This is the Community Plan for Banff & Buchan. It sets out the Banff & Buchan Community Planning Partnership’s main actions for the next two years. If you have difficulty understanding this document and require a translation, or would like a copy in a larger print, please contact the Banff & Buchan Area Manager on 01261 813300. Contents

1 Foreword ...... 2 2 Executive Summary ...... 4 3 Background...... 5 4 The Banff and Buchan Area...... 6 5 PESTELO...... 8 6 Developing the Plan ...... 19 7 Banff and Buchan Priorities 2013 – 2016 Single Outcome Agreement...... 20 8 Actions/Outcomes ...... 20 9 How Are We Doing?...... 32 1 Foreword

by Margaret-Jane Cardno, Area Manager Banff and Buchan Chair Banff and Buchan Local Community Planning Group

Dear Colleagues

Welcome to the Banff and Buchan Community Plan for 2013 – 2016.

The Local Community Planning Group has been an important focus in the area for joint working around the themes of: • Jobs and The Economy • Community Wellbeing • Lifelong Learning and Leisure • Sustainable Environment • Developing Our Partnership The Local Community Planning Group continue to grow and the development of this plan is the next step as partners seek to build on positive local relationships in order to increase the focus on prevention and secure continuous improvement in public service delivery. The shared overall aim is to achieve better outcomes and improve the quality of life for the residents of Banff and Buchan.

Communities have high expectations of public services and have a key role to play in helping to shape and deliver better outcomes within their communities.

It is the aim of the Local Community Planning Group to unlock that potential by continuing to work with communities to build a strong understanding of their needs and aspirations.

A significant part of this plan relates to ensuring effective involvement not just of the public sector but also of the private and third sectors in order to ensure communities are appropriately empowered to enable them to meet their long term vision and aspirations.

BANFF & BUCHAN Margaret-Jane Cardno COMMUNITY Chair of the BBCPG PLAN Area Manager (Banff & Buchan) 2013 – 2016 Aberdeenshire Council 2 BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 33 2 Executive Summary

This edition of the Banff and Buchan Community Plan 2013 – 2016 brings together input from Community Planning Partners, Elected Members and most importantly local communities. It outlines key actions to be taken to meet local needs and priorities over a three year period and therefore is a key strategic document for the area.

In order to achieve the Partners vision of the best quality of life for everyone in Banff and Buchan, this edition of the Banff and Buchan Community Plan focuses on the following set of long term outcomes to be delivered for local communities: • Successful, inclusive and resilient communities with the confidence, capability and capacity to tackle the things that matter to them • Children have the best start in life through action with parents and children pre- birth to 8 years • Reductions in inequalities in health outcomes between communities and across Aberdeenshire • Aberdeenshire is the safest place in Scotland • Older people will live independent, healthier lives for longer in a homely environment, in a community which respects and values them, with informal carers who receive support to continue to care • Transport • Aberdeenshire will be recognised as a great place to live, work, invest with opportunity for all

For each of these high-level outcomes, the Partnership has identified a range of supporting outcomes, outputs and actions.

These were developed through the use of an evidence-based approach and a strategic assessment highlighting the priorities for Banff and Buchan was undertaken. This can be found at:

http://www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk/images/media/documentlibrary/lcp/strategic%20 assessment%20banff%20and%20buchan%20final%20version.pdf

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 4 3 Background

The Banff and Buchan Community Plan 2013 – 2016 has been developed to provide a strategy for delivering key partnership actions for the next three years which meet the Banff and Buchan Community Planning Groups priority outcomes.

The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) reviewed community planning and Single Outcome Agreements (SOA’s) in 2012. They then published a statement of ambition; this ensures Community Planning is at the heart of public service reform. A national group has been set up to help implement and communicate the overarching vision of Community Planning and Single Outcome Agreements, identifying issues that have a national dimension.

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN Pennan Fraserburgh Community and Sports Centre 2013 – 2016 5 4 The Banff and Buchan Area

Banff and Buchan has a population of 35,277 and is expected to rise slightly to 35,610 by 2016. The three main settlements in Banff and Buchan are Fraserburgh (12,451), Banff (3,990) and Macduff (3,724), the Area has seen an increasing and aging population, this provides unique challenges in delivering services. Fraserburgh and Banff/Macduff are the area’s two most significant destinations.

Banff and Buchan is more self-contained than other Areas in Aberdeenshire with 72% of the working population working within the area. The economy remains largely based on the traditional industries of fishing and agriculture. In June 2012 there were an estimated 598 unemployed persons in the Banff and Buchan Area which is 2.7% of Aberdeenshire’s jobless. The Area has a higher level of anti-social behaviour complaints and more environmental problems. In addition most complaints about drug dealing are concentrated in the North coastal areas. The prevalence of certain aspects of anti-social behaviour has declined and the Community Planning Partnership are actively working towards continuing to reduce these figures through local diversionary projects and task groups set up to address anti-social behaviour. The area has a relatively low rate of homelessness compared with the rest of Aberdeenshire. In the Banff and Buchan area 91.7% of school leavers go onto a positive destination, this is higher than the Aberdeenshire average of 91.3% and the Scottish average of 88.8%. This can be broken down further to 92.2% going onto, positive destinations from Banff Academy and 95.0% from Fraserburgh Academy.

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 Aberchirder Macduff 6 Public facilities include the new Community and Sports Centre in Fraserburgh, which opened in March 2013. New sports facilities are now under development for Banff and Macduff. These will be delivered in line with the development of a new Tesco store on Banff’s Canal Park. The town centres within Fraserburgh, Banff and Macduff have been highlighted as a priority issue and these areas will see significant investment over the next few years. Banff and Buchan is widely known for having some of the most dramatic coastlines in Aberdeenshire.

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN Rosehearty Hay bales near Cornhill 2013 – 2016 7 5 PESTELO

Banff and Buchan Anticipate – Plan – Transform

In order that our communities are ready to meet the challenges of the next decade we must consider some of the long term issues and challenges in order that we can support communities to plan effectively and respond appropriately.

Political 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum

Scotland’s Independence Referendum will be held on 18 September 2014. Around 4 million voters, set to include 16 and 17 year olds for the first time in a major poll, will be asked a single six word question: “Should Scotland become an independent country?”

It is not appropriate within the context of this document to make predictions about the likelihood of independence coming to pass, however it is worthwhile clarifying that a crucial factor that will affect Scotland’s future is whether all powers are taken by a Scottish administration or whether some will remain reserved at Westminster.

It is very difficult to accurately predict the future of an independent Scotland as opposed to the future of a Scotland within the UK, but an example may serve to illustrate the point. Some have argued that an independent Scottish government could use the remaining revenues from the North Sea Oil to invest in turning Scotland into the renewable energy hub of Europe. Whether or not an independent Scottish government would opt for this strategy will remain for the present a topic of pure conjecture, but it could not be opted for under the current arrangements, as energy policy is at present largely a reserved matter.

Post 16 Education Reform (Regionalisation of Colleges)

On the 1 February 2012 Education Secretary Michael Russell announced that Colleges would work more collaboratively within 12 regions, allowing them to plan regionally and deliver locally.

One of the 12 regions is Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire which comprises of Aberdeen and BANFF & Banff and Buchan Colleges. In this region the existing incorporated college boards will merge BUCHAN to create a new regional board to plan college provision strategically across the region and to COMMUNITY be held to account for the delivery of regional outcomes. The aim will be to maintain a local presence across all of the existing campuses. Learners who currently attend Fraserburgh or PLAN any of the outlying centres will continue to do so. 2013 – 2016 8 A new Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce will look closely at the links between Curriculum for Excellence, Post 16 education and employers.

The Commission will look at routes into work after school and the success of programmes such as modern apprenticeships before making recommendations to enhance the current reform programmes in 2014. There is an opportunity for Banff and Buchan to influence this commission and highlight a number of area specific issues.

Shared Services

Collaboration and integration of services are key elements of the Scottish Governments Public Service Reform and efficiency agendas. The Government expect the majority of efficiency gains to be delivered by best business practice and business process improvement, better use of public assets, improved collaborative working and much wider application of Shared Services: ensuring that value is added in all end-to-end business processes and eliminating non-value added activities.

In response to the Christie Commission Report the Government stated that they will reform our public services through a decisive shift towards prevention; greater integration at a local level driven by better partnership, workforce development and a sharper, more transparent focus on performance. In Banff and Buchan there is an opportunity for public services to challenge themselves to work collaboratively, including engaging in sharing services.

Economic

Within Banff and Buchan the economy remains largely based on fishing and agriculture and the Area is eligible for European Union funding due to its high dependency upon these traditional economic sectors. In recent years, major investment has taken place to upgrade port facilities at Macduff and Fraserburgh. Fraserburgh continues to be a key centre for fish landings and processing, and Macduff is a boat building and repair centre. The Area has a palpable sense of history and marketable tourism assets in its spectacular coastline, attractive coastal villages and visitor attractions.

The rate of income deprivation in Banff and Buchan is 11.6%, which is higher than the Aberdeenshire average of 7%. This is due to Banff and Buchan having a higher proportion of the most deprived datazones within the Aberdeenshire area. The rate of income deprivation is lower than the Scottish average of 13%. The rate of income deprivation is almost 2 times higher in the most deprived parts of Banff and Buchan than the remainder of the area.

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is a new road being developed to improve travel in and around Aberdeen and the North-east of Scotland. When complete it will bring many benefits to the area – economic, environmental and road safety.

The AWPR is one of a number of transport projects planned to help improve road safety and accessibility, reduce congestion and grow the local economy – ensuring the North East BANFF & remains a competitive business location. These include the A90 Balmedie – Tipperty duelling BUCHAN scheme which is being developed by Transport Scotland. COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 9 Regeneration

Since 2010 the Aberdeenshire Council’s main efforts on regeneration have been focused on three Regeneration Priority Areas (RPAs) in the coastal areas of Buchan, Banff and Buchan and part of Kincardine & Mearns. They were identified as areas of need through the Scottish Indices of Multiple Deprivation and from previous economic impacts like the decline of the fishing fleet. The Scottish Government introduced ‘Achieving a Sustainable Future’, its own regeneration strategy in 2011 so the Local Authority now believe it is time to take a fresh look and develop a long-term Strategy through to 2025.

Aberdeenshire is a large and diverse area and the needs of communities vary from place to place. Virtually all parts of Aberdeenshire would benefit from some form of regeneration whether social, economic or physical. However, with finance and other resources difficult to come by it makes sense to use them as carefully as possible. Having assessed what has been achieved and what is required the Local Authority are now looking to focus on a single place namely Fraserburgh.

There is a need for regeneration in many places, especially across North Aberdeenshire, but evidence such as the Scottish Indices of Multiple Deprivation (2012) indicates that Fraserburgh struggles to improve. The town centre has suffered more than most and there is a continued need to develop and diversify the economy.

Fresh Start Initiative

On 1 April 2013, the Scottish Government introduced a new relief whereby occupiers can apply for a 50% rates discount for the first year of occupation of some previously long term empty shops or offices. This offer will be made regardless of intention or future use.

Aberdeen Airport Expansion

An ambitious multi-million pound blueprint to develop Aberdeen Airport over the next 30 years has been unveiled. Highlights include a £100 million capital investment plan over the next two decades, major refurbishment of the terminal building, space for further runway expansion as demand requires it, and a 40% rise in passenger numbers by 2040.

Around 1,100 jobs could be created as a result of future development.

Forecasts: • Passenger numbers are forecast to rise from 3.1 million in 2011 to 4 million in 2020 and 5.09 million in 2040. • The number of air transport movements is forecast to grow from 97,600 in 2011 to 109,200 in 2020 and 119,800 in 2040. • Cargo is expected to grow significantly, with tonnage increasing from 6,200 in 2011 to 8,400 in 2020 and 9,200 in 2040.

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 10 Future investment in the airport’s infrastructure is also likely to generate a substantial economic dividend for the region. It follows a recent study which shows that the recently completed £10 million runway extension is expected to generate millions of pounds for the regional economy and provide a significant boost for inbound tourism. The study found that the new runway extension will: • Generate an additional 205,000 passengers by 2015 • Contribute £20.3 million for the city and shire economy by 2015 • Lead to as many as 30,000 extra visitors to the region every year, spending up to £6.4 million annually Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd (MORL)

MORL is 75% owned by Portugal’s EDP Renewables and 25% owned by Aberdeen based SeaEnergy Renewables.

MORL won the exclusive rights to develop wind farm sites within Moray Firth Zone 1 which is located just outside the 12 nautical mile Scottish Territorial Waters limit on the Smith Bank, about 13.5 miles / 22 Km from the Caithness coast and covering an area of 520.3 Km2. The eastern area would be developed first, with projections for around 200 x 5 – 8 MW turbines, totalling over 1,000 MW, which could produce enough power for around 779,000 homes.

Supply Chain Development: The development of offshore wind energy brings significant new markets and opportunities to Scotland and the

UK Offshore wind energy is a new industry, requiring the development of new activities and a new supply chain.

In order to assist in maximising the potential local content through the development of the local supply chain Moray Offshore Renewables is working with the Scottish Government Energy Division, Highlands and Island Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise to develop a ‘pilot’ scheme to enable the enterprise agencies to access appropriate parts of the Project’s procurement process.

The pilot will take the form of frequent and regular engagement between Moray Offshore Renewable and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise. Although in its early stages, the intention is to allow partnership working between the public and private sector to facilitate the optimisation of support to the supply chain.

Because of the strategic location of its ports, there are opportunities which exist in offshore wind for companies within Banff and Buchan looking to develop within this market.

Healthier Working Lives

In Banff and Buchan employers are likely to face increasing competition to attract and retain high quality staff. This may be further exacerbated in some sectors by the need to compete for talent in an international market against employers reacting to similar pressures in other advanced economies. BANFF & BUCHAN The focus of Healthier Working Lives is to work with employers to enable them to under- COMMUNITY stand, protect and improve the health of their employees. This also means they will be better placed to support those with health problems who have re-entered work, to remain in work. PLAN 2013 – 2016 11 Social Romanian and Bulgarian Immigration

From January 2014, under European ‘freedom of movement rules’, Bulgaria and Romania will gain the right to come to Britain to live and work. As there are currently 1.5 million people seeking work in these two countries, we may possibly see migration to Scotland. Potentially, this would put additional pressure on housing, infrastructure, schools, health care and our benefits system.

Health Inequalities

Reducing health inequalities is vital to achieving sustainable economic growth. If Banff and Buchan is to live up to its potential in terms of economic success, healthy life expectancy must increase – particularly among those whose lives are currently cut short due to deprivation or other inequalities.

The SOA guidance (Dec 2012) has stipulated national priorities to be included in all local SOAs for the first time and this includes “health inequalities and physical activity”. It is complex to identify outcomes and actions for the health inequalities and physical activity priority because action regarding early years/ best start in life and employment are key strands towards reducing inequalities. Therefore, key outcomes and actions over and above these areas will need to be identified.

Alcohol and Other Drugs

Banff and Buchan continues to face deep-seated issues due to problematic use of alcohol and other drugs that directly and indirectly threaten the wellbeing and economic prospects of the area.

These problems are compounded by the rural nature of the area, making provision of a wide range of accessible services difficult to deliver; our relative affluence reducing affordability barriers that might otherwise prevent problems developing; and pockets of poverty and exclusion which are closely aligned with problematic use of alcohol and other drugs.

We use the term ‘alcohol and other drugs’ to emphasise that, at an Aberdeenshire level, alcohol causes more harm than other drugs, although for the individual, any addiction can have devastating consequences. In view of our legal and cultural framework, alcohol may seem by some to be less of a problem than drugs; this is not the case. Over the past 50 years, alcohol consumption has doubled and so has alcohol-related harm such that the World Health Organisation considers alcohol the third biggest risk factor for ill-health.

The Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership are involved in making suggestions to the Licensing Board in changes to Licensing. It is suggested that partners could assist in the process, as the licensing board are revising their policy statement which is due in November 2013. BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 12 Increasing Older Population

Within Banff and Buchan older people form an increasing proportion of our population, and will play an increasingly important role in the areas prosperity and future.

The skills and life experience of older people are an asset and Banff and Buchan should benefit from its changing age profile. Too often, population ageing has been seen in negative terms, with the emphasis on an increasing burden on health and social care services, rather than on the value that older people bring.

However, there is also no doubt that an ageing population brings challenges and key areas of significant pressure include the sectors of Health and Social Care and Housing.

Technological Broadband

Improved digital connectivity and faster broadband speeds are a necessity to ensure economic growth across the region. Increasingly there are problems running businesses in areas where broadband services are slow or limited. High speed broadband clearly opens up the potential for a range of economic activity that can contribute to rural economic growth. Access to high speed broadband can also allow communities to explore creative opportunities for community service delivery and can also open up new opportunities for private service providers.

At present, 17% of all addresses in Aberdeenshire have no broadband connection and 80% cannot achieve speeds greater than 6Mbps, significantly lower than the national average of 9Mbps cited by Ofcom.

Aberdeenshire Council has already set aside £18 million to address the issue and in early 2013 stated a campaign across the area to win funding from the Scottish Government.

Scotland’s Digital Future A Strategy For Scotland

Building on the establishment of the Christie Commission on the Future delivery of public services in 2010, the Scottish Government published a paper entitled “Scotland’s Digital Future A Strategy For Scotland” in 2011. The paper sets out the actions required to achieve this future delivery model.

This paper and the complementary “Scotland’s Digital Future: Delivery of Public Services” rely upon digital channel shift approaches. This trend is reflected nationally with aspects of Welfare Reform and returns to HMRC heavily dependent on on-line returns and submissions.

Social Media

The increase in broadband take-up and use of mobile phones to access the internet in has been accompanied by a sharp and significant increase in use of social networking sites. BANFF & Ofcom now report that 49% of all adults in Scotland use social networking sites. BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 13 National Strategy for Public Space CCTV in Scotland

The purpose of this strategy, published in 2011, is to help partners deliver more effectively around the existing legal framework for CCTV. The aim of this strategy is to facilitate a more strategic approach to CCTV development and management, in order to deliver safer communities more efficiently.

CCTV can make a positive contribution to community safety and wellbeing by: helping the local authority to deliver community safety outcomes; providing the Police with effective information in relation to criminal and other activities provides the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service with evidence in relation to prosecutions which can help secure early guilty pleas. Through this, CCTV can also help reduce costs and increase efficiencies around trials, so benefitting the Scottish Court Service as well.

Environmental Fuel Poverty

Fuel poverty is a particular issue with 31% Aberdeenshire homes judged as being in fuel poverty in the Scottish Household Condition Survey, 2010 (31,000 households).

Fuel poverty also affects the older population more than younger counterparts because they may have less income as they are not in employment, spend more time at home and require a warmer temperature to stay healthy and safe. Fuel poverty is linked to increased risk of ill health, particularly due to exacerbation of diseases such as influenza, heart disease and other respiratory diseases.

Climate Change

Climate change is a serious environmental threat to Scotland and will be one of the main drivers of future change. The 1999 Climate Change Scoping Study identified a number of direct and indirect impacts at a local level including increased temperatures and greater rainfall, which will result in more frequent flooding and will impact on critical infrastructure (roads, electricity generation, water and sewerage treatment and transport networks).

Changing climatic conditions could result in heavier more intense rainfall and rising sea levels, leading to more frequent and serious flooding events.

Flooding

Several areas within Aberdeenshire have suffered severe flooding over recent years, the worst hit being Stonehaven and Huntly. The health, social and economic impacts of major floods are devastating, affecting people’s physical and mental health and disrupting and dispersing communities. The severe flooding causes damage too many homes and businesses, and can leave people homeless for months, while homes are dried out and renovations completed. Even when the ‘recovery’ phase is over, there may be difficulties caused by living with BANFF & the ongoing risk, obtaining and paying for insurance and the effect on house prices and BUCHAN community cohesion. COMMUNITY PLAN The high cost of relief and recovery may adversely impact investment in infrastructure and 2013 – 2016 other development activities in the area. Recurrent flooding in a region may discourage 14 longterm investments by the government and private sector alike. Lack of livelihoods, combined with migration of skilled labour and inflation may have a negative impact on a region’s economic growth. Loss of resources can lead to high costs of goods and services, delaying its development programmes.

Scotlands Zero Waste Plan

Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for a zero waste society. This vision describes a Scotland where all waste is seen as a resource; Waste is minimised; valuable resources are not disposed of in landfills, and most waste is sorted, leaving only limited amounts to be treated.

To achieve this vision the Plan sets out radical new measures, including separate collections of specific waste types, including food, to avoid contaminating other materials, increasing reuse and recycling opportunities and contributing to our renewable energy targets.

Transport

The nature of deprivation in rural Aberdeenshire is perceived by the majority of people as an issue of access and transport. The difficulty of accessing employment education, services and events, combined with the high costs and inflexibility of public sector and community transport represent the two most overriding problems for rural communities and households. This is particularly the case for those on low income and those without private cars.

Legislative Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012

The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 established the Police Service of Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on 1 April 2013.

It is the aspiration of the Act to bring local services to the heart of communities. There will be designated local senior officers at the centre of a new, strong relationship between Local Authorities and the services, and a statutory duty to provide adequate local police and fire services.

Local Authorities will approve plans for their area and Elected Members will have more involvement than under the previous arrangements. The services will be independent, with no operational control by Ministers, but subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.

UK Welfare Reform Act 2012

The UK Welfare Reform Act 2012 will introduce significant changes to the welfare system. The Act will have an impact on services delivered by local authorities such as Health, Social Care and Housing.

There are significant concerns regarding the impact of these reforms on people and services in Banff and Buchan, these include changes to the benefits of disabled people which may BANFF & risk their right to independent living and that the ‘cumulative impact’ of welfare reforms BUCHAN could force some people out of their homes. A reduction in benefit could result in some COMMUNITY households becoming de-stabilised, presenting community safety and anti-social behaviour issues, an increase in child poverty and homelessness. PLAN 2013 – 2016 15 Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012

The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 was passed in June 2012 and will pave the way for the introduction of a preferred minimum price of 50p per unit. This policy is designed to tackle Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Given the link between consumption and harm and evidence that affordability is one of the drivers of increased consumption, addressing price is considered to be an important element of any long-term strategy.

The earliest date for implementation of the minimum price is 2013. Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill

The proposed Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill will support communities to achieve their own goals and aspirations through taking independent action and by having their voices heard in the decisions that affect their area.

In June 2012 the Scottish Government launched an exploratory consultation on a range of ideas for the proposed Bill designed to: • Strengthen community participation • Unlock enterprising community development; and • Renew our communities. The outcomes from this consultation will inform the development of a draft Bill to be consulted on in 2013.

Driving a Minibus – (D1) – Licence Entitlement

If you first passed your car driving test before 1st January 1997, you will probably automatically have entitlement to drive a minibus on a not-for-profit basis.

If you first passed your car driving test after 1st January 1997, you can only drive a minibus under certain restricted situations: • At least 21 years old • Held full licence for minimum of 2 years • Not tow a trailer • Drive on a Voluntary Basis • Maximum vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes (4.25 tonnes if fitted with passenger lift or ramp)

Within the next five years, any individual under the age of 40 will need to take a D1 test before they can drive such a bus, this will seriously reduce the available pool of volunteers willing to keep youth groups, services for the elderly, sports clubs, etc., functioning.

Obtaining a D1 license is not easy with tuition, test and travel, costs circa £1k per person. There is also little availability in this area for tuition and test centres and the D1 test tends to BANFF & be delivered by organisations geared to HGV and full size coach training. BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 16 Organisational Public Sector Reform

Scotland’s public sector is operating in tough financial conditions. In coming years, public bodies will face: • ongoing economic and financial pressures • rising demands for, and expectations of, public services • potential structural and constitutional change. It is inevitable that the demand for public services will rise during periods of economic downturn and this invariably puts strain on public finances.

The Public Sector Reform (Scotland) Act aims to simplify and improve Scotland’s public services.

The Scottish Governments approach to meeting this challenge requires all public services to drive reform at a pace across mainstream services. All partners will prioritise action around four pillars: Prevention; Performance; People and Partnership.

Scottish Government is committed to creating the conditions for reform, to minimising systemic barriers to it and to supporting partners to improve the lives of local people.

Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland conduct reviews of the external boundaries of local authority area

The Commission expect to begin their Fifth General Review of local government electoral arrangements in Scotland in 2013, and to report on those reviews by 2016 so that the resulting wards are available for the local government elections in Scotland which are planned for 2017. This review will determine the appropriate number of Councillors for each council area.

Integration of Health and Social Care

The Scottish Government plan to integrate adult health and social care. Community Health Partnerships will be replaced by Health and Social Care Partnerships. Health and Social Care Partnerships will be the joint responsibility of the NHS and Local Authority, and will work in partnership with the third and independent sectors.

NHS Boards and Local Authorities will be required to produce integrated budgets for older people’s services to bring an end to the ‘cost-shunting’ that currently exists. The role of clinicians and social care professionals in the planning of services for older people will be strengthened.

A smaller proportion of resources – money and staff – will be directed towards institutional care and more resources will be invested in community provision. This will mean creating BANFF & new or different job opportunities in the community. This is in line with the commitment BUCHAN to support people to stay at home or in another homely setting, remaining as independent COMMUNITY as possible, for as long as possible. The Change Fund for older people’s services is already PLAN helping to deliver these improvements. 2013 – 2016 17 6 Developing the Plan

This plan has been developed using a variety of methods including the PESTELO exercise as detailed previously, statistical information highlighted from the Banff and Buchan Community Planning Strategic Assessment and through joint meetings and discussions with the Community Planning Partners, Elected Members and the Area Management Team.

The Banff and Buchan Community Planning Group will monitor the plan every six months and both the Banff and Buchan Area Committee and the Banff and Buchan Area Management Team will be involved in the process.

Additionally the Banff and Buchan Local Community Planning Group will carry out an annual review of the plan every year to ensure it remains relevant for the people of Banff and Buchan.

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 18 7 Banff and Buchan Priorities 2013 – 2016 Single Outcome Agreement

The Single Outcome Agreement is a plan for everybody in Aberdeenshire over the next 10 years. It sets out what we will do together to make Aberdeenshire a better place. It sets out the outcomes, actions and resources that will be used to take forward a number of local and national priorities.

The Banff and Buchan Community Plan outcomes link in with the Single Outcome Agreement.

The Local Community Planning Group recognises that regeneration is a priority issue for Banff and Buchan, specifically the physical regeneration of town centres.

The Community Plan is designed to support regeneration and place making agendas, specifically social regeneration. It is designed to improve the communities and neighbourhoods within Banff and Buchan by supporting; community engagement, urban master planning, neighbourhood management, research and evaluation and training.

The Plan recognises that social and community issues require specific attention and there is an important focus on capacity building. However, the Local Community Planning Group recognise there is a significant role for physical and economic regeneration and therefore the Plan complements other work streams including the work by HRI Architects on the redevelopment of town centres and Aberdeenshire Councils New Regeneration Strategy.

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 19 8 Actions/Outcomes

1) Successful, inclusive, resilient commuities with the confidence, capability and capacity to tackle things that matter

Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 1.1 Community Planning Community 31 March 2016 Successful, inclusive To develop a partner Matrix Production stakeholders, with a commitment Learning & and resilient matrix that will clearly 10% Increase in to supporting and building, Development communities with the show communities, support provided confident, skilled, influential and Bridge CVS confidence, capability individuals, groups to community active communities in Banff & Fraserburgh and capacity to tackle and partners what groups Buchan. Development Trust things that matter to services and support Banffshire them. is available Partnership

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 20 Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 1.2 From March 2013 to March Fraserburgh 31 March 2014 Reduce inequalities Transform a vacant Establish a 2014, develop and establish Development Trust in health outcomes site into a Community Community a Community Garden within Community Health between Garden to help Garden, Fraserburgh, with the aim to Development communities. promote health and maintained and promote health and wellbeing Officer wellbeing, to improve operated by the through an outdoor learning adult cooking skills Community for space. and volunteering a self sustaining opportunities in the Comm. Project Fraserburgh. 1.3 A rolling programme of Banff and Buchan 31 March 2016 Increased Communities, groups 31 March 2014 community engagement events, Comm. Planning participation - and individuals will 3 engagement conversations and focus groups, Partners supporting people to be able to influence events facilitated by all Banff & Buchan take part in decision- and reach Community Community Planning partners, making. Planning partners 31 March2015 which will encourage a two way through the year. +4 engagement flow of information through events engagement events between communities and Community 31 March 2016 Planning Partners. +4 engagement events 1.4 To implement a series of joint Banff and Buchan 31 March 2016 More effective Three events will 31 March 2014 planning meetings with the Local Local Community partnership working be held per annum, 3 engagement Community Planning Group, Planning Group - ensuring resources, to ensure joint events Aberdeenshire Council’s Banff varied skills and accountability and Aberdeenshire 31 March 2015 and Buchan Area Management capabilities are used ownership of the Council (Chief +3 engagement BANFF & Team and Banff and Buchan Area effectively. Banff and Buchan Executive’s Service) events Committee to ensure community Community Plan. BUCHAN plans are aspirational yet 31 March 2016 COMMUNITY outcome focused. +3 engagement PLAN events 2013 – 2016 21 Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 1.5 To organise a community led Banff and Buchan 31 March 2016 Successful, inclusive Organise a biannual September scheme to undertake non- Local Community and resilient community led 2014 - 2 invasive maintenance work such Planning Group communities with the scheme to engage Community Led as gutter cleaning and vegetation confidence, capability local communities maintenance removal on properties in historic Aberdeenshire and capacity to tackle to take part events towns in Banff and Fraserburgh. Council things that matter to ownership of historic September 2015 (Infrastructure them. buildings in their +2 Community communities. led maintenance events September 2016 +2 Community Led maintenance events 1.6 From September 2013 Aberdeenshire 31 March 2016 Increase in Events will be held on 31 March 2014 implement a rollingprogramme Council participation - a half yearly basis to 1 engagement of engagement events with (Community supporting people to empower the private events the private sector led by CL&D Learning & take part in decision- sector to become 31 March 2015 which allows a two way flow of Development) making. valid equal partners +2 engagement information, raising the profile in the community events of community planning and planning process. 31 March 2016 enabling the private sector to +2 engagement influence priorities within the events community plan.

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 22 2) Children in Aberdeenshire have the best start in life through action with parents and children pre-birth to 8 years

Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 2.1 Focus on building life skills, Aberdeenshire 31 March 2016 Children have the best To build on life skills Increase in by promoting physical active Council (Early Years start in life through at an early age which partaking in play play and provide space and Service) action with parents will improve the activities. time to be creative by using and children pre birth outcomes for children existing resources such as parks, to 8 years. and young people woodland areas and beach. later in life. 2.2 Provide affordable child care Aberdeenshire 31 March 2016 Greater inclusion To support the set Set up child care provision from birth to school Council (Early Years and equality of up and operation of provision during age in the Banff and Macduff Service) opportunity - groups which can working hours area. recognising some provide child care in the Banff and people need during working hours. Macduff area. additional support to overcome the barriers they face. 2.3 From September 2013 to work Aberdeenshire 31 March 2015 Every child in Establish a Banff The development with setting up and development Council (Area Aberdeenshire Child and Buchan GIRFEC of area wide of the Banff and Buchan GIRFEC Manager) and young person Group. integrated group (Getting It Right For Every NHS in Aberdeenshire plans based Child). feels safe, nurtured, on strategic healthy, active, priorities. BANFF & included, respected and responsible. BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 23 Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 2.4 To implement information Aberdeenshire 31 March 2014 Greater inclusion To provide clear sign 3 Working Group mapping exercise to identify Council and equality of posting, access to info Sessions. services which can offer support (Community opportunity - with key services in and assessment of needs for Learning & recognising some both the public and vulnerable families with small Development) people need private sector. children. (Tackling Poverty additional support to and Inequalities) overcome the barriers (Community they face. Planning) Bridge CVS 2.5 Migrant workers with young Abdnshire Council 30 Sept 2014 Greater inclusion, To enable them and Family Learning families will be more able to (Community equality of their children to be services identified access the health, educational, Learning and opportunity and active and valued Evidence on clear emotional and social support Development) anti- discrimination members of their signposting ESOL they need. - recognising community. provision for some people need families additional support to overcome the barriers they face.

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 24 3) Reductions in inequalities in health outcomes between communities and across Banff and Buchan

Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 3.1 Reducing alcohol related harm NHS Public Health 31 March 2015 Increased To raise awareness of 6 Youth among young people in Banff Coordinator (Banff participation - alcohol related harm Engagement and Buchan and to better inform and Buchan) supporting people to linked to underage Events. and raise awareness of underage take part in decision- drinking by involving drinking. making. young people and parents in a series of engagement events. 3.2 Reducing Obesity in youths, NHS Public Health 31 March 2016 The intended The implement of a Mar 2014 engage with the Education Coordinator (Banff outcome is to improve number of projects 2 engagement Department on catering facilities and Buchan) the general health and initiatives to events at schools and the potential Aberdeenshire and wellbeing of our promote a healthier Mar 2015 for creating an exclusion zone Council communities lifestyle. 3 engagement around schools for fast food events outlets. March 2016 3 Engagement events

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 25 4) Aberdeenshire is the safest place in Scotland

Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 4.1 Young people in Banff & Buchan, Aberdeenshire 31 March 2015 Increase in skills, Delivery of Increase in who need our help most, will Council confidence and self partnership numbers of be supported through difficult (Community esteem of young diversionary and young people transitions in their lives and will Learning & people participating. transition projects. participating develop the skills they need for Development) Evidence of learning, life in work. Through a accreditation and range of projects jointly delivered progression in and developed by Community young people Planning partners, young people Reduction in will have access to safe and crime statistics in stimulating environments that relation to young will contribute to their emotional, people. physical and social wellbeing. 4.2 To promote and provide home Banff and Buchan 31 March 2014 To improve Partners, aim to Banff and Buchan safety and first aid information Local Community community safety raise awareness Local Community and raise the awareness of Planning Group within Banff and through training and Planning Group emergency numbers. Scottish Fire and Buchan. information. Rescue Service Implementation of Home Fire Safety Visits. 4.3 To achieve a sustainable Aberdeenshire 30 Sept 2015 Improve road safety Raise awareness September reduction in road traffic collisions Council within Banff and of road safety 2014 - BANFF & by implementing a series of Police Scotland Buchan. and reduce traffic 1 engagement BUCHAN programs in the education of Scottish Fire and collisions. event road safety to young people Rescue Service Implementation of September COMMUNITY and the community and roll out Home Fire Safety 2015 – PLAN a program of safety events to Visits 1 engagement 2013 – 2016 schools and the community. event 26 Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 4.4 Develop a better understanding Police Scotland 31 March Greater community To secure sustainable 3 Community of safety issues in our community 2015 empowerment reductions in crime engagement and propose a number of actions Banff and Buchan increasing the ability and the fear of crime events to make our community a safer, Local Community of individuals and in local communities friendlier place to live. Hold local Planning Group groups to influence and neighbourhoods. events to allow the community matters affecting to take action to maximise the them and their potential of community safety communities locally, ensuring that everyone can get involved to bring about change. 4.5 From September 2013, roll out Aberdeenshire 30 Sept Greater community To provide December 2013 Clean Dog Walking initiative to Council 2014 empowerment information on – Roll out Clean Community Councils and groups (Community increasing the ability enforcement, Dog Program in throughout Banff and Buchan. Planning Officer) of individuals and education and Fraserburgh and groups to influence prevention in relation District matters affecting to dog fouling Make March 2014 them and their Banff and Buchan a Roll out program community. cleaner and healthier in Banff Macduff place to live. and district 4.6 To work with the local Aberdeenshire 30 Sept Greater Empowerment Implement litter clean Implement litter community to raise awareness Council 2014 - increasing the ability up groups to enable clean up groups in litter, enable the community (Community of individuals and the community to in the local to make reductions in litter Planning Officer) groups to influence make reductions in community pollution and address the main matters affecting litter pollution and issues of litter in the community. them in their change the attitudes BANFF & communities. and behaviour BUCHAN to recognise that COMMUNITY littering is anti-social. PLAN 2013 – 2016 27 Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 4.7 From September 2013, Banff and Buchan 31 December The reduction To consult with Campaign on implement a joined up approach Local Community 2014 of nuisance and community groups enforcement of to tackle anti-social behaviour Planning Group harassment in the including residents, fixed penalty issues in respect to drinking, drug Police Scotland community creating a community councils fines for Drinking misuse, vandalism of property Scottish Fire and safer environment. and young people alcohol in Public and the reduction of deliberate Rescue Service Place. nuisance fires. Task group to raise the profile of the dangers of wilful fire raising in the community

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 28 5) Older people will live independent, healthier lives for longer, in a homely environment, in a community which respects and values them, with formal carers who receive support to continue to care

Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 5.1 To promote volunteering for Bridge CVS 30 Enhanced partnership To share info on Information Older People by providing September - ensuring resources, volunteering database on information on volunteering 2014 varied skills and opportunities volunteering opportunities to encourage capabilities are used with older people opportunities for older people to remain socially effectively. and encourage older people. connected and acknowledge the participation. valuable contribution they can give to society. 5.2 From September 2013 to Aberdeenshire 30 To improve the health Increased Recruitment of September 2015 to provide Council (Area September and wellbeing of older participation in Development a collaborative, asset-based Manager) 2015 adults in Banff and the health improve-ment Worker community development project. surrounding areas. activities. (Jan 2014) to facilitate the development, maintenance and strengthening of local assets.

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 29 6) Transport

Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 6.1 To work with service providers Aberdeenshire 30 September Greater inclusi To provide better Implement a and communities to implement Council 2014 and equality of transport links and Community community based transport NHS Grampian opport recogising to identify inequality based transport to improve access to services (Public Health some people need and social exclusion in system and better access to hospital Coordinator, Banff additional support to access to healthcare and health appointments for and Buchan) overcome the barriers and address the rural communities in Banff and they face. challenges of Buchan. rural isolation for vulnerable

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 30 7) Aberdeenshire will be recognised as a great place to live, work, invest with opportunities for all

Action Lead Partner Deadline Outcome Output Target 7.1 From September 2013 to March Banff and Buchan 31 March 2016 Banff and Buchan To promote facilities, Implement 2016, work proactively with Visit Local Community will be recognised as attractions and Regeneration Scotland and Local Community Planning Group a great place to live, amenities within the Action Plan. Planning Partners. Regeneration work and invest with Banff and Buchan Group opportunities for all. area. 7.2 From August 2013 set up a Banff and Buchan 31 August 2014 Greater inclusion To meet the Multi-Agency Welfare Reform Action group in Local Community and equality of local challenges Welfare Reform Banff and Buchan with the aim Planning Group opportunity - arising from the Action Group. to assess, develop and deliver a Citizens Advice recognising some implementation of local action plan. Bureau people need the Welfare Reforms. Turriff VSA additional support to through a multi overcome the barriers agency Welfare they face. Reform Action Group. 7.3 From June 2013 to support Super Fraserburgh 30 September Successful, inclusive Monthly events Monthly events Saturday events in Fraserburgh, Development Trust 2014 and resilient during summer during the which will be a campaign of Fraserburgh communities with the season to create a Summer Season events in the town centre of Forward confidence, capability vibrant town centre Fraserburgh, to encourage retail Local Community and capacity to tackle for local businesses involvement and increase the Planning Partners things that matter to and retailers to thrive footfall in the town centre. them. and showcase local BANFF & produce. BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 31 9 How Are We Doing?

The Banff and Buchan Community Planning Group will monitor the plan every six months and both the Banff and Buchan Committee and the Banff and Buchan Area Management Team will be involved in this process.

Additionally the Banff and Buchan Local Community Group will carry out an annual review of the plan every year to ensure it remains relevant for the people of Banff and Buchan.

You can find out what difference community planning is making in your area by visiting:

www.aberdeenshire.org.uk/localcommunityplans

Contact Us Banff and Buchan Community Planning Officer Aberdeenshire Council St Leonards Sandyhill Road Banff Aberdeenshire AB45 1BH Tel: 01261 813305 Email: [email protected]

BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 32 BANFF & BUCHAN COMMUNITY PLAN 2013 – 2016 33 Produced by Aberdeenshire Council GDT21829 October 2013