Minishant Community Action Plan 2014 - 2019

Welcome to Minishant's Community Action Plan

This Community Action Plan lays out the community’s priorities for the development of Minishant over the next 5 years. These priorities have been established through an extensive process of community engagement carried out during 2012 and 2013 by various groups and agencies. Minishant Community Action Plan 2014—2019

This Community Action Plan is for people who live or work in and who want to plan for its future. The contents provide the results, conclusions and recommendations from various surveys which took place during 2013. The Action Plan is a statement about the type of place the community wants Straiton to be, and what needs to be done. It is also a starting point for future consultation and engagement as the community starts to address the pri- orities in this plan and on a rolling basis evaluate what has been achieved and what still needs to be addressed The Action Plan provides:

 An outline of our community profile

 A summary of our community‘s views

 A vision for the future, where the issues that matter most are priorities for action to be taken. The Action Plan will be our guide for what we as a community want to try to make happen over the next five years, laying the foundations for change over the longer term.

Minishant Community & the 21 Project

Our Community has worked with the Ayrshire 21 team, to undertake community consultations which have gathered the views of local people about their community and highlighted their interests.

The consultation work has used a variety of methods including a householder survey to find out the opinions of local people about a range of topics. Various meetings have also taken place with com- munity groups) in Minishant to ascertain their wants and needs. This process has fed into the action plan to clearly identify the needs the community has and its future aspirations and what it sees as being in need of change or improvement.

The result of this work is an Action Plan with a list of recommendations for the future of the area. This plan is shaped by our community’s comments, aspirations and the wants and needs identified through much of the consultation work over the past 2 years. It will build on all the good things that people like about Minishant.

This project has been part-financed by the Scottish Government and by the European Community Ayrshire LEADER 2007-2013 Programme, and has been supported by volunteer work within the community.

Representatives from our Community have guided the consultation process and the development of this final report and action plan. Without the help and support of members of the community in re- sponding to the consultation process, this report and action plan would not have been possible. Equalities

During the course of the consultation and engagement with this community, the consultants and oth- er partners have been mindful to consider all equality issues and carry out all of the activities inclu- sively to ensure that throughout the community, all ages, genders and themes have been considered and represented in a positive manner.

Page 2 Householder information During 2013, the Rural 21 team of community agents spent time talking to local people to get a picture of what they thought about their community. People outside the school and shop and in the residential areas were asked their opinion on a number of issues regarding Minishant. 31 people completed questionnaires along with another 11 people who were happy to discuss their community.

Survey Summary and comments

 80% of respondents stated that they felt that public areas in Minishant are generally clean and well maintained.

 40% of those who responded were concerned that the mix of housing available in Minishant does not suit the local population demands as there is very little social rented housing available and first time buyers cannot afford to purchase in Minishant. There is also concern that where older folk have a larger house they will be penalised by the so-called ‘bedroom tax’ if they cannot downsize.

 There were good comments about the importance of the school and how it is in the centre of the community.

 Most people that responded commented on how friendly Minishant is and how they enjoy the village as a peace- ful location.

 Whilst over 90% of people felt safe in the community, several people commented that they felt unsafe be- cause of the traffic on the A77. Parents particularly commented that they feel the proximity of traffic with no barriers makes a trip to the shop a scary and intimidating activity.

 Over 80% of people surveyed felt that there was little to do in Minishant, for all age groups. They commentated that the community hall is in poor condition and that the school could be used for evening classes etc.

 Suggestions for activities included: art clas- ses, more activities for under 5’s, more youth activities, more community events and more sports based activities such as a gym area, Tai Chi classes, Snooker, Carpet Bowls and a Bowling Club.

 There had been a suggestion that a social club could be formed above the Indian res- taurant. However nothing has come of this idea. Page 3 Minishant Community

Minishant is about 3 miles from on the A77. Its history depicts it as a weaving village with 2 fac- tories that specialised in blankets.

The church in Minishant was erected in the late 1800’s, in memory of the late Gloriana Mackenzie. The church is no longer a place of worship but pays homage to good Indian cuisine.

The community is welcomed into the restaurant and the school has been hosted to a Halloween party at there. There is poten- tial to use the function suite as a social space for events in Min- ishant and this needs further investigation.

Minishant is served with a small village shop which sells newspapers and groceries. There are mobile banking services and a mobile post office service.

Housing and Population in Minishant The village has grown in recent years, with new houses at the south end of the village.

The population stands at around 750 and the school role at around 45 pupils

There are 2 areas identified within the draft Local Plan that could see further development of around 120 houses which if developed would significantly alter the needs of the community in terms of infrastructure and services. At the moment there are no plans for development of either site.

Local Plan Information can be found at: http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/planning/ planlpdocuments.aspx

Page 4

Economic Development in Minishant

Minishant businesses include Spice, The Minishant Inn, Minishant Stores and Mower and Garden Tool Repairs and Services. Coupled with local agricultural businesses Minishant is economically active.

Many residents commute into Ayr, or Maybole for work and being on the A77, is an accessible commute to Glasgow by car or train (from Ayr) . Should the larger housing site be developed, there would be scope to extend the retail services or locate another shop within the new development area.

Minishant Primary School

Minishant Primary School has a steady school role of around 38 pupils and is located in the centre of the village accessed through Mure Place.

The school has an active parent council who are always looking to support the school to improve its facili- ties and equipment. The Parent Council’s latest initiative is a technology drive to fund raise for i-pads for learning. This will help class room studies as well as being a great tool for pupils with special educational needs. This would also allow the chil- dren to work with the community in 2 ways.

Firstly, by developing their skills in in- terview, video and capture for an oral history project and secondly, by having a resource within the community that could help to introduce some of the older community members to social media and note pad technology.

Both projects are intergenerational and would be ideal projects for the community to come together on.

Page 5 SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses

 Safe Community to live in  A77 routed through centre of Village

 School considered nurturing by parents  No Community Council formed  Physical state of Roads and Pavements

 Lack of volunteers for new community projects

 Village Hall in poor condition—people don't want to use it

 Community Hall at school also in poor condition

Opportunities Threats

 Set up Community Council  Any A77 Bypass delays

 Develop community projects to create come vil-  Economic downturn and local authority budget lage spirit constraints

 Utilise local community benefit funds alongside  Current traffic issues on Main Street other local and national funding to fund new projects

 Local businesses work together to attract more tourism to Minishant

Community Empowerment Bill—what it means to Communities The Scottish Government believes that its’ people are its greatest asset, and best placed to make decisions about their future. The proposed Community Empowerment () Bill aims to make the most of the talents that ex- ist in our communities; deliver high quality and improving public services; and support strong local democracy and local decision-making. It will be community organisations and volunteers, working to deliver first class public ser- vices or innovating in the private sector, who will deliver a more successful future for Scotland.

It is likely that this bill will include:  New opportunities for communities to become owners of land and buildings from the public sector, along with new legislation pertaining to the rural community right to buy  New and greater opportunities for communities to be more involved in shaping and delivering better out- comes locally  Strengthened Community planning, with public sector partners working better together for communities  New powers and legislation on rate relief schemes, allotments, defective and dangerous buildings

Community empowerment is about communities taking their own decisions about their futures. It’s about commu- nities choosing to grow and become stronger, and to improve things for their families, friends and neighbours through their own actions.

Through this bill, communities will be enabled to develop their local economies, environments and actions.

The proposed bill is under consultation at the point of going to press and the bill will be finalised in 2014 . Further information can be sought through http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0043/00437584.pdf

Page 6 Tourism and Minishant Carrick Community Councils’ Forum’s unique, community-led Tourism project has worked with over 400 members of the lo- cal community as well as local tourism businesses, to create a new brand, website and other marketing materials for Carrick, targeted towards reversing declining visitor numbers. Visitors are now encouraged to “Experience more of Scotland” through Carrick’s promotional strap line, a typographic logo and website (www.carrickayrshire.com).

This is the first time that Carrick has been given its own signature brand, as well as a place for all information on the area to be stored and easily accessed by visitors and tourists – the website includes details on the wide range of gift shops, B&Bs, restaurants, visitor attractions, outdoor activities and more available.

Marketing materials, including a quarterly newsletter and “Welcome to Carrick” booklet, have been cre- ated and are now distributed throughout the area and beyond. A key product development aspect of the project has also been the establishment of the new Carrick Community Heritage Trail.

We also want to celebrate the links we have with and and will be work- ing with Carrick Community Councils’ Forum on projects that help to promote the lives of these two most famous of Scots. Genealogy will also feature in encouraging more people to return to their roots and visit the area and their history.

Walking and Cycling are also a major reason for people to visit and stay in Carrick. We want to work with all our local accommodation businesses to ensure that they are geared up for these visitors. By promoting walking and cycling, we can encourage people to visit Minishant on public transport, cutting down on our carbon foot print whilst still being accessible. Whilst the A77 may prove daunting to even the hardiest of road cyclists, there are other pretty and testing routes through Culroy and up to Culzean or Maybole or to Straiton via . Some of these routes are arguably some of the most testing climbs and descents in the West of Scotland.

The Carrick Way

This long distance walking route has been a long time in the making. Although Minishant is not on the actual route, its local path network could join on to the proposed route and help to attract visitors to the area through this. Although work has stalled on this project over the last two years, a new partnership has been formed to take this forward with Carrick Community Councils’ Forum, Adventure Centre for Education and Ailsa Horizons.

New funds are being sought to address issues on the northern loop in which Minishant falls and also to complete the southern route that will then link to the Southern Upland Way

Page 7 Main Themes and Priorities

Theme: Priority

Community Facilities and  Improve our community facilities so that more people will Amenities want to use them

Community Groups  Set up a register of community groups in Minishant

 Set up a public meeting to discuss setting up a new Com- munity Council for Minishant  New formed Community Council adopt Action Plan and start to address priorities

People and Community Spirit  Harness our local community spirit to expand on our volun- teer activity

 Provide training and encouragement to new volunteers  Ensure our community remains vibrant and active  Ensure that our partners are working with us together to continue to maintain our community spirit and sense of place

Tourism Activity  Continue to find new ways to market our tourism offer within Minishant  Work with CCCF and the Carrick Tourism Development Project  Create marketing groups that can approach the marketing of their businesses as a group and pool resources and funds to make each marketing spend go further through joint ap- proaches  Apply for VisitScotland Challenge Funding to contribute to- wards joint marketing activities  Create an Eating Out / Food Outlet leaflet

Community Activities  Provide more activities for young people within the commu- nity  Publish list of Activities and Groups on websites and other local media  Develop inter generational history project through the school

Page 8 Who will work on this? What Resources are needed? Timescales

 Minishant Community and  Meeting time / venue  By early 2014 Groups  Capacity building within individual  Council groups to take manage community  Ailsa Horizons facilities better  VASA  Community Equipment

 Community Groups in Minishant  Meeting time / venue  By end of March  South Ayrshire Council—  Training programmes for 2014 Community Engagement Team groups  Maybole Community Council  Blue handbook for Community  Ailsa Horizons Councils

 Local individuals across all ages  Meeting time / venue  Ongoing  South Ayrshire Council—  Training programmes for Community Engagement Team volunteers  Volunteer Centre Ayr (VASA)  Blue handbook for Community Councils  Maybole Community Council  Previous experienced councillors  Ailsa Horizons to advise potential new group

 Carrick Community Councils’  Partnership working to come up  Ongoing Forum with projects and idea  New Minishant Community  Visit Scotland Challenge Funding Council  Local Funding from SAC and  Local Tourism Businesses Community Benefit Funds  Businesses networking  Printed and Digital Leaflet with distribution around the area and on local websites

 Minishant School and Parent  Equipment such as mobile climbing  Easter 2014 and Council wall, skate park ramps etc Ongoing  South Ayrshire Council  Volunteer time to update websites  Local Volunteers and social media  Local individuals of all ages  Digital recording I-pad project Page 9 Main Themes and Priorities

Theme: Priority

Countryside and Location  Ensure our Countryside is restored as per the plan of the Maybole Bypass—work with Maybole on this  Engender Civic Pride in our countryside with litter picking and tidy up campaigns  Make sure our town and local attractions are well signed to allow visitors well signed access to our town and attractions

Local Heritage and History  School and Community work together on heritage projects such as:

 Oral History

 Genealogy / reverse genealogy

 Identify heritage icon for community and add to Carrick Community Heritage Trail

Walking Trails  Work with newly formed Carrick Way Group to ensure that Minishant is included as an access point to this trail (via Car- rick Hills)

 Regular Walk Assessments around Minishant

 Community develop new local walks in conjunction with South Ayrshire Council Core Path Plan and other established walks in the area

Page 10 Who will work on this? What Resources are need- Timescales ed?

 New Minishant Community  Litter Picking Equipment—bags,  Ongoing Council grabs and HiVis clothing

 Maybole Community Council  Signs / posters / pavement stencils

 Minishant Community Groups  Litter bins and Dog bins

 Minishant Primary School  New bin location uplifts

 Transport Scotland  Transport Scotland landscape

 Amey contracts

 South Ayrshire Council (Community Safety team and Refuse teams)

 New Minishant Community Coun-  Ideas and Planning  Ongoing cil

 Local businesses

 Minishant Primary School

 Local and Community Benefit Funds

 National Funders

 Carrick Way Group  Leaflets  Ongoing

 Local Walk Volunteers  Websites

 South Ayrshire Council Paths Of-  Walk Maps

ficer  Regular Trail / Walk Assessment  Local Land Owners training and reporting

Page 11 Community Planning Partnership (CPP) The South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership was set up in 2001. It tries to improve the quality of life in South Ayrshire by bringing together the Council and other providers of public services, such as the National Health Service, with private business and community organisations, such as the Association of Community Councils and Voluntary Action South Ayrshire. Our Vision: ‘to establish South Ayrshire as the most dynamic, inclusive and sustainable community in Scotland’.

Our Strategic Outcomes:

 Economic recovery and growth

 Supporting our Children and Families

 Health Inequalities and Physical Activity

 Caring for Older People

 Safer and Stronger Communities

 Protecting and Enhancing our Environment

What We Want To Achieve In 10 Years:

 South Ayrshire has an enterprising and sustainable economy

 People in South Ayrshire are skilled, confident and successful in accessing employment

 Our children and young people in South Ayrshire have the best possible life chances

 People in South Ayrshire enjoy the best possible health and inequalities are reduced

 Older people in South Ayrshire enjoy full and positive lives within their own communities

 Communities in South Ayrshire are stronger and safer

 South Ayrshire is clean, attractive and delivering a sustainable low carbon future

Key Contacts within South Ayrshire Council South Ayrshire Council—Housing email: [email protected] Community Engagement Team Gus Collins 01292 612128 email: [email protected] Community Safety Co-ordinator Linda Warwick 01292 559403 email: [email protected] Community Planning Partnership Valerie Stewart 01292 612134 email: [email protected]

Page 12 Page 13 Making it Happen This action plan is reliant on all partners working together to make these priorities happen. We have identified the following partners who have agreed to work with the community of Maybole to ensure this action plan moves forward:

South Ayrshire’s Community Planning Partnership:  South Ayrshire Council  NHS Partnership for Transport  Skills Development Scotland  Scottish Natural Heritage  Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry   Scottish Fire and Rescue Service  Scottish Enterprise  Ayrshire College  Jobcentre Plus  Voluntary Action South Ayrshire

The South Ayrshire Community Planning Board also has two community representatives – one for the Kyle area and one for the Carrick area – and a representative from the South Ayrshire Youth Forum.

Other partners include: · New Minishant Community Council · Minishant Community Groups · Ailsa Horizons · Minishant Business Community · Transport Scotland · Amey Highways

This Community Action Plan for 2014-19 has been informed by many engagement activities, consultations and strategic activities within the local area. It provides a robust context for the community to determine prior- ity actions with realistic timeframes.

Some of themes and priorities are currently aspirational in nature without necessarily spelling out the fine detail of what could be achieved. This is inevitable given how reliant the community is on volunteers and the need to build up relationships with funding and other delivery partners.

Ailsa Horizons will work with the community after the publication of this Action Plan to produce a more de- tailed Delivery Plan to define actions and projects that will be taken forward over the coming year as starting projects from this plan.

One of the first actions will be to establish either a new Community Council or a Steering Group to help to steer this action plan. This group will seek regular progress reports from any of the groups responsible for an action. Progress will then be reported to the wider community through local newsletters and websites.

We will work with South Ayrshire Council’s Community Engagement Team, Voluntary Action South Ayrshire and Ailsa Horizons to produce a list of training and capacity building needs that will be addressed over time, so that Minishant community groups are best able to carry out the actions within this plan. And we will call on the resources available from those organisations to help move our plans forwards.

Page 14 Our Councillors Ward 7 - Kyle

Sandra Goldie Scottish Labour Party

Home Tel: 01292 570054 Office Tel: 01292 612293 Email: [email protected]

" The Ayrshire 21 project aims to help communities develop plans that highlight their wants and needs. These plans can then be used to evidence requests for action and to help to develop projects further. I think that this is a good idea as it has made communities come together and think about a longer term view of their community"

Ann Galbraith Scottish Conservative and Unionist Home Tel: 01655 740447 Office Tel: 01292 612687

Email: [email protected]

“I fully support the work done towards these action plans, in particular, by the work done by Julia Whitaker and the Ayrshire 21 team. There has been good feedback and re- sponse from the communities of Carrick which have been visited regularly to answer questions and give advice. Communities are aware of the benefits of these action plans which communities must now follow up to their advantage.”

Brian Connolly Independent Mobile Tel: 07970540591 Office Tel: 01292 612274 Email: [email protected]

"The Ayrshire 21 project has presented an opportunity for local villages to look at their long term aspirations and needs in a way that they will be able to develop over the com- ing years. With the forthcoming community empowerment bill, communities will need to be organised and strong to achieve the aspirations they have and take advantage of op- portunities that will come as a result of this new bill"

William Grant Scottish National Party Mobile Tel: 07794037597 Office Tel: 01292 612479 Email: [email protected]

“Having carefully considered the brief produced in 2013, I fully endorse the local action plans which provide communities with evidence of need and a mandate from the commu- nity to address priorities and projects. The Ayrshire 21 project has clearly brought com- munities together, highlighted common issues, objectives. Working together to address these actions can only be positive for our local communities. I wholeheartedly lend my support and wish everyone involved every success.” Page 15 Funding Sources

When considering grant aid, the following table lists the potential sources of funding under which applica- tions may have some probability of success. As with all aspects of grant aid there can be no guarantees that any applications will be successful, particularly given the current financial climate. Funding Description Likely Possible Source Big Lottery Funds: Investing in £500—£10,000 for development of feasibility planning and testing ideas Yes Ideas Awards for All £500—£10,000—General support for all activities Yes Communities £500—£10,000—Giving Young children(0-8) the best start in life Yes and Families 2014 Up to £2,000 to encourage new participants in physical activity Yes Communities

£10,00—£50,000 towards helping young people (8-24) become more healthy, connected, confident, enterprising. Could be used to support Young Start Yes marketing, organising, assisting in civic events. Also potential to host specific aspects of sports development for young people.

£500 - £10,000 Celebrate Support for events/activities celebrating the Commonwealth Games. Could be Yes linked to the development of new activities

The Scottish Land Fund is aimed at supporting rural communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets. It will provide practical support and funding to enable local people to work together to develop their ideas and aspirations, put in place effective structures and plan and complete viable land and land asset The Scottish acquisition projects. Yes Land Fund All projects must address outcome 1 where rural communities achieve increased sustainable economic, social and environmental development through the experience of acquiring, owning and managing land and land assets; Funding is available to eligible projects for up to 95% from £10,000 to £750,000.

Investing in Communities

Supporting st 21 Century £10,000 - £1,000,000 Yes Life

Life £10,000 - £1,000,000 Yes Transitions

Growing Community £10,000 - £1,000,000 Yes Assets Improve local support for people experiencing hardship. Supports: · welfare advice Yes Support and · financial skills training and services

Connect · action to address food poverty · provision of clothing and household goods · action to address fuel poverty Page 16 Funding Description Likely Possible Source Other Funds:

The National Agency for Sport has a number of capital and revenue funding Sportscotland streams available in relation to sports facility provision and redevelopment Yes Sportscotland £10,000 to £100,000 Legacy 2014 Improvement to physical infrastructure to support more people taking part in Yes Active Places sport. This could be used to support developments in the games hall and the Fund gym, e.g. construction of an indoor climbing wall Various grant strands up to £150,000 Creative Development of civic performances and events, involvement of young people Scotland Yes and development of sustainable arts programmes. Up to £10,000 per group or £30,000 per Cluster Voluntary Creating new volunteer projects, increasing diversity of volunteers. Men’s Shed Action Fund Yes development may be suitable project or marketing initiatives Historic Scotland provides a number of grant and funding schemes to support bodies and individuals in the protection, education and promotion of the historic environment. Historic Decisions on grants are made on information gained from extensive public con- Yes Scotland sultation, and are also influenced by the extent to which projects deliver benefits for communities, promote quality, develop knowledge and skills and build ca- pacity for local heritage management. Grants are offered across 9 different categories. The Climate Challenge Fund is being supported by an alliance of partners from Keep Scotland key organisations and networks throughout Scotland, who bring expertise and Beautiful experience of community-level interventions. Applicants must own their facilities and local authorities cannot apply. Yes The Climate £150,000 per project till March 2016 Challenge Development Grants £750 for disadvantaged communities Fund

Up to 50% funding covering all rural Ayrshire. Examples of what can be funded: Ayrshire LEAD- Yes feasibility studies, business plans, options appraisals, environmental ER 2014 - improvements, visitor/tourist facilities, promotion and marketing, materials and 2020 equipment, events, training and professional fees.

South Ayrshire Funding for training, bid preparation or professional assistance, to help improve Community communities. Developing feasibility studies, action plans, engaging with local Yes Development communities, professional assistance to prepare funding bids. Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) offers grants to sustain and transform heritage sites and related projects. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment Heritage and cultural traditions HLF invest in every part of Britain’s diverse heritage. Yes Lottery Fund HLF offer a range of grant programmes, awarding grants upwards of £3,000. They want to support innovative as well as tried-and-tested approaches, and welcome proposals that are pioneering in concept and delivery. Up to 10% of capital costs and up to 3 years funding of salaries and running

Robertson costs

Trust Revenue funding to allow activities to be developed in a more sustainable Yes fashion. Wind Farm Community Available mainly in South Carrick although some funds support North Carrick Yes Benefit Funds

Various small grant bodies, e.g. Tesco Community Fund, Coop Community Fund, Lloyds TSB Foundation, etc.

Page 17

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the community of Minishant, and the community groups within Minishant that have fed into this pro- cess, for their help in putting together this action plan. All age ranges from within the community have had the opportunity to feed into this process and have their views reflected within this plan.

Implementation and Feedback

The Community Action Plan represents the end of one process, (capturing the views of the community and compiling recommendations) and the start of another - the implementation phase.

The recommendations within this plan need to be acted upon to realise the improvements to the quality of life that have been identified. It is your community that will drive these actions forward, supported by partners and other agencies. The main community groups that have fed into this Action Plan with ideas and actions will be able to draw on expertise of regeneration, community de- velopment, and economic development specialists within South Ayrshire Council, VASA and Ailsa Horizons to further develop and carry out their plans.

The local residents and groups within Minishant who have been directly involved in the Action Planning process now invite other residents to review these results and conclusions. Through this Action Plan, you are sure to gain a better understanding of the issues of concern to your community and we would welcome your comments on the analysis and any new insights.

Further information on how this action plan was put together can be found through

Ailsa Horizons on 01465 710628