5. CIF Expenditure - Cabinet - 23.08.22 FINAL combined
North Ayrshire Council · 23 August 2022
Back to Cabinet — 23 August 2022 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 23 August 2022 Cabinet Title: Proposals for Community Investment Fund (CIF) Expenditure Purpose: To determine applications by Locality Partnerships to allocate CIF funding to proposed projects. Recommendation: That Cabinet: a) Reviews the enclosed applications from the Irvine Locality Partnership, the Kilwinning Locality Partnership, and the Three Towns Locality Partnership in line with CIF criteria; b) Approves the CIF application in relation to Input; c) Approves the CIF application in relation to Irvine Tennis Club; d) Approves the CIF application in relation to Kilwinning Community Sports Club for Kilwinning Tennis development; and e) Approves the CIF application in relation to Ardrossan Community Association. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 Within its budget for 2017-18, North Ayrshire Council provided a funding allocation for the creation of an innovative fund to enable communities to address the priorities they have identified though Locality Planning Partnerships and within the context of North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership’s Fair for All Strategy and the Council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy. In June 2021, Cabinet approved a further £1m top-up for the funding, with a further £2m added in November 2021. 1.2 Locality Partnerships have subsequently continued to work on their local action plans and are refining proposals for expenditure in line with their locally identified needs. This is a difficult process, and it is a testament to the dedication of the Locality Partnerships and their community partners that proposals are now emerging to provide creative approaches to addressing local challenges. 1.3 This report brings forward proposals which respond to the specific need of the local community and which have been developed based on local circumstances and opportunities. 1.4 These proposals have been approved to be submitted to Cabinet through a process of collaboration and consensus by the respective Locality Partnerships.
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2. Background 2.1 Within its budget for 2017-18, North Ayrshire Council provided an allocation for the creation of an innovative fund to enable communities to address the priorities they have identified though Locality Planning Partnerships and within the context of North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership’s Fair for All Strategy and the Council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy. A further £3m was added to the funding in 2021, to be distributed among Localities as follows: Locality Value of CIF from first funding allocation (2017-18) Expenditure to date Value of CIF from second funding allocation (June 2021) Value of CIF from third funding allocation (Nov 2021) Total balance available Irvine £754 000 £304, 604 £290 000 £580 000 £1 319 396 Kilwinning £286 000 £231 190 £120 000 £240 000 £414 810 Three Towns £598 000 £567 620 £240 000 £480 000 £750 380 Garnock Valley £390 000 £242 805 £150 000 £300 000 £598 195 North Coast £468 000 £380 445 £170 000 £340 000 £597 555 Arran £104 000 £45 226 £30 000 £60 000 £148 774 TOTAL £2 600 000 £1 827 631 £1 000 000 £2 000 000 £3 772 369 2.2 It was agreed that the CIF awards range between £5,000 and £100,000 for the community organisations, as defined in the CIF guidance, in order to support proposals and projects that connect with: • The North Ayrshire Fair for All Strategy, with consideration for how applications contribute to community support for the cost-of-living crisis; • The Community Planning Partnership and Locality priorities; • North Ayrshire Council’s values, priorities and business objectives; • The Community Wealth Building and Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Strategies; And will also: • Fulfil a compelling need and not duplicate existing services or facilities; • Provide long-term, sustainable, positive results for the greatest number of people possible; • Exhibit project and/or organisational innovation in their approaches to their work in their way of addressing community challenges and in their request to Locality Partnerships and the Council;
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• Come from (an) organisation(s) that is financially viable (can provide financial statements upon request) and efficiently and effectively managed. This can include an organisation to be created to deliver the project; • Include options or potential for NAC and CPP employee engagement and volunteering where possible; and • Include measurable outcomes and can report to NAC on outcomes on a regular basis. 2.3 The proposal development and application process has been agreed as follows: • Locality Partnerships should continue to engage with their communities and stimulate interest in the CIF. Each Locality Partnership will then strategically assess the applications, make links and look at the funding ‘in the round.’ • If the partnership supports a bid then the group will be encouraged to submit a full application form, which they will decide upon before making a proposal to Cabinet for final approval. • The proposal will go to the next suitable Cabinet for final approval. 2.4 The enclosed applications have been developed by community partners and North Ayrshire Council officers and are now recommended for approval by Cabinet. The proposals are as follows: 2.4.1The Irvine Locality Partnership The Irvine Locality Partnership CIF allocation to date £1 624 000 Digital Officer £ 84 604 Vineburgh & Fullarton Community Enablers £ 100 000 Irvine Newtown Men’s Shed £ 10 000 Harbourside Men’s Shed £ 10 000 Irvine Youth Hub £ 100 000 Balance £ 1 319 396 Proposal: Input– Digital Inclusion: £60 000 (Appendix 1) The proposal supports Digital Irvine and will facilitate and improve digital inclusion for the community. In conjunction with North Ayrshire Fair for All Inequalities Strategy and Community Planning Partnership, Input will provide education and training to the community a range of digital hardware and software that can be used to help improve the lives of the community through the acquisition of knowledge, information and access to online services and support. The funding will be used to support 2 x 20 hours per week posts to ensure that there is IT support and training cover for at least 20 hours per week, allowing for holiday and sickness cover. Digital support sessions will be delivered in community venues within the Irvine area. The project will also identify needs and gaps, assist in sourcing funding for any additional equipment needed, solve simple IT equipment problems and offer drop-in sessions where people can get IT advice and support. The project aims to help the community to become more skilled and confident in the use of computers and digital equipment. There are opportunities for volunteering
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and this initiative will also facilitate and encourage crossover between different community or voluntary groups who would like to receive IT education and training. Benefits include support for online job applications and helping community groups to offer digital access for those who cannot afford home access. 2.4.2 The Irvine Locality Partnership Proposal: Irvine Tennis Club – Improvement of facilities: £100 000 (Appendix 2) Irvine Tennis Club (ITC) are requesting funding to develop the facilities at Thornhouse Avenue, which Cabinet recently approved as a Community Asset Transfer to the Club. The aim is to provide all members of the local community with the opportunity to play tennis in a safe and inclusive environment. There is a pressing need to upgrade the facility to put Irvine on a par with other facilities and, also, to ensure ITC can achieve their inclusivity aim of bringing the sport to all. The funding would be used to contribute to the regeneration project, including new playing surface, club facilities and lighting totalling in the region of £275k. ITC intend to ensure the Club and facility offer real opportunities for children and young people to become engaged in the game. There are also opportunities for volunteering and, in time, coaching and, potentially, employment. Sports facilities, such as Kilwinning Community Sports Club and Dalry Community Sports Club, are examples of where community ownership is a catalyst for community action, leading to a far wider range of outcomes to address poverty and inequalities such as after school clubs with meals, food larders and kit exchanges. 2.4.3 The Kilwinning Locality Partnership The Kilwinning Locality Partnership CIF allocation to date £646 000 Kilwinning McGavin Park £35 000 Multi-Purpose Youth and Community Hub £41 190 Multi-Purpose Youth and Community Hub – Phase 2 £15 000 Kilwinning McGavin Park Stage 3 £45 000 Almswall Park Pitch Replacement £45 000 Corsehill Play Park £50 000 Balance £414 810 Proposal: Kilwinning Community Sports Club – Kilwinning Tennis Improvement of facilities: £55 000 (Appendix 3) Kilwinning Community Sports Club has built a strong, sustainable range of sports facilities at its Pennyburn base, attracting investment, increasing participation and encouraging volunteering. The last 5 years have seen a resurgence in tennis, particularly influenced by the national successes of young players. The community has expressed an interest in having a tennis court. KCSC currently offers netball at the Club, but not with the proper facilities. KCSC would like to convert the existing unused golf range into an all-purpose space for tennis and netball. It will be constructed in a way that will allow it to be adaptable for other activities such as basketball and concert venue This will help with the sustainability for the organisation and will help to provide further
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youth and community activities. The Club has already managed to secure seating for it to be used as a venue. The project will provide much needed, sustainable community space and facilities no longer available in the town. Although closely identified with its football activities, which sit at the heart of a hub, KCSC draws the community to varied facilities through which is delivers a wide range of community development, bringing together youth activities, community food provision, kit exchanges, employability skills and health and wellbeing activities. A newly formed Tennis Club is being constituted to manage the new facility and encourage growth of the sport within the town. 2.4.4 The Three Towns Locality Partnership The Three Towns Locality Partnership CIF allocation to date £1 318 000 Ardrossan Community Development Trust £ 25 000 Three Towns Growers £ 100 000 The Training Station £ 50 000 Ardrossan Castle Heritage Hub £ 17 912 Raise Your Voice With Ardeer £ 100 000 Ardrossan Community Sports Hub £ 43 320 Winton Circus Play Park £ 48 288 Ardrossan Community Development Trust Community Development Officer £ 53 100 Raise Your Voice With Ardeer (increased costs for multi-purpose hub) £ 130 000 Balance £ 750, 380 Proposal: Ardrossan Community Association – Part time Support Worker: £ 48 586 (Appendix 4) The Community Association is responsible for the daily running of the vibrant busy Whitlees Community Centre, which has a full programme of activities and programmes. The Centre has a fully refurbished kitchen and raises income for its social and community support programmes through successful events and local catering contracts. Nearly two years ago this led to the opening of The Quaint Larder. With this funding the Community Association will employ a part-time support worker for a period of two years, as well as casual /sessional event staff to assist with the development of the catering and larder provision, in relation to addressing the cost-of-living crisis. The successful candidates will provide support for the wide range of activities that have been created by the centre as part of its road to recovery from the pandemic. The benefits include improved support for the increased catering opportunities and requests, which provide vital income generation and give sustainability of the centre; learning and development opportunities in a range of contexts that will help to address food poverty; and more engagement with a wide range of community members, volunteers, partners, and customers. The Community Association is actively supporting the North Ayrshire Fairer Food Network and the increased staff capacity will enable community leaders to share their learning and support other larders as they develop. As well as focusing on
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personal and family life, health, employability, and financial advice/budgeting, the Community Association want to develop and deliver adult education opportunities, with a focus on first steps to accreditation guided by CLD and the Adult Education Strategy for Scotland. This project offers employment, skills development, and volunteering opportunities as well as social outcomes and supports Whitlees as the centre recovers from the impact of the pandemic. This project was brought as an Expression of Interest to the Three Towns Locality Partnership, where it attracted strong support and the full application has been agreed by email in order to progress it promptly. 3. Proposals 3.1 That Cabinet: a) Reviews the enclosed applications from the Irvine Locality Partnership, the Kilwinning Locality Partnership, and the Three Towns Locality Partnership in line with CIF criteria; b) Approves the CIF application in relation to Input; c) Approves the CIF application in relation to Irvine Tennis Club; d) Approves the CIF application in relation to Kilwinning Community Sports Club for Kilwinning Tennis development; and e) Approves the CIF application in relation to Ardrossan Community Association 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 CIF funding is allocated within existing resources. Human Resources 4.2 The Input and Ardrossan Community Association proposals will provide employment opportunities. All of the projects offer volunteering and skills development opportunities, some of which may lead to employment. Legal 4.3 None. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 The purpose of Locality Planning is to reduce inequalities, increase community cohesion and advance community empowerment. Each of the CIF proposals is tested against that purpose before being presented to Cabinet. All these applications provide opportunities for increased community support for the cost-of-living crisis through skills development, digital inclusion, support for food provision, increased volunteering, community cohesion and wellbeing. The Input proposal targets digital inequalities and digital skills deficits. The Ardrossan Community Association is supporting the development of catering and the community larder, which sustains the centre’s ability to address poverty and food insecurity locally. The investment in tennis/netball facilities provides local free access to physical activity and can lead to a far wider range of outcomes as outlined in 2.4.2.
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Environmental and Sustainability 4.5 Environmental and sustainability issues are considered in relation to each CIF application. The two tennis applications will improve local facilities and seek to introduce more environmentally-friendly playing surfaces Key Priorities 4.6 The proposals contained within the report support the North Ayrshire Council Plan priorities: • Active and strong communities • Inclusive, growing and enterprising local economy • People enjoy good life-long health and wellbeing. Community Wealth Building 4.7 The applications support the following pillars of community wealth building: • Creating volunteering and skills development opportunities; • Advancing community enterprises; and • Advancing local ownership of underused land and buildings; and • Supporting local third sector businesses. 5. Consultation 5.1 The proposals contained within this report have been developed and approved by the Locality Partnership, through consultation with partners in employability and skills and local people, including young people. Audrey Sutton Executive Director of Communities and Education For further information please contact Rhona Arthur, Head of Connected Communities, on 01294 324415. Background Papers Appendix 1: CIF Application: Input Appendix 2: CIF Application: Irvine Tennis Club Appendix 3: CIF Application: Kilwinning Community Sports Club for Kilwinning Tennis Appendix 4: CIF Application: Ardrossan Community Association
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Appendix 1 - Community Investment Fund: Proposal to Cabinet Organisation name Input Brief details of organisation Input is a charity registered with OSCR in March 2012. It is constituted as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) Charity No.SC043014. Input aim to: • advance the education of people with learning difficulties in work and life skills by the provision of training in order to increase their employability and quality of life; • advance the education of the public in the use of Information Technology by the provision of equipment, training and resources, in particular for those who by virtue of their age or socio-economic circumstances would not otherwise have access to Information Technology; and • improve the present condition and the future prospects of the community by advocating for the community and facilitating opportunities for change, growth and development of the inherent potential of people and places. Input works with local community centres and has close working links with both council, private enterprises and Third Sector organisations. Input’s main objective is to help people with learning difficulties, in the process it refurbishes donated computers which are then distributed for free to people in the community who need them. Their trainees (people who attend Input) also provide telephone digital support as well as basic computer classes and training on a one-to-one basis. The trainees’ confidence, independence and self-esteem are greatly bolstered by their activities. Through Input’s actions and provision of services, it helps raise the profile of people with learning difficulties. Locality Irvine Amount requested £60 000 Brief overview of proposal During the pandemic, the inequalities due to poverty and lack of financial security became very evident including social isolation and inability to access support services. A great effort was made to identify and improve digital inclusion and accessibility. As a result of this initiative, Input was tasked by Irvine Community Planning Partnership to update computer suites in multiple venues in Irvine. This involved providing and making
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ready for use - new computers, software and equipment as identified by each venue. The venues in receipt of equipment included: - Castlepark, Fullarton, Redburn, Towerlands and Vineburgh Community Centres. This has provided excellent computer facilities for the areas, but for people to be able to use the computers, equipment and software they need education, training and support. Input’s proposal is to facilitate and improve digital inclusion for the community. In conjunction with North Ayrshire Fair for All Inequalities Strategy and Community Planning Partnership, it will provide education and training to the community on the digital arena: - computers, laptops and associated equipment, Smartphones, tablets, software and packages that can be used to help improve the lives of the community through the acquisition of knowledge, information and access to online services and support. This will be a new service provided by Input with no new organisation setup required. The funding is for 40 hours of staff support per week - two twenty hours part time or one 40 hour post. Input’s preference is that there is IT support and training cover for at least 20 hours per week, allowing for holiday and sickness cover. These sessions would be delivered in community venues within the Irvine area. Responsibilities of the post would include: - • Facilitate local groups to work collaboratively; • Work with the local community to identify needs and gaps in online access for those who cannot afford home access; • Provide computer education and training for the community; • Arrange sessions over venues; • Troubleshooting of equipment as problems arise; • Assist in sourcing funding for any additional equipment needed; and • Drop-in sessions where people can get IT advice and support. Key outcomes: The community will be more skilled and confident in the use of computers and digital equipment. The project will provide the opportunity for volunteering in the community as those with IT expertise will be involved in providing support. It will facilitate and encourage crossover between different community / voluntary groups who would like to receive IT education and training. Digital competency allows people to access advertised vacancies; create and update CV’s that they can submit electronically for job applications. Digital competence allows people to access information towards healthy living – dietary advice, lifestyle changes that will help to support healthy living, accessing self-help and support groups, accessing virtual appointments with medical and ancillary staff. Timescales Autumn 2022 Contact details Elaine Baxter, Locality Officer, Connected Communities ebaxter@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
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Appendix 2 - Community Investment Fund: Proposal to Cabinet Organisation name Irvine Tennis Club Brief details of organisation Irvine Tennis Club is a registered Charity (Charity Number SC051186). The Charity status was confirmed on 6th August 2021, however, the Club itself was formed in March 2021. This is an experienced committee with diverse expertise and experience of managing tennis assets. The Club is working closely with Tennis Ayrshire and Tennis Scotland, and is following the governance model of other tennis clubs in Scotland and Ayrshire. The club has the following aims and objectives: ● To facilitate and encourage public participation in the sport of tennis in Irvine and the surrounding area by providing free and public access to the junior tennis courts to members of the public. ● The provision of recreational activities and/or facilities with a view to improving the conditions of life for those who the activities/facilities are primarily intended for. In furtherance of these objectives the club endeavours to provide a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment for all to enjoy the sport. Irvine Tennis Club is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for local people of all ages and economic backgrounds to participate in and enjoy sport. It wants more people to see tennis as a means to keep active, to socialise and to compete. The Club is committed to preventing low income and poverty being a barrier to tennis. It is passionate about physical activity and sport being accessible to all. Tennis is seen as the ideal vehicle for children and young people to lay the foundations for lifelong participation in physical activity and sport. It aims to introduce as many local children and young people to tennis as possible, including those with additional support needs. Irvine Tennis Club is focused on providing all members of the local community with the opportunity to play tennis. Locality Irvine Amount requested £100 000
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Brief overview of proposal Irvine Tennis Club (ITC) are requesting funding to develop the facilities at Thornhouse Avenue, which Cabinet recently approved as a Community Asset Transfer to the Club. The aim is to provide all members of the local community with the opportunity to play tennis in a safe and inclusive environment. Despite ITC bringing the Irvine tennis courts back into operation, there is a pressing need to upgrade the facility to put Irvine on a par with other facilities and, also, to ensure ITC can achieve their inclusivity aim of bringing the sport to all. The courts currently have a red ‘blaes’ surface. Red blaes is now considered a legacy surface for tennis courts with most clubs having already replaced these types of court with an all-weather alternative. This surface is unsuitable for wheelchair tennis. The funding would be used to contribute to the installation of a porous asphalt surface, a new internal fence, a timber construction clubhouse with facilities for members and the installation of new floodlighting. The regeneration project, including professional fees and VAT, is in the region of £275k. The Locality Team will help to support ITC as they secure matched funding and planning permission. ITC has already brought the facilities back into use and this investment will further progress effort to provide a positive experience of sport and physical activity, improving fitness, confidence, mental health/wellbeing, social skills and transferable motor skills that can be applied elsewhere. Children and young people are a key target group, since this can lead to a lifetime of participation. Working with Active Schools and other agencies ITC intend to ensure the Club and facility offer real opportunities for children and young people to become engaged in the game. There are also opportunities for volunteering and, in time, coaching and, potentially, employment. Key outcomes: • The courts being actively used will attract people closer to the town centre creating opportunities for local businesses. • There will be opportunity for tennis coaching and development work at the tennis courts. • Volunteering opportunities to help with coaching sessions. • Coaching certificates and accredited qualifications will be awarded in the tennis coaching. • Participation in sport has a positive impact on Physical, Mental, Emotional and Social Wellbeing. • Opportunities to play with friends/family and to participate/compete in teams and social groups • Opportunities to be part of a community club and socialise in organised regular clubs and fun events/competitions. Timescales Autumn 2022 Contact details Elaine Baxter, Locality Officer, Connected Communities ebaxter@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
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Appendix 3 - Community Investment Fund: Proposal to Cabinet Organisation name Kilwinning Community Sports Club for Kilwinning Tennis Brief details of organisation Kilwinning Community Sports Club (KCSC) is a registered charity and has a 99-year lease for the ground. The club is made up of its members, one of which is Kilwinning Rangers and Kilwinning Rangers Youth. KCSC provides pathways for young people to continue to participate in sport and to deliver their aspirations both within sport and the community. Kilwinning Community Sports Club was established in 2000 to bring together a wide range of existing sports interests and clubs from across the town, many with a strong interest in football. The club is now used by around 2,000 local people. Although closely identified with its football activities, which sit at the heart of a hub, KCSC draws the community to varied facilities through which is delivers a wide range of community development, bringing together youth activities, community food provision, kit exchanges, employability skills and health and wellbeing activities. On a weekly basis around 300-400 people participate in activities, with a further 270-330 young people taking part. KCSC has a large gym membership, netball, mini kickers open session and regularly hosts local primary school sports days. The Clubs runs summer programmes which provide food, after school activities with food, movement classes for older people, support for the Dirrans Head Injuries client, Fitba for You which supports men’s mental health and Go Fitba which is a Scottish Football Partnership funded summer programme for primary school children, again providing meals for participants. KCSC runs an employability project that has been continually successful in providing unemployed people with specific training which targets grounds maintenance. The skills that the candidates gain increase their chances of gaining employment within the land-based sector. These skills are also transferable. It also provides the candidates with the opportunity to gain confidence within a working environment, meet new people and build good relationships. Locality Kilwinning Amount requested £55 000
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Brief overview of proposal The last 5 years has seen a resurgence in tennis, particularly influenced by national successes by young players. Community interest is growing and KCSC sees this as an opportunity to introduce tennis and create flexible facilities for tennis and the existing netball teams. The funding will help to convert the existing unused golf range into an all- purpose space for tennis and netball. It will be constructed in a way that will allow it to be adaptable for other activities such as basketball and a concert venue This will help with the sustainability for the organisation and will help to provide further youth activities). KCSC has already managed to secure seating for it to be used as a venue. The project will also provide much needed sustainable community space and facilities no longer available in the town A new formed Tennis club is being constituted to manage the new facility and encourage growth of the sport within the town. The project fits in very well with all of Kilwinning’s Locality Priorities: Skills & Work – KCSC will be utilising local businesses to carry out the development of the project. Community Wellbeing - provides those who don’t have an interest in football the chance to be a part of/involved in the club. A wider offer of activities will promote community wellbeing. Environment & Green open spaces – The project will utilise an area that is unusable in its form. Poverty & Equalities – The project will bring funding to the club, which would allow them to have some free/accessible sessions. KCSC has engaged with: • All local primary schools • Youth membership • Local elected members • Tennis Scotland and Tennis Ayrshire • West Kilbride Tennis Club • West of Scotland Paddle Tennis Club There were also a number of meetings held with Local Authority and National Agencies involved in delivering tennis in our area. Key outcomes: • Tennis and netball facilities for Kilwinning. • Opportunities for tennis coaching and development work at the tennis courts. • Volunteering opportunities to help with coaching sessions. • Participation in sport with its positive impact on Physical, Mental, Emotional and Social Wellbeing. • Opportunities to play with friends/family and to participate/compete in teams and social groups
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• Opportunities to be part of a community club and socialise in organised regular clubs and fun events/competitions. Timescales Autumn 2022 Contact details Louise Riddex, Locality Officer, Connected Communities lriddex@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
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Appendix 4 - Community Investment Fund: Proposal to Cabinet Organisation name Ardrossan Community Association Brief details of organisation The Ardrossan Community Association is responsible for the daily running of the vibrant busy Whitlees Community Centre, which has a full programme of activities and programmes. It is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The Centre has a fully refurbished kitchen and raises income for its social and community support programmes through successful events and local catering contracts. Nearly two years ago this led to the opening of The Quaint Larder. The centre currently has 20 registered volunteers and committee members. Locality Three Towns Amount requested £48 586 Brief overview of proposal Funding will enable the Community Association to better prepare to support their community through the cost-of-living crisis, by: • Employing a part-time support worker for a period of two years, as well as casual /sessional event staff for the development of the catering and Larder provision - the successful candidates will provide support for the wide range of activities that have been created by the centre as during the pandemic and which are needed to support the community through the growing cost-of-living crisis; • Supporting increased catering opportunities and requests, which provide vital income generation and give sustainability of the centre; • Providing learning and development opportunities in a range of contexts that will help to address growing food poverty and engage with a wide range of community members, volunteers, partners, and customers - the range of contexts will take a holistic approach to learning and development, which will focus on personal and family life, health, employability, and financial advice/budgeting; and • Developing and delivering adult education opportunities, with a focus on first steps to accreditation guided by the Adult Education Strategy for Scotland.
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These learning opportunities will effectively help to tackle food poverty by building the capacity of learners to prepare affordable, nutritious meals on a budget, and by using a variety of approaches to address the root causes of food poverty, including education and employability. Existing partnerships with Health & Social Care will be utilised, and where possible, enhanced to enable effective targeting of vulnerable groups, Partners include: HSCP, Children and Families teams, Service Access Social Justice, Turning Point, TACT, Communities and Education Directorate, Ardrossan Youth Association, Ardrossan Community Trust Community Food Systems Network, Three Towns Locality Partnership & North Ayrshire Federation of Community Associations. The Community Association has conducted a survey of all café users and volunteers. There were 326 completed surveys. It also conducted one to one discussions with 20 of the volunteers and discussed proposals with the full Community Association. Although there are very high satisfaction levels in terms of service, the results show that everyone associated with the current operation and delivery agrees that volunteers are literally run off their feet providing a sterling service to the locality, and that it is of paramount importance that the Community Association employs a part time support worker. This funding will also provide the ability through a events/ sessional contract to have paid members of staff to support the volunteers and ensure there is a rota in place which will ensure a balance between volunteer and family life balance achieved. With a focus on local economy the food provision has built excellent relationships with local businesses, who regularly donate to the larder, and by doing so address food waste. The Centre is currently involved in a bulk buying pilot through the Community Larder Support Network and has built up mutually beneficial partnerships with local business. The additional funding will enable the centre to be able to focus on the relationship with the local business in so adding to the economy of Ardrossan. The additional staffing will ensure the Centre can take on and additional events and catering contracts building a long-term business case for a sustainable future. Key outcomes: • Continued development of The Quaint Larder leading to wider access to affordable food for the community; • Increased capacity for individuals and groups to access and prepare affordable, nutritious, and healthy meals; • Increased support through advice and shared learning for other community larders; Increase in Adult Education opportunities; • Increase in training opportunities for volunteer development; • Enhanced employability prospects amongst participants; • Development of partnership with Community Justice and Children and Families; and
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• Increase in income generation by the securing of catering contracts and events. Timescales Autumn 2022 Contact details Angela Morrell, 3 Towns LP Lead Officer, Connected Communities amorrell@north-ayrshire.gov.uk