SCDC Report – Community Fund and Area Partnerships

Last year Scottish Borders Council commissioned the Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) to carry out an independent review of the Community Fund and Area Partnerships.

199 people took part in the review which has already resulted in some changes being made to the format of Area Partnerships.

Following nine weeks of public engagement SCDC produced 41 recommendations for SBC to consider.

Key messages from the review include:

• After 18 months of operation the Area Partnerships have yet to realise the level of community engagement and involvement that was envisaged when they were established.
• Active steps need to be taken to attract a wider range of people from the local communities.
• Local people want to be included in the design of new partnership structures and funding proposals.
• Area Partnerships are performing well in selecting the issues they are dealing with and information sharing; however, there are challenges in ensuring that the people attending represent their community, transparency in decision making and the limited role for the community at meetings.

Scottish Borders Council discussed the results of the review at their meeting on 25 June and agreed that a further report should be brought to Council in August which will propose next steps for evolving Area Partnerships and Community Fund arrangements.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the review and are pleased to attach the report produced by the Scottish Community Development Centre. We hope that you will work with us over the coming months to continue to reshape the Area Partnerships and Community Fund to reflect the observations and recommendations made within the report, to suit the nature of the communities which they cover and address the needs within them.

Download the report