeneration areas – how is this delivered – how is need and individuals identified • Need value now, interventions • Consolidate now and expand when (financial) circumstances allow • Learn from other Scottish areas who have cut FSF fund – how did projects there cope? Particularly for sole funded projects e.g. Cummings Park flat – managing impact • Are we increasing over dependence on volunteers without giving them support – danger of volunteer “burn out” – driving the process and overtaking • Immediate task for affected projects - private investment – review individual projects on a 1-1 basis and identify alternative funding opportunities and support organisation developing funding bids elsewhere. Need support to do this. • Increase in other charges by projects to cover their funding shortfalls– impact on users • Job losses in projects – support for affected individuals needed • Volunteers voice – ACVO role? Training – ACVO role not apparent yet to most projects • Language used needs to be clear – not ‘gobbledegook’ Council/service speak – • Where are the ethnic minority community representatives in forums and boards and decision-making processes?

Themes/Focus: Change groupings – e.g. Education, Training, Employment – and greater practical link to local employers/industry needs (not just small cohorts of service providers) Themes Status quo – not an option, not seen as feasible or effective in terms of targeting, transparency and duplication Why ring fenced neighbourhoods if delivered via theme, why not have a rework of themes that are all required to be referred to local forums for consultation – would only work if neighbourhoods are properly consulted? OR All neighbourhood led – join up local needs and “buy in” services that are required – without duplication – how do you ensure equal voice etc. Need to support forums if they are able to fulfil this role OR Middleway – review thematic – and support neighbourhood groupings to review all local needs and secure/call on services to respond • Community Support Fund/Support Team Staffing – combine for saving? • Improve timescales/productivity in developing and delivering projects, decision making takes too long.

• Improve timescales for staffing – redundancies, employment in projects etc. for communications from Council to allow community groups to consider and respond to consultations etc. for Budgets etc. • Improve minorities’ involvement in local groupings.

TABLE 1 feedback

Working together in collaboration and learn lessons from elsewhere – good practice.

Progression – especially employment, how local services deliver – cuts. Social issues.

Community cohesion sills etc. Challenges – duplication. Community and Services have role to tackle duplication.

Themes – need to rethink. Employment, Literacy, Financial Inclusion etc. overarching partnership, link at neighbourhood level. Stronger voice, more support for communities to work together – joint agenda. Neighbourhoods need more info on thematics. Some projects are fund through neighbourhoods and themes – duplication. Review themes and take all proposals to stronger, unified local forums

Private investment. No changes, more support for volunteers and lack of minorities. No split thematic and neighbourhood. Just thematic or just neighbourhood pot. Neighbourhood process brought into all groupings.

Timescales – decisions/funding communications and consultations generally.

TABLE 2 – Ian Paterson (Facilitator)

Outcomes achieved so far? What difference are funded initiatives making? • 0 or £1.6m. – Positive • Problems and some solutions • What about outcomes? • Report systems – not just number crunching, qualitative and quantitative, chance to change today – across the city • Worthwhile e.g. healthy house, youth flat • Problems citywide – not just in specific areas • thematic also pump priming • 3 years? Maximising the use of all available funding: • Duplication, complacency, greater formation and analysis of information for Fairer Scotland Fund • Service Level Agreements? • Match Funding – Apathy? • £1.6m available from other sources? Where future savings might be made: • 1/3 of 2010/2011 to Aberdeen City Council/Police, how much is done by them/others, statutory agencies cost more • £80,000 to run FSF? – Admin. charges of S.B./Third Sector organisations • Why managed by Council?

• Government Funds? • Health – some duplication? • More research by associated groups e.g. CHP, CJP prior to consideration • Exercise required identifying duplication – council 5 year consultation document good start? • Hub – centre of info? Key Themes • Analysis of thematic? - Locality v. citywide or “citywide projects”. Community Engagement • Unanimous “we need to”, “we’ve got to” - consultation/engagement • Not decision making+

TABLE 2 feedback

• £1.6m. better than nothing • GNP – things move on. • Need more analysis/information. Look at qualitative as well as quantitative. Process – what done – analyse across the city not just in areas. • Difference – need themes, common across city. • Pump priming, but not just left there. Maximum time to fund things? Alternative funding – duplication and complacency – ACVO role, another £1.6 million available in the city from other places – ADP/Community Safety. National funding available, make better use of NE doesn’t access. • Service Level Agreements for bigger projects? • Match funding • National lottery – making more funding available - Savings • ACC and Grampian Police 1/3 of funding – do they need to be done by ACC and police? Initiated by the, then done by other. Statuary organisation cost more. • Administration charges an issue. – Board to consider • Scottish Government funds. - statuary organisation can’t access, voluntary organisations can – complicated. • More research, look at bids, ask officials to do research – but more bureaucracy. • Exercise to identify duplication into 5 year business plan e.g. ACVO – hub. • Analysis of thematic – need to keep thematic. No conclusion thematic/neighbourhoods. • Improve community engagement and communication

TABLE 3 – Gillian Robertson (Facilitator)

Tullos Community Centre – variety of Projects for all ages ( Mixing Groups

Torry ( Arts Activities – support for youngsters ( Neighbourhood budgets

Printfield – 6 week course, including conference – Alterative Therapy – full – further training – sharing of outcomes and how to ensure these are recorded

Youth Work Work Crèche

No real linkages with themed and other projects either city wide or in some cases neighbourhood projects

Outcomes: • Recording outcomes – customer feedback is key and sharing this can also help move people on. • Clear outcomes set and shared – recorded and agreed how to report back on outcomes achieved – record impacts on individuals • Support required for some projects to ensure they have the capability to capture this effectively – perhaps event for this sharing and highlighting good practice for a variety of outcome FSF board want to see. Examples of Outcomes: • Increased confidence • Increased school participation • Less Doctor visits • More interaction in communities • SROI • Into Work and staying in work Duplication: • Computer classes in Tillydrone – now 3, not fully utilised – would like to see better partnership working resulting in only 1 per area • Similar in Torry – (Make easily accessible for all by asking the communities) • Explain to Community reason for eliminating duplication etc. I.E better amalgamating similar types of groups in neighbouring areas to save money rather than cut both • Increase participation and awareness to wider communities, ensure there is a demand for activities and projects are delivering what is required with numbers on projects being near to full • Lack of parenting support • Lack of peer groups e.g. older volunteers helping and sharing experiences with younger people Funding Recommendation – • All projects applying for funding should take a cut • Too much dependency on this funding course – suggesting project come together • Need to give support to local organisation in securing other funding (ACVO funding group) • Merging Projects – issues cross boundary not what people want • Speak and explain to community, better to have 1 merged service than 2 not being funded • People willing to travel more for social activities than for community support projects • Drugs – need to speak with Aberdeen Drugs Partnership to get this support more interactive with communities

KEEP • Financial inclusion – potential duplication to give savings and review delivery partners

• Community safety – Liked police project in Torry • Community support fund • Employment – savings to be made – link with all funding available. Focus on young people – link with communities to improve participation and to allow people to progress from community projects to employment projects.

POINTS TO NOTE: Disappointed that there is no or very little representation from youth

TABLE 3 feedback

• Communications – project s with communities • Outcomes – some organisations need support how to record meaningfully. Need feedback and share with other projects in area – (gaps, next steps) Need to have clear steer on outcomes to be achieved from funding allocated • Neighbourhoods join up work rather than ½ full in each area. All projects should take a cut. Too much dependency on FSF.

• ACVO could be used better. Support to communities to access other funding.

• Travel outside local area.

• Drugs – important but look at ADP, other drugs/alcohol. • Keep Financial Inclusion – but review how this is being delivered and perhaps link to other themes to allow some efficiencies • Community Safety • Community Support • Employability – savings would be made. • Better links in communities

TABLE 4 – Ailsa Duncan (Facilitator)

OUTCOMES: • Community Support • Community Cohesion • On-sport drop in advice/info. • Employment • Little individual changes now – broader changes in future • Local services less intimidating • Safety – anti-social behaviour, violence, drugs

EFFICIENCES: • Better use of public sector assets/buildings to free up Fairer Scotland Fund – why pay 5 rents e.g. in one area • Shared management for local projects • Rationalisation of council/FSF/partner service e.g. income maximization • Leverage funding • Better joined up outcomes • Distribution of outcomes • Could mainstream work with other projects and services

PRIORITIES: • Employability – look at new ways of working and funding it • Financial inclusion – look at new way of working and funding it • No duplication within FSF funded projects • No duplication between partners/public services and FSF funded services • Duplication – audit and mapping – required • Worker costs is a big consideration • Back room efficiencies – single manager over a number of projects – single payroll/admin. – rationalisation of building assets • Themes preferable with neighbourhood priorities based on analysis of need • New approaches to funding delivery of services • Flexibility to respond to changing environment e.g. Govt. policy • Leverage requirement? • Build on end to end process working with partners • % of FSF for new innovations which could be mainstreamed or % leverage

TABLE 4 feedback

The discussion very much centred around the advantage of having the Fairer Scotland Fund and the positive outcomes it can deliver for individuals, families and communities. The local services were highlighted as extremely useful and less intimidating.

There was general agreement that themes should be kept, but that neighbourhood priorities should be reflected in the theme. The Financial Inclusion and Employability themes are making a big difference.

Priorities: • Retain themes • Clearer outcomes for communities • New approached to funding • Flexibility to respond to changing situation • Reduce/stop duplication within FSF funded services and with FSF funded services and mainstream services • Mapping of services and projects to get a better idea of provision • Backroom efficiencies – e.g. payroll, admin., management and building assets • Leverage – should this be a requirement? • % of FSF for innovation

TABLE 5 – David Fryer (Facilitator) Priorities • Community Flats • Maintenance of jobs (esp. for those who stay in Regeneration areas) – priority (employment of voluntary sector) • Relationship between Mainstream and FSF (local funds) – who controls what! • Process…working together

• Minimise/eliminate duplication Lack of Communication • Who does this? • What different centres do? • Learning partnership – led by someone in the community using Community Planning Partners (lack of focus on leading) • Priority themes – balance regeneration areas with deprivation elsewhere, look at again? • Fairer Scotland Board should look at its own membership is it representative! • FSF to make a difference (with other funds) • Look for (DIY) funds help for older people? • Help volunteers to help others • Matched funding – no group penalised if successful

FSF Allocations : • re-visit to eliminate duplication/identify need • work to get shared/co-ordinated approach (make this an expectation) • Ask applicants to show how they have sought to work with others and show additional value. • Helping hand(s) (not a hand-out) – build capacity (in volunteers), (help people to help themselves). • Making a difference (shared criteria for spending!) • Bias for voluntary and community organisations to deliver FSF funded projects Communications: • Local is best • SHMU – good examples • Ask the residents in the community (word of mouth) • Identify local networks (done by?) • Place(s) to share information • Good partnership (what is it) working • Making a difference – made interesting • Look for additional outcomes • Don’t be too professional! (can exclude local groups)

TABLE 5 feedback

• Communications – key point. Organisations need to hear from local people on what their needs are. Wider community, not just usual groups. • Good partnership working. Will Fairer Scotland Fund make a difference in terms of what they are doing? Applications should say other funding they have looked at for matched funding but not penalised if not. • Please look at duplication as a priority. Ask groups to show what they’re doing that’s unique. Balance regeneration areas and other. Employment and Health are city issues.

TABLE 6 – Daniel Johnston (Facilitator)

• Neighbourhoods – as they stand – One project co-ordinator for all projects (or at least looking at amalgamating certain roles)?

• Local authority needs to take lead – sharing admin., payroll functions etc. • Neighbourhoods – very important. Grassroots stuff – rationalising admin. and management of projects. • Events combine? • Pro rata cut – this process too quick – grudges etc. – people holding up agreement – projects will have to think out of the box. • No pro rata – managing every bit of funding, impossible for the board • Suggestion – not scrutinised for 1 year? Next year – scrutiny needs to start this year – intense lobbying ‘who shouts the loudest wins’

Themes: Cause overreliance on particular perspectives – Mental Health etc. • Across the board cut – easy but organisations won’t be able to fulfil current remits • Employment – no jobs but moving people in right direction • Neighbourhoods – allocations – some very good workers, some not – should they be paid by results instead of salaries? • Are we doing things the right way? Drugs etc. • Fairer Scotland Fund– lots of stuff simply shifted that used to be done by social work • Some projects should be mainstreamed, but no funding. Some projects are top- ups to mainstream departments (police and local authority in particular). Should these be targeted first? • Drop-ins should be for purpose – some facilities, no-one coming in, waste of time? • Voluntary Sector – whole is bigger than part in funding terms – admin. and managers etc. vital - co-ordination needs funding • Animators etc. first engagement – knocking doors as first engagement • How are Neighbourhoods constructed – look at amalgamations? • Services for disadvantaged important thing. If coming together can help, should! • Themes – arbitrary? ‘Social exclusion’ covers them all • Regeneration focus – excludes people in need in other areas • Duplication – look to reduce. What is thought of as duplication is often specialized services, though, really. • Focus on particular themes? Financial inclusion? • Themes really only there to help the board – cutting particular themes – 30-% off everything? Pro-rata cut – easiest option – Some projects wouldn’t be able to continue, however. • Employment and Training – lots of groups helping (criss-crossing) and no jobs. – Job Centre works with groups anyway. • Outcomes? – Projects are usually on the go for 1 year at least before anyone can find out their results • Employment agencies are often really helping with confidence etc. • The outcome of this process will be that people on the outer reaches of society will be forgotten because they’re difficult – agencies under pressure will tend to go for easy outcomes • Practical experience shows certain things aren’t working • Neighbourhood focus can lead to anecdotal evidence – leads to an over focus on local provision • Criticism of local authority and police etc being funded through the Fairer Scotland Fund but such an approach will get nasty

• Priorities in local areas – how do we decide? Pro-rata this year from now – year after every group scrutinised by theme? • Who’s making decisions? Don’t want tribalism, anecdotal, prejudice in equation • Fairer Scotland Fund Board – should require projects to come together to talk about sharing backroom services etc. – There are too many internal politics for groups to discuss them objectively. • Partnership work is more important than ever in these times (with partners fighting over funding), but is also ultimately more difficult. • Diversity of those making the decisions is important - the make up of Fairer Scotland Fund Board should possibly be looked at in the future • The make up of most regeneration areas has changed, with the disadvantaged more scattered, - this is really a sign that the current approach is working Outcomes: • figures show most things working • practical experience left some thinking certain projects weren’t • Shouldn’t rely on anecdotal evidence, particular problems with neighbourhood focus along with over focus on local provision • Project take year and before any results are available • Particular mention made of financial inclusion, employment: getting people in right direction but there are no jobs – criss-crossing projects • Duplication often just specialization • Worry that people on outer reaches of society are forgotten as agencies go for easy outcomes, particularly with funding reduced. • Regeneration areas make up has changed sign approach is working? Maximising Use • Methods of engagement of disadvantaged – door knocking? rather than drop-ins – events – combine? • Organisations should combine backroom staff (admin/management) – enforced by local authority • 70% poverty not in regeneration areas • Neighbourhood allocations – discussion of amalgamation in parts/particular roles. • Partnership working more important and difficult, Fairer Scotland Fund Board and ensure no duplication.

TABLE 6 feedback

• Figures show most things working. Don’t rely on anecdotal new projects – need time to evaluate. • Duplication? – often just specialisation. • Many agencies will go for easy outcomes. Make up of regeneration areas has change – things working – but 70% outwith areas. Neighbourhood and thematic not resolved – organisation share backroom costs/staff, amalgamate, share roles. Partnership working is important but can be difficult. • Fairer Scotland Fund Board – role in making sure no duplication. Only so much they can do. TABLE• 7 30% – Val pro Tweedie rat cut across(Facilitator) all best option. Scrutiny process over the next year – risk to smaller project. Some goes to top up council projects. What has• fund achieved? • Themes – need communication between themes e.g. mental health covers many. • Many Focus examples on volunteers of life changing intervention • A lot

Maximising The Fund: • Themes can hinder focus of projects on social outcomes • Take a long term view of success • Community outcomes as criteria • Pump prime activity to become self-sustaining • Need based rather than neighbourhood • Possible – Fairer Aberdeen Priorities: • Substance mis-use • Financial inclusion • Young people/early intervention • Community wellbeing Savings: • Duplicate projects (e.g. Credit Unions x 3) • A view that employability projects are duplicated • Process needs to be robust • Support volunteering • Look for projects to pool resources • Work across neighbourhood boundaries • Make the money follow people not places

TABLE 7 feedback

• No support thematic % distribution. Barrier look more broadly. Criteria outcomes at local level. • Pump prime – self sustaining.

• Priorities: substance misuse, financial inclusion, young people & early intervention and

community well being.

• Savings: Duplication – more support volunteering. Didn’t have expertise to pinpoint

duplication e.g. number of credit unions, employment – potential duplication, projects –

pull resources, building on expertise.

• Not too rigid approach in terms of locality of projects. Allow broad access. • Take a long term view of success – milestones be agreed • Possible Fairer Aberdeen Fund – suggest rebranding of FSF • Make the money follow people it need not be only places which are geographically restricted

TABLE 8 – Alan Mulvie (Facilitator)

• Neighbourhood Vs. Themes • Community groups to be able to apply – no exclusion • Fairer Scotland Fund needs to be more open and accountable • Local Management/control of local budgets • Exclusive – neighbourhood funding will have affect on organisations • How to deal with duplication • Shift of ‘control’ to local communities – needs thematic and neighbourhood – mix? • Local knowledge of what’s going on – avoid duplication

• Individuals not living in regeneration areas also needing help • Possible competition for funding • Deprivation is different in each neighbourhood

THEMES:

City Wide Neighbourhoods Vs.

Both strands of funding are required however there is a desire for more localised funding towards neighbourhood issues, as different regeneration neighbourhoods have different needs.

FSF Board & Local Community

While the FSF board does have local community members, support is required to ensure these individuals can represent the views of their community and communicate the Boards decisions to the their community.

SUMMARY • The FSF decisions/spend needs to be open and accountable • Neighbourhood Vs. Themes – both needed but a move towards neighbourhoods – no figures place • More local decision making • Support to make local ‘reps’ - representative • Duplication does exist but difficult to identify without more detailed information • More information required to be communicated to local groups • Possible competition for funding – joint working rather than competing • Not all regeneration areas are the same

TAB LE 8 feedback

• Decision making more open to communities. Lack of knowledge – thematic. • Both thematic and neighboured needed but shift to neighbourhoods. More local control how funding is spent. How representative are local representative of wider community how can support be provided to assist with this. • Duplication, Recognition that duplication exists but it is hard to identify without detailed info. • Communication needs to be better in local communities – different organisations are competing for same funding when they should be working together. • 7 Regeneration areas – needs are different in each area hence the desire to move toward a neighbourhood basis for funding.

TABLE 9 – Dave Kilgour (Facilitator) • Feedback not being listened to, needs to be improved • Mainstreaming of funding unrealistic • Why has duplication/inefficiency not been addressed • Rapid access/stats dependency/alcohol + drugs

• Duplication not necessarily a bad thing? • Should not prioritise neighbourhood projects • Reality of providing venue for local support • Community flats provide good access vs. centralisation of services leads to increased travel costs and reduced access • Foyer funds attract other leverage e.g. Princes Trust Project • Employment theme still a key category • Comparison between outcomes – projects often trying to do different things • Need to avoid rigid compartmentalisation • Don’t disadvantage smaller projects • Efficiency saving alone will not deal with the required cut • Clarification that the funding available will be £1.625 million • Same issues in all areas – need for regeneration • Support existing projects first • Categories and themes should stay the same • Not a lot of major change • On going feedback – review categories • Not practical in next 2 weeks to achieve major structural change • Staged approach needed including continuation and review • Treat projects that are getting multiple funding differently • Funding reduction some projects may need to cease • More honesty and trust • Big Vs. small • Advice on other funding streams • Dedicated funding officer • More of one off day – more than one process • Better sharing of knowledge/experience and success between projects

TABLE 9 feedback Communication • Need to provide better feedback to communities by projects on what they are achieving • This day is a good start but there needs to be more discussion about how to go forward – more events through the year Outcomes • Concern that hard and soft outcomes are not easy to compare • Projects are doing different things – not always easy to compare one thing with another • A lot is being achieved with a little – we are not necessarily capturing all the benefits • Concern that small projects would be disadvantaged – less likely to absorb cuts Themes • General recognition that the existing themes are key ones – no need for immediate change but should be reviewed/sharpened over the coming year and each theme • No time to completely review given projects need to know about continuation • Feeling that pro-rata cut would allow time to review for the future through the year • But FSF Board needs to examine the impact for initiatives – projects that receive multiple funding from others may be better placed to absorb cuts vs. projects that might cease if monies stop or are significantly reduced – Big Vs. Small Savings • We need to use Board members e.g. ACVO/Council Funding officer support etc. to provide support to maximise/lever in other funds • Duplication – not always clear that18 this is the case – local Vs. central • Plea – For true honesty and trust – about money/sharing and support.

Questions & Answers – Plenary Session

Councillor John Stewart, Councillor Kevin Stewart, Aberdeen City Council; Adrian Watson, Grampian Police; Heather Kelman, NHS Grampian; Ian Paterson, ACVO; Lavina Massie, Civic Forum/Fairer Scotland Fund Board; Stewart Carruth, Aberdeen City Council.

Q. In Seaton we have Outreach Chiropody service (NHS) and hope that it remains?

A. There is no intention of reducing podiatry care in local communities

Q. Funding in neighbourhood and city of £1.625 million merits focus on key regeneration areas rather than spread thinly across the city.

A. The GNP funding was only in certain areas and this sometimes resulted in tension amongst people living across the street not being able to access it. Providing neighbourhood services only can be difficult when 70% of people in poverty do not live in the regeneration areas. Neighbourhood allocations work well, with local scrutiny, and are well run. We can’t go back to only allocating funding based on geographic areas but should protect neighbourhood projects that work well.

ACVO can help with where to look for funds, before going to the NHS, Aberdeen City Council, Fairer Scotland Fund or Grampian Police. There is a need to work harder and put in more time. Identify priorities, but before that look for funding. It would be useful to map out where funding is available.

There needs to be a mix of equality of needs not just geography. Regeneration areas are a priority, needs a combination of meeting needs and working with individual communities to look at how we are meeting their needs.

There needs to be an understanding of what is being spent and target the areas of greatest need.

A reasonable balance between neighbourhoods and thematic funding was agreed 3 years ago. Some areas such as Sunnybank, Froghall and Powis don’t qualify for support though neighbourhood funding as the deprivation is masked.

Not everything fits within one theme. For example, in Health, Mental Health Counselling and Alcohol & Drugs work also impact on community safety and employment.

Themes can be changed, or issues ranked by priority needs across the city. There is a need to avoid silo mentality and duplication.

The themes are taken from the SIMD. System has worked, but can be reviewed/refined.

Q. Seaton has worst Health need in the City so there is a need for better facilities

A. Seaton has the biggest GP practice on the door step, in King Street, and the Health Village in Frederick Street. There is a lot of investment on the east side of the city. It is not possible to move GP practices, but using other venues as well – Seaton is a priority.

Q. How will the media react to decisions relating to Fairer Scotland Fund?

A. This has been discussed with the media already. SHMU have been helpful, people have accepted that there will be cuts and they will work with it.

PR – you the community are the PR, and you can make a difference. Things are much better in the city and there are more good stories relating to NHS/ACC/Grampian Police.

The media in Aberdeen have produced bad news stories concerning threats of closures to schools etc. There is not enough good news of what projects are doing and the impact they have on communities, which would make it easier to access funds elsewhere.

There are difficulties defining outcomes and impacts, making this clearer would be easier to promote. Link promotion and understanding of outcomes/impacts.

Impact on the individual and human interest stories should go to the media. Projects will have good news, human interest, need support to identify people to say why funding is important.

Q. Is Station House Media Unit included in that definition of media? They have hour long local radio shows for each area and newsletters, and will publicise positive stories if they are given them.

A. Local media means local newspapers and mainstream media. For example they may cover Youth exclusion orders in Torry, but not mention the Youth Café.

Communications within communities is good, but we need people from outside the areas to hear about what’s going on.

Q. Regarding match funding, can the FSF Board take up the challenge? Is there help available to access funding, using a partnership approach - a helping hand, not a hand out?

A. ACVO has a role in this, and need to be more aware of offering advice and guidance. Need to build capacity to support organisations to look for alternative funding, rather than just applying to FSF

The FSF is a good example of the benefits of working in partnership. It funded police work across the city, Operation Maple, which would not have been possible without FSF. There was support to those arrested through innovative schemes, and it received good support from the Evening Express. Grampian Police took every opportunity to mention FSF. There is a great deal of respect for the FSF Board and those who support it – people making decisions.

ACVO should take the lead, could organise a seminar to break down barriers, form filling. Not a lot of applications coming from this area - they won’t get if they don’t apply.

ACVO should be informing people of what funding is available. However, organisations have a responsibility too.

Social enterprises have a role to play, as do community benefit clauses. The Private Sector has social responsibilities.

Q. Will a report of today’s Summit be available?

A. Yes, the discussions and notes will be written up, and a report circulated to attendees.

Cllr John Stewart thanked everyone for attending and stated that there had been some very interesting discussion and hoped everyone found it a useful day.

Fairer Scotland Fund Community Summit attendees

Acky Stewart, Regeneration Matters, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Adam Coldwells, Alcohol Support Ltd Adrian Watson, Grampian Police, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Aileen Davidson, Regeneration Matters, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Ailsa Duncan, Linking Opportunity & Need Team Alan Hird, Community Food Initiatives North East Alan Manson, Fersands Community Project Alan Mulvie, Aberdeen City Council, Education, Culture & Sport Alice Smith, Torry Arts Forum Andy Barry, Regeneration Matters Andy Cowie, Powis Gateway Community Centre Anne Geddes, Torry Matters Group Anne Knight, Aberdeen City Council, Corporate Governance Annette Bruton, Aberdeen City Council, Education, Culture & Sport Arthur Forbes, Civic Forum, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Beki Lucas, Station House Media Unit Bill Ferguson, Aberdeen Foyer Billie Arthur, Regeneration Matters Brian Downie, Tillydrone Regeneration Network Catherine Sinclair, North East Scotland Sensory Services Charlie Lynch, WEA Chris Wood, Regeneration Matters Cllr Aileen Malone, Aberdeen City Council Cllr George Adam, Aberdeen City Council Cllr Gordon Graham, Aberdeen City Council Cllr Irene Cormack, Aberdeen City Council Cllr Jackie Dunbar, Aberdeen City Council Cllr James Hunter, Aberdeen City Council Cllr James Kiddie, Aberdeen City Council Cllr Jim Noble, Aberdeen City Council, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Cllr John Stewart, Aberdeen City Council Cllr Kevin Stewart, Aberdeen City Council Daniel Johnston, Cash In Your Pocket Dave Kilgour, Aberdeen City Council, Corporate Governance Dave Simmers, North East Scotland Credit Union, David Fryer, Aberdeen City Council, Education, Culture & Sport Elaine Sinclair, Aberdeen City Council, Education, Culture & Sport Fred McBride, Aberdeen City Council, Social Care & Wellbeing Gillian Robertson, Linking Opportunity & Need Team Gordon Donald, Woodside Regeneration Network, Heather Kelman, NHS Grampian Helen McPherson, Regeneration Matters Helen Paterson, Regeneration Matters Helen Richmond, North Literacy Project Henry Arthur, Regeneration Matters Ian Paterson, ACVO, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Jackie Burns, Regeneration Matters James Friend, Mental Health Aberdeen Janice Lyon, Care and Repair, Castlehill Housing Association

Jody Skinner, Regeneration Matters, Fairer Scotland Fund Board John Scott, Middlefield Regeneration Group June Blanchett, Torry Health Action Team Karen Milne, Cash In Your Pocket Keith Henderson, Grampian Police Ken Locke, Aberdeen City Council, Education, Culture & Sport Lavina Massie, The Aberdeen City Alliance, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Louisa Brown, Fersands Community Project Margaret England, Pathways Martin Murchie, Aberdeen City Council, Corporate Governance Mike Melvin, ACVO Moyra Mair, Regeneration Matters, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Murdoch MacLeod, Regeneration Matters Nick Bruce, Regeneration Matters, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Nigel Dower, Citizens Advice Bureau Pamela Landsborough, Regeneration Matters Paul McMenemy, Regeneration Matters, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Richard Wood, Seaton Community Project Rosella Thomson, Regeneration Matters Sharlene Reid, Regeneration Matters Sheila Strachan, Regeneration Matters Steve Delaney, Grampian Housing Association Stewart Carruth, Aberdeen City Council, Corporate Governance Susan Thoms, Aberdeen City Council Sybil Semple, Grampian Racial Equality Council Sylvia Davidson, Regeneration Matters, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Val Tweedie, NHS Grampian, Fairer Scotland Fund Board Vicky Graham, Printfield Community Project Wilma MacPherson, Drugs Action

Apologies: Fred McBride, Aberdeen City Council, Social Care & Wellbeing Gordon McIntosh, Aberdeen City Council, Enterprise, Planning & Infrastructure

Summary of Evaluation Feedback

A total of 79 people attended the Fairer Scotland Fund Community Summit and 25 evaluation forms were completed by attendees. The following is a brief summary of feedback from those participants who completed forms. The majority of feedback shows a very positive view of the Community Summit, meeting people’s expectations of the day and a genuine sense of being consulted noting that the round the table discussions were an ideal way of achieving this.

Q. 1 What did you hope today’s Summit would achieve and were your expectations met? Clarify priorities from community perspective Better understanding of FSF Board What people across the city want from Fairer Scotland Fund Information sharing and ideas for the future of Fairer Scotland Fund Positive, honest and open dialogue about difficult financial situation To highlight the need for continuation of FSF An opportunity to contribute to discussion Did not get the chance to explore innovative solutions

Q. 2. Did you find the introduction and Q & A session in the morning and the final session of the day useful? Opportunity for elected members to promote view Interesting Morning session not long enough Good participation Felt the discussion round the table was more useful that Q. & A session Understanding that the funding will be cut and the need to work together to ensure the remaining funding is spent in the best possible way that will benefit the city as a whole It demonstrated how concerned participants were about services and the effects of cuts on the vulnerable Should have been clearer division between final Q. & A. and the plenary 16 people agreed that they found Q. & A sessions very useful

Q. 3 Workshops – round the table discussions. Which key questions did your group spend the most time discussing? Several mentioned the need to eradicate duplication on delivery of any project What should make bids eligible e.g. match funding to demonstrate local commitment? to deliver the best community impact by use of themes being changed in favour of broader community needs What the priorities and outcomes should be for Fairer Scotland Fund Potential funding input from private sector Thematic spend, who should deliver projects? Extra outcome and impact additional to those specified on funding applications – again value for money Sharing management/support/service costs for projects

Q. 4 Did you feel that the “round table discussion” worked well, if not why? Some members were not listened to – although they had valuable contributions to make I believe everybody’s view was taken into account and well represented in the feedback Worked well Good mix of people around the table Excellent discussion and good ideas to take forward Frank and open discussion …tempting for people to ‘defend their own corner’ had to keep pulling discussion back to the key questions

Needed more time Some areas were discussed in too much detail, possibly to the detriment of other considerations

Q. 5 Were there any points that you would have liked to add which you did not get the opportunity to discuss Working in the voluntary sector we always have to look for external funding…it should be standard to supply this information Was able to discuss all aspects required Wide ranging discussion – well reported Would have liked to hear view from FSF Board about £750,000 cut How can we attract further monies to ensure the survival of important serves for marginalised citizens

Q. 6 Additional Comments Useful day, hope the FSF Board will have enough views to support them find ways to reduce the spend… Discussion at end seemed unproductive and full of waffling The community summit was excellent – good discussion and ideas for effective solutions to make savings while meeting the needs of people and our communities Chance to network with others who are involved in FSF Lots of work to be done not only FSF board but partner providers In the allocated time a lot was covered in a very warm and friendly atmosphere I hope that during the difficult decisions ahead, the FSF Board keep in mind the needs of our residents at the core of their decisions and look at the qualitative outcomes as well as quantitative I think the FSF Board needs more than one day to make their decisions as many people/communities will be directly affected and these decisions shouldn’t be rushed Key issue is an audit of outcomes and duplication of funding/projects and mapping exercise vital across FSF/ACC/NHS/Police Why are statutory agencies getting Fairer Scotland money to deliver services that they already get paid to do Importance of two stage process 1) FSF Board make initial decision this spring, then extends consultation 2) more radical (restructuring, rethinking) for a year hence

Appendix 3

Fairer Scotland Fund 11-12 Project Organisation £ Employment and Training NESS Employment Service North East Sensory Services 23,476 Pathways Pathways 130,000 Subject to 6 month review ShmuFM Works Programme Station House Media Unit 10,000 Subject to 6 month review Reaching Forward WEA 29,250 Dynamic Youth WEA 5,861 Princes Trust Team Programme Aberdeen Foyer 13,000 Alternative Academy Transition Extreme 24,375 SHMU Train Initiative Station House Media Unit 34,000 Subject to 6 month review LOAN Team ACC 88,000 Income and Financial Inclusion CAB Money Advice Outreach Project Citizens Advice Bureau 84,000 Subject to 6 month review Cash In Your Pocket Partnership Team Grampian Housing 80,000 Subject to 6 month review GHA Money Adviser Grampian Housing 24,000 Subject to 6 month review North East of Scotland Credit NESCU Credit Union Access Project 41,000 Union St Machar Credit Union St Machar Credit Union 47,000 WEA Count Us In WEA 7,500 Subject to 6 month review Care and Repair Funding Officer Castlehill Housing Association 18,555 Health ACIS Youth Counselling Mental Health Aberdeen 48,000 Calsayseat Counselling Mental Health Aberdeen 34,000 FARE (Food Access Regeneration) CFINE 16,250 Give Kids A Chance Give Kids A Chance 7,096 Lifeshaper Aberdeen Foyer 5,625 Outreach Drugs Worker Tillydrone Drugs Action 4,188 Outreach Drugs Worker Torry Drugs Action 4,188 Outreach Drugs Worker Woodside Drugs Action 4,188 Pathways to Wellbeing Pathways 38,328 Torry Adult Counselling & Torry Talk Mental Health Aberdeen 42,997 Literacy Additionality for Adult Literacies ACC, Torry Learning House 8,076 Subject to 6 month review Central Team Literacy Project ACC, CLD 13,436 Subject to 6 month review Dad's Work ACC, Social Work 4,000 Healthwise Aberdeen ACC, CLD 7,816 Subject to 6 month review PEER group ACC, Family Learning 10,127 Reading Bus ACC, Education 3,000 WEA - Alternative Literacies WEA 6,500

Powis Literacy and Numeracy Powis Gateway Community Centre 5,249 Step Up To Learning ACC, CLD 10,000 Subject to 6 month review Community Safety Free To Succeed – Closing the Gaps Torry Trust 14,500 Older & Wiser Aberdeen Safer Community Trust 6,591 Street Alternatives The Cyrenians 15,819 Engaging with Street Prostitutes Grampian Police 23,296 Operation Maple Grampian Police 50,000 Neighbourhood Arts and Participation for Regen ACC 31,648 Community Media Station House Media Unit 70,000 Subject to 6 month review Feeling Great Initiative Aberdeen Lads Club 1,600 Home-Start Homestart Aberdeen 14,656 Silver City Surfers Silver City Surfers 8,013 Youth Festival Workshops Abdn International Youth Festival 1,600 Northfield Community Sports ACC 1,300 Healthy Roots Healthy Roots 3,000 Middlefield Youth Flat Middlefield Community Project 41,638 Supporting Volunteers and Under 12’s Middlefield Community Project 18,386 Seaton Community Sports ACC Active Schools 2,145 Seaton Support for Rehab/Recovery Seaton Community Project 19,274 STAR Community Flat Langstane Housing 21,362 Big Bang Drumming Group Aberdeen Lads Club 1,680 Health & Well Being Project Tillydrone Community Council 7,200 M26 Male Drop In/Activities Tillydrone Community Council 3,100 Tillydrone Childrens Drama Club Tillydrone Children Drama Club 3,500 Tillydrone Community Flat ACC, CLD 35,000 Tillydrone Community Sports ACC, Active Sports 2,700 Family Support Worker Fersands Family Centre 4,212 Feel Good Project Printfield Community Project 2,400 Printfield Community Project Printfield Community Project 27,000 Twos Group Fersands Family Centre 7,000 Youth Work Support Fersands Community Project 7,000 Alcohol (Brief Intervention) Alcohol Support 2,800 Alcohol Support Outreach Counselling Alcohol Support 8,658 Early Years Family Learning ACC, CLD 5,404 Teen Mums ACC, Torry Youth Project 8,400 Torry Community Sports ACC, Active Schools 4,963 Torry Youth Karate Club Torry Youth Karate Club 4,158 Stockethill Community Sports ACC, Active Schools 2,925

Stockethill Family Fun Activities ACC CL&D 4,480 Stockethill Step Up ACC CL&D 5,300 Volunteering in the City Aberdeen Forward 4,500 Transition Extreme Northfield Transition Extreme 3,398 Girls Allowed 2 ACC, Social Care & Wellbeing 4,505