COUNCIL

MINUTES of the MEETING of the COMMUNITY PLANNING & REGENERATION COMMITTEE held in the MUNICIPAL CHAMBERS, MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, CORN EXCHANGE ROAD, STIRLING on THURSDAY 16 JUNE 2016 at 10.30 am

Present Councillor Corrie McCHORD (Convener)

Councillor Johanna BOYD Councillor Gerry MCLAUGHLAN Councillor Martin EARL Councillor Violet WEIR Councillor Scott FARMER

In Attendance

Stacey Burlet, Director of Communities and Partnerships Geraldine Donald, Team Leader, Project Delivery Tony Galloway, Programme Manager John MacMillan, Housing Property Manager Jane Menzies, Senior Manager – Community & Place Tracey Mills, Team Leader – Asset Management, Compliance and Strategy Andrew Pont, Performance Team Leader Robert Steenson, Director of Housing and Environment Keir Stevenson, Manager – Sport and Physical Activity Eddie White, Culture Manager Gillian Taylor, Neighbourhoods Manager Joyce Allen, Senior Committee Officer, Corporate Operations (Clerk)

Also in Attendance

Councillor Alasdair MacPherson Andrew Bain, Active Stirling Reverend Richard Begg Rae Wilson, Balfron Lunch Club

CR187 APOLOGIES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

There were no apologies or substitutions

CR188 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

CR189 URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE CHAIR

There were no matters of urgent business.

CR190 MINUTES

Community Planning & Regeneration Committee – 21 April 2016

Decision

The Committee approved the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 21 April 2016 as a correct record of proceedings.

CR191 PRESENTATION: , BALFRON AND TEST SITE UPDATE

The presentation and report to the Committee provided an overview of the community tests that were exploring community empowerment, promoting social justice and working increasingly collaboratively and innovatively with all partners including local businesses, third sector and communities to design and deliver services that met local need. The communities working alongside the Council were those of Cowie, Mercat Cross, Strathblane, Killearn and Balfron, and Strathfillan and .

Rae Wilson from Balfron lunch club and Rev Richard Begg were present. The presentation focused on the unique work going on in the rural south west test site area of Strathblane, Balfron and Killearn around collaborative support for older residents. A key priority for local people and community groups was to consider and test new approaches to supporting vulnerable individuals and identify a locally shaped and viable future for Strathendrick Care Home.

A short film showed a selection of the work taking place including, a live mapping event organised by Rev Begg to identify what was available and look at collaborative working; Balfron Lunch Club and their “meal maker plans” and Killearn shopping minibus. Reverend Begg explained that 24% of the population were over the age of 65 and many people had complex needs, including dementia. Future work would focus on the needs of the individual. This work included “Playlist for Life” which encouraged families and care givers to create a personally meaningful music on an iPod for people with dementia.

The Balfron Lunch Club had been successful in securing funding to introduce their “meal maker” initiative run by volunteers where someone could get a 2 course hot meal delivered to their home, all for £4. The volunteers would not just deliver the meal but spend some time with the person.

Rae Wilson and Reverend Begg stressed the importance of succession planning and mentoring in ensuring the number of volunteers could be sustained. The Committee recognised the tremendous work being done in a collaborative way and hoped that in future even better working relationships between partners could be developed.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the work underway in Strathblane, Balfron and Killearn through the community test site pilot.

(Reference: Report by Director of Communities & Partnerships, dated 23 May 2016, submitted). Councillor MacPherson joined the meeting for the next item of business.

CR192 COWIE REGENERATION OPTIONS APPRAISAL AND FEASIBILTY REVIEW

The report explained the process relating to enabling funding awarded by Hubco and high level conclusions of the Cowie Regeneration Options Appraisal and Feasibility Review.

The community of Cowie had worked together with Stirling Council and wider partners to develop a vision for their future. Central to this was the establishment of a local community hub, which provided a heart to the village and a focus for social regeneration and growth.

The community had for some time sought to make an application to the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, which if successful had the potential to be supported by the capital receipts from the sale of local Council assets.

The Team Leader, Asset Management, Compliance and Strategy explained that the proposal had the potential to increase the availability of local public space, significantly improve the main street area and support connectively in a village experiencing significant change. Officers were seeking approval to further explore support for a joint approach to co-locating with the NHS to deliver a community hub in either option 3 or 4 from the site appraisals.

The Committee welcomed the proposed project to deliver a local community hub for Cowie. In response to questions from Members, Officers outlined the consultation process undertaken to date which had involved four workshops over a ten week period.

The Convener invited Councillor MacPherson, one of the Local Members, to address the Committee. Councillor MacPherson expressed concern that Officers had not engaged with Cowie Community Enterprise when its registered office was in the Local Office which could be the subject of a future sale. He added that Cowie Community Enterprises had indicated that they would like the Council to transfer the ownership of the Local Office to them to maintain the independence of the credit union and advance other opportunities.

Officers confirmed that the process of community engagement would extend to other organisations and deepen further in the next stage of the process. In relation to recommendation 2.2 it was emphasised that this did not relate to a whole scale sale of assets but rather an in principle decision to ring fence the capital receipts from any possible future sale of assets and reinvest the funds to assist in the delivery of the Community Hub.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to further explore support for a joint approach to co-locating with NHS to deliver a community hub in either option 3 or 4 from the site appraisals, to benefit the wider community and regeneration; 2. to ring fence, the capital receipt from any future sale of the Local Office, Library, Community Centre and the Old St. Margaret Primary School site, and reinvest the funds to assist in the delivery of the Cowie Community Hub; and

3. to support an application to the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, as a means of securing appropriate funding to deliver this project;

4. to note that the process of community engagement would extend to other organisations and further deepen in the next stage of the process.

(Reference: Joint report by Director of Communities and Partnerships and Director of Housing and Environment, dated 7 June 2016, submitted).

Councillor MacPherson left the meeting at this point.

CR193 COMMUNITY PLANNING AND SOA – LEADERSHIP GROUP UPDATE

The report provided the Committee with an update on progress within the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Leadership Group.

The Leadership Group continued to focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for the residents of Stirling. The Leadership Group continually requested reassurance that the strategic objectives within the Single Outcome Agreement were translating to real and positive change within communities.

The CPP had prioritised locally based, responsive care with communities firmly at the centre. The meeting of 26 May 2016 focussed on the significant programmes of change underway to achieve this and ensure that services were well positioned to meet the challenges within the Community Empowerment Act.

The report outlined the main areas for discussion and progress on a number of key areas.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to note the progress outlined within the submitted report; and

2. to note the significant programmes being progressed to support a locality based, community centred and positive future for the residents of Stirling.

(Reference: Report by Director, Communities and Partnerships, dated 26 May 2016, submitted).

CR194 ALLEVIATING CHILD POVERTY IN STIRLING

Stirling was committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for everyone who lived, worked and visited the Stirling area. One core tenet of this was to provide appropriate support to mitigate the impact of child poverty. On 25 February 2016 Council approved a budget sum of £105,000 for targeted interventions which would support this initiative in 2016/17.

The report proposed a pilot project for the period of one year to further reduce child poverty and to consider the most effective and sustainable approach moving forward. It was recognised that a corporate approach to tackling child poverty, rooted in partnership working and focussed on reducing stigma was crucial.

In relation to the proposals to increase take up of footwear and clothing grants and reduce associated stigma, Members stressed the importance of getting information out to parents as soon as possible. The Director of Communities and Partnerships explained that work was currently taking place on the refreshed promotional and re- branding exercise and that wherever possible the timescales would be accelerated.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to approve the expenditure plans for use of £105,000 growth monies outlined in the submitted report so that a renewed and sustainable focus on alleviating child poverty could be put in place; and

2. to receive a further report following the completion of this work, outlining officer recommendations on how the needs of our most in need children could be met.

(Reference: Report by Director, Communities and Partnerships, dated 31 May 2016, submitted).

CR195 PROMOTING COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND REGENERATION

In April 2016, the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee agreed an approach for progressing the use of £530,000 of growth funds to support the progression of the Social Justice, Regeneration and Economic Growth Agenda through a programme of positive change.

The report outlined a proposal for the use of £100,000 of growth monies on a Community Empowerment and Regeneration fund, which would create positive change within our most in need communities. It was proposed that a ‘challenge fund’ be set up to allow community based organisations to bid for the growth funding where it was needed most. Community based organisations in Cultenhove, Fallin, , , Hillpark and and in other Stirling Council areas that could evidence a particular regeneration need and were not currently within the test site programme would be eligible to apply for funding.

It was recognised that some areas did not have active community organisations. The Council would however ensure that access to appropriate support be made available to communities, to support equalities of access and opportunity when making a bid. Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to delegate responsibility for progressing the use of growth monies associated with community empowerment and regeneration to the Director of Children, Communities and Enterprise in conjunction with the Convener of the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee so that the recommendation outlined at paragraph 2.2 in the submitted report could progress at pace;

2. to approve the establishment of a ‘Challenge Fund’ to help build community resilience and capacity whilst supporting regeneration of our most in need communities; and

3. that a further report on the Community Empowerment and Regeneration Challenge Fund, detailing progress and impact, would be presented to a future meeting of the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee.

(Reference: Report by Director, Communities and Partnerships, dated 31 May 2016, submitted).

CR196 SUPPORTING THOSE MOST IN NEED

Stirling Council was committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for everyone who lived, worked and visited the Stirling area. This included providing appropriate support to mitigate the impact on local people through the current round of welfare reform changes.

In March 2016, Craigforth Consulting, in conjunction with Nick Hopkins Consulting were commissioned to carry out an analysis of those most in need in Stirling. A particular focus was placed on not just advice, but also information, representation and support services; and their preparedness for the challenges faced in the context of ongoing welfare reform.

The report from the Consultants attached at Appendix 2 provided comprehensive data on local demographics and demand and offered a comprehensive baseline from which local solutions could be based.

In parallel, the consultants were identifying not only all services available within Stirling, but were gathering their views on next steps. This discussion had clearly identified the desire of all partners to be meaningfully engaged in developing a clear and shared strategic framework and to ensure the highest quality, integrated support possible for the residents of the Stirling Council area.

Stirling Council was also working to put in place a locality based approach which would offer new opportunities for tackling issues affecting those most in need in a joined up way.

Similarly, Stirling’s Community Planning Partnership (CPP) had begun to focus on the development of a new Locality Outcomes Improvement Plan, as required by Scottish Government. The report recognised the opportunity to align these work streams to determine how to collectively focus efforts in a way that best supported those who were most in need within their localities moving forwards.

Further work would be undertaken during the summer involving CPP partners, the third sector and Council employees, so that a comprehensive package of recommendations could be presented to Committee in September 2016.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to note the content of the report at Appendix 2 and the context it provided for developing approaches to future service delivery within Stirling; and

2. to receive a further report in September 2016 detailing recommendations for supporting those who are most in need within localities through a partnership approach.

(Reference: Report by Director, Communities and Partnerships, dated 7 June 2016, submitted).

CR197 PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIC PRIORITIES PROGRESS REPORT

The report presented the latest information on the performance indicators, and on progress in implementing the strategic priorities, overseen by the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee. The report also provided details on the progress with the development of a Performance and Quality Assurance Framework for community based activity.

Members were pleased to note that currently all indicators were on target. In particular, officers in Sport and Wellbeing were commended for consistently meeting targets.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to note the performance of reported indicators at Appendix 2 – Section 1 and 2 of the submitted report;

2. to note that the Service Objectives and Activities through which the Strategic Priorities overseen by the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee were being delivered were currently being reviewed. Updated details would be reported to the next Committee; and

3. to note progress on the development of a Performance and Quality Assurance framework for community based activity within Stirling and the inclusion of outcome focussed performance measures for future reporting to the Committee.

(Reference: Report by Director, Communities and Partnerships, dated 13 May 2016, submitted). The meeting adjourned at 12.30 pm for a comfort break and reconvened at 12.40 pm with the same Members present.

CR198 STIRLING SPORTS VILLAGE – NATIONAL PERFORMANCE CENTRE – CURLING

The report provided an update on the progress of the National Performance Centre – Curling (NPC-C), and detailed a path to project delivery.

Following discussion with sportscotland and the wider stakeholder group, it had been agreed that the name of the ice performance centre should be changed to the National curling Academy. Branding would promote the “National Curling Academy, home of Team GB”, to reinforce it as a British wide facility.

The first round, outline application to sportscotland’s Sports Facilities Fund was submitted and approved in March 2016 and the full application would be submitted in May 2016. The current floor plan and 3D image was shown in Appendix 2 to the submitted report. This included some design changes from Stage 1 following detailed input by stakeholders.

Officers confirmed a total project cost of £3.21M with financial closure scheduled to take place at the end of June 2016, followed by a period of mobilisation and a site start currently programmed for mid July 2016.

Decision

The Committee agreed to approve the confirmed project costs as stated in the submitted report and delegate authority to the Director - Children, Communities and Enterprise to (i) formally accept the Hubco Stage 2 costs in respect of the National Curling Academy, to enable Financial Close to be progressed, and (ii) thereafter finalise and complete the award of contract to Hub East Central Ltd and all associated documentation related to the same.

(Reference: Joint report by Director of Communities and Partnerships and Director of Housing and Environment, dated 7 June 2016, submitted).

CR199 COMMUNITY SPORT HUBS PILOT SCHEME

The report provided an overview of a proposed pilot scheme to deliver a Community Sport Hub within an urban and a rural location in Stirling. The objective of the pilot scheme was to bring together sports clubs and key local partners within a defined locality to develop and grow the sporting offer focusing on a sustainable, community-led approach that met the needs and aspirations of the local community.

A sum of £50,000 was approved by Council in February 2016 for the development and delivery of a pilot scheme. It was recommended that two different types of hubs be developed as a pilot, one within an urban location based at High School and the other within the rural area covering the north of .

The report provided an overview of how this funding would be utilised. The Committee recognised the importance of the Community Sports Hub Officer in bringing key people together, developing relationships and empowering groups and organisations to be sustainable and driven. Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to approve Community Sports Hub pilots within (i) Bannockburn High, which could deliver to satellite locations within the Eastern Villages, and (ii) the North of Callander Area Cluster;

2. that the Community Sports Hub pilots be managed and delivered from within the Council via a Community Sports Hub Officer working directly for Stirling Council to develop, deliver, monitor and report on the pilot scheme;

3. to receive a progress report of the pilot scheme assessing the impact, outcomes and cost in February 2017 as a means of considering future roll out; and

4. subject to the success of the pilot and approval of this Committee, application be made to sportscotland for the future funding of Community Sports Hubs in Stirling for 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/20.

(Reference: Report by Director of Communities and Partnerships dated 31 May 2016, submitted).

CR200 RAPLOCH REGENERATION PROPOSAL

The report set out a partnership proposal involving the Council and Robertson Group Ltd to revitalise and accelerate the Raploch Regeneration Initiative to deliver between 400 and 543 new homes across five sites.

The partnership approach with the Robertson Group Ltd had been commissioned under the Scape Framework which aimed to maximise reliability, efficiency and savings for Stirling as its client, using collaboration to take projects from feasibility through detailed design to delivery on site.

It was anticipated that the housing provided would include at least 160 units for affordable rent, 100 units for mid-market rent, 40 private rental units and 100 units for market sale. The proposal included consideration of an off-site innovative volumetric construction model, as well as traditional build, and it was proposed that approximately 60 affordable units would be delivered by utilising £5m affordable housing investment from the Falkirk Pension Fund, to be managed by CastleRock Edinvar Housing Association Ltd.

An initial site study had been undertaken by the development partner, Robertson Group Ltd, and this had established that an affordable proposal could deliver the housing units and also generate an income stream for the Raploch URC for the duration of the construction period to fund employability initiatives within Stirling. Approval was sought to progress to the development of a detailed business case.

The Committee welcomed the report and the proposed mix of housing. In relation to a question on training and development, the Housing Property Manager confirmed that the Robertson Group Ltd was committed to offering apprenticeships.

It was noted that in response to previous concerns raised in relation to the performance of Castle Rock Edinvar Housing in managing properties, they had developed an Improvement Plan which had been presented at the Housing Advisory Group.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to note the content of the submitted report and approve progression to development of a detailed business case: and

2. to delegate authority for the Director of Localities and Infrastructure to progress development of the detailed business case with Robertson Group Ltd under the Scape Framework in accordance with procurement requirements and Contract Standing Orders.

(Reference: Report by Director of Housing & Environment dated 2 June 2016, submitted).

CR201 A CULTURAL STRATEGY FOR STIRLING – THE CONTRIBUTION OF LIBRARIES

On 18 February 2016, the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee approved a draft version of Stirling’s Cultural Strategy for further public consultation. One aspect of this consultation had been to capture the important role that Stirling’s libraries already played within communities and the further contribution they could make.

The report outlined how the national strategic framework for libraries and the local impact of the service within communities would shape and inform the final Cultural Strategy. It also provided an update on the consultation currently taking place with respect to Stirling’s Cultural Strategy.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to note the contents of the submitted report; and

2. to instruct the Culture, Libraries & Archives Manager to fully incorporate the role of libraries within the objectives and outcomes of the final Cultural Strategy to be presented to the Committee at the meeting scheduled to take place on 22 September 2016.

(Reference: Report by Director Communities and Partnerships, dated 20 May 2016, submitted).

CR202 COMMUNITY ASSETS UPGRADE & RENOVATION – CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The report provided an overview of projects which could be developed and delivered from the Upgrade and Renovation of Community Facilities budget as indicated within the General Services Capital Programme 2016/2017 to 2020/2021, approved by Council in February 2015. The report also provided an explanation of how projects were prioritised and developed into capital projects. The community properties included for renovation and upgrade in Appendix 3 to the submitted report were not currently in scope within the COP004 Community Property Transformational Programme, surplus property or included within other projects.

Decision

The Committee agreed to approve the proposed list of Capital projects to be delivered within 2016/2017, detailed in Appendix 3 to the submitted report.

(Reference: Joint report by Director of Communities and Partnerships and Director of Housing and Environment, dated 7 June 2016, submitted).

CR203 STIRLING SCOTTISH MARATHON

The report provided an update on an exciting opportunity being developed to stage an annual marathon in Stirling, to be known as the Stirling Scottish Marathon.

The inaugural event was planned to be held on 21 May 2017 with a further two marathons to be held in 2018 and 2019. The event was expected to bring significant sporting, cultural and economic benefits to Stirling.

Nova (trading as The Great Run Company) would lead the planning and delivery of the event and the Council would contribute staff time to support the event and the costs associated with traffic management and licensing.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to note the significant sporting, cultural and economic benefits to Stirling of establishing an annual marathon in the local area;

2. to endorse the Council’s support of the Stirling Scottish Marathon and associated arrangements; and

3. to note that Council officers would continue to work with the Great Run Company and other partners to develop a marathon commencing 21 May 2017 with a further two marathons to be staged in 2018 and 2019.

(Reference: Report by Director of Communities and Partnerships, dated 2 June 2016, submitted).

CR204 MEMORIAL TO POLMAISE MINERS – UPDATE ON PROGRESS

Council had previously agreed to recognise the proud industrial heritage of the Eastern Villages and in particular the coal mining community’s contribution to the life and work of the area, paying tribute to all those people in the coal mining and other industries of the past that left a legacy in shaping the future of the Eastern Villages. The report provided an update on the various elements of the agreed work as at mid May 2016.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to note the update on progress;

2. to approve the web based resource for move to the next stage, including launch and promotion; and

3. to receive a further update at the September 2016 Committee.

(Reference: Joint report by Director of Communities & Partnerships and Director of Children, Young People & Education dated 7 June 2016, submitted).

CR205 CONSULTATION: ACTIVE TRAVEL PLAN

On 11 June 2015 the Committee approved the Sports, Physical Activity and Wellbeing Strategy for adoption. The associated Action Plan was approved for adoption by the Committee on 26 November 2015. The Plan included an action to ‘create and implement an Active Travel Plan for Stirling’, which covered the whole of Stirling.

The Active Travel Plan, Walking and Cycling to a Healthier Stirling, had been drafted and would be consulted on as part of the wider Local Transport Strategy consultation that would be taking place between 4 July and 23 September 2016. The report set out the proposed key element of the Active Travel Plan.

It was proposed that the Plan would then be revised based on consultation responses and submitted to full Council in December 2016 to be considered for adoption as part of the Local Transport Strategy. Thereafter it would be brought back to the Committee to be considered for adoption as part of the Sports, Physical Activity and Wellbeing Strategy.

In response to a question on progress of walking and cycling routes, Officers undertook to provide Members with a briefing note on the completion of the route between Stirling and Callander.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1. to note that the draft Active Travel Plan (Walking and Cycling to a Healthier Stirling) delivered the objectives of both the Sports, Physical Activity and Wellbeing Strategy and the Local Transport Strategy;

2. to note that consultation regarding the draft Active Travel Plan (Walking and Cycling to a Healthier Stirling) would be undertaken between July and September 2016, as part of the wider Local Transport Strategy consultation; and 3. to note that the Active Travel Plan (Walking and Cycling to a Healthier Stirling) would be revised based on consultation responses and taken to full Council in December 2016 to be considered for adoption as part of the Local Transport Strategy. It would then be brought back to the Committee to be considered for adoption as part of the Sports, Physical Activity and Wellbeing Strategy.

(Reference: Joint report by Director of Communities and Partnerships and Director of Housing and Environment, dated 7 June 2016, submitted).

The Convener declared the Meeting closed at 2.10 pm