The Community Planning Strategic Board meeting was scheduled to discuss progress on locality plans, community plan delivery groups, and quarterly partnership updates. A presentation on Theme 3: Good Health and Wellbeing was also on the agenda.

Theme 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

A presentation was scheduled to be delivered by Kirsty Kiln and Caroline Hamilton on the topic of Good Health and Wellbeing. This theme is a key focus of the Scottish Borders Community Plan 2023/33, with stated outcomes including improving access to effective services, reducing health inequalities, and supporting the delivery of Locality Action Plans. The report pack indicated that work was ongoing in areas such as housing, screening programmes, and social prescribing, with partnerships being developed with organisations like NHS Borders and Live Borders.

Locality Plans Update

An update on the three locality plans – Galashiels East, Bannerfield, and Burnfoot – was scheduled to be presented by Clare Malster and Sharon Irvine. These plans are developed under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and aim to tackle inequality at a local level, focusing on areas identified through the Scottish Indices of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). The report pack provided detailed information on the progress and outcomes for Burnfoot and Bannerfield, outlining priorities such as reducing anti-social behaviour, improving environmental quality, and increasing access to work, learning, and training. A verbal update was expected for Galashiels East.

Community Plan Delivery Groups Progress Reports

The Board was scheduled to receive written updates on the progress of various Community Plan Delivery Groups. These reports covered:

• Theme 1 – Poverty: This update detailed progress in addressing child poverty in the Scottish Borders, noting a reduction in the rate to 15.0%, the lowest in over a decade. The report also highlighted the ongoing work of the Child Poverty Action Group and the Integrated Children's Plan Annual Progress Report.
• Theme 2 – Learning, Skills & Economy: A report on the Local Employability Partnership (LEP) was included, outlining its subgroups and key performance indicators related to young people's positive destinations, all-age employability outcomes, parental employability, and business engagement. The report detailed various funded interventions aimed at improving skills and employment pathways.
• Theme 3 – Good Health & Wellbeing: This report was linked to the presentation on Theme 3, providing further detail on the progress of initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities.
• Theme 4 – Place, Community & Connectivity: Updates were provided on workstreams related to digital inclusion, housing, and transport, with a focus on improving access to services and empowering communities.

Quarterly Partnership Update

Updates were scheduled from several key partnerships:

• Children & Young People's Planning Partnership (CYPPP): A verbal update was expected from Hannah Hawthorn and Cory Paterson. The report highlighted progress in updating plans to align with the Integrated Children's Plan, the establishment of a Strategic Group for Community Mental Health and Wellbeing, and the re-establishment of the UNCRC working group. It also detailed activities related to the Scottish Borders Champions Board, which supports care-experienced young people.
• Community Justice Partnership: A written update was provided on the progress of the Scottish Borders Community Justice Local Outcomes Improvement Plan 2024-2029. This included reporting on community justice activity, the development of a peer mentoring programme, and the ongoing work of the Employability Service for individuals involved in the justice system.
• CLD Strategic Partnership: A written update was provided on the Scottish Borders CLD Strategic Partnership Plan 2024-27, outlining progress on priorities such as increasing accreditation offers, developing ESOL provision, and strengthening adult learning and employability support.

Forward Planner for Future Meetings

The Board was scheduled to review the forward planner for upcoming meetings, with a note that the next meeting would focus on Theme 3: Good Health and Wellbeing.

Venue for Next Meetings

Information was provided regarding the venue for the next meeting, which was to be held at Eildon Housing, Ettrick Mill Business Park, Dunsdale Road, Selkirk, TD7 5DY.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at Borders College Campus, Nether Road, Galashiels, TD1 3HE.