15. CIF Update - Cabinet - 27.09.2022 (AS Approved)
North Ayrshire Council · 27 September 2022
Back to Cabinet — 27 September 2022 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 27 September 2022 Cabinet Title: Community Investment Fund (CIF) Update Purpose: To advise Cabinet of progress in relation to the Community Investment Fund Recommendation: That Cabinet notes the achievements to date of the initiatives supported by the Community Investment Fund. 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 Partnerships and within the context of North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership’s Local Outcomes Improvement Plan and Fair for All Strategy. In June 2021, Cabinet approved a further £1m top-up for the funding, with a further £2m following in autumn 2021. 1.2 Locality Partnerships have worked with groups within our communities to develop proposals for expenditure from the Community Investment Fund (CIF) in line with their locally identified needs. 1.3 This report provides an overview of the themes, achievements and expenditure to 31st July 2022 reflected in the CIF applications. 2. Background 2.1 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 Partnerships. This was set within the context of North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership’s Fair for All Strategy and Local Outcomes Improvement Plan; and the Council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy. This allocation was supplemented by Cabinet in June and November 2021. 2.2 It was agreed that the CIF would support proposals and projects that connect with: • The North Ayrshire Fair for All Strategy; • The Community Planning Partnership and Locality priorities; and • North Ayrshire Council’s values, priorities and business objectives. • The Community Wealth Building and Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Strategies;
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• Fulfil a compelling need and do 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; • 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 CIF proposals are developed in conjunction with Locality Partnerships through an expression of interest process. Applications are decided by the Locality Partnership before making a proposal to Cabinet for approval. The table below provides information on the CIF allocation per locality and the balances available. Table 1: CIF Allocation and Balances 2.4 It can be seen from this analysis that over half of the CIF allocation from the first funding allocation has been awarded to date. It is still anticipated that there will be an acceleration in the rate of applications over the next year due to the Locality Partnerships re-establishing their priorities, new membership, community ambitions in relation to recovery and renewal, and the confidence to bring forward further proposals which comes with the additional top up in November 2021. Locality Value of CIF from first funding allocation (2017-18) Balance remaining from first funding allocation 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 £461,699 £464, 604 £290 000 £580 000 £1 163 145 Kilwinning £286 000 £104,810 £231 190 £120 000 £240 000 £414 810 Three Towns £598 000 £261,768 £616 206 £240 000 £480 000 £701 794 Garnock Valley £390 000 £233,500 £241 805 £150 000 £300 000 £598 195 North Coast £468 000 £164,160 £380 445 £170 000 £340 000 £597 555 Arran £104 000 £57,774 £45 226 £30 000 £60 000 £148 774 TOTAL £2 600 000 £1,283,711 £1 979 476 £1 000 000 £2 000 000 £3 772 369
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2.5 Appendix 1 describes the CIF applications which have been approved by the Locality Partnerships and Cabinet along with key achievements to date. Notable highlights include: • The Young People’s Mental Health Project (Arran)- Support has been given to young people in crisis. Two mental health and wellbeing retreats alongside weekly art sessions have been held. £114,450 additional external funding secured. • Clearer Minds young people’s mental health project in the North Coast and Cumbraes through work at Largs Academy. • Digital Irvine Project Officer – Engagement with 726 people supporting digital inclusion. Development of volunteers. Support the distribution of digital devices and provision of training with £283,900 external funding secured. • Irvine Youth and Community Skills Hub - The Youth Legacy Hub has worked in partnership to run a series of employability workshops. National Galleries hired the venue and held a series of art workshops in partnership with Irvine locality team and Employability and Skills have hired the space for their developing young workforce event. The project employs 8 members of staff. • McGavin Park - Completion of transformation of the former tennis court area into a community playpark and outdoor gym to encourage health and wellbeing. Funding recently awarded for latest phase including an assault course and separate link crossover from the play area to the central path network. • Almswell Park Pitch - Community Asset Transfer as well as all works to the park are now complete. The group now has a brand new 4g pitch installed, along with new, lower energy use LED floodlights. £144, 656.86 additional external funding secured. • The Training Station – Building fully renovated and open for community use. Used by 10 different local clubs providing a wide variety of activities. Over half a million pounds in additional external funding secured. • Ardrossan Community Sports Hub - The gym is open and membership continues to grow. Activities to suit all needs are in place and managed by staff and 12 volunteers. • Garnock Valley Men’s Shed – Renovations completed including a kitchen, office, music room and scale-modelling room. Online events during the pandemic, including a men’s health event, have led to increased membership. • YOUth Lead - Young people organised and delivered activities for the community throughout the COVID period, delivering activities for children, delivering food provision for isolated people as well as befriending isolated young people. 39 young people volunteering throughout the last year. 4 young people that volunteered now work for Beith Trust- creating 4 jobs. Contributed to the delivery of the Summer Programme and Holiday Meals programme in Beith. • Sing Your Song – Adult and children’s choirs teaching breathing techniques and providing support around emotional and social wellbeing in the North Coast and Cumbraes Locality Partnership. Moved to online provision during the pandemic with support of 2 volunteer roles. • Millport Town Hall – Feasibility study, business case and Community Asset Transfer complete. Tenders for building work received. Significant additional external funding awarded - £2,940,555. 2.6 All the CIF awarded initiatives meet the criteria as outlined in 2.2. Of the 34 projects: • 11 have a focus on children and young people, • Addressing social isolation or mental health issues is a key theme in 9, • Supporting physical activity is evident in 7, and
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• Aligning with Community Wealth Building- Better use of land and assets through the regeneration of buildings and spaces is supported in 14. 2.7 A total of 48 employment and 786 volunteering opportunities have been supported via CIF funding to date. 2.8 CIF awards have supported the leverage of £6 049 233.80 in additional funding. The majority of this is from external sources such as Lottery and Scottish Government. For each £1 of CIF granted £3.05 has been awarded in additional funding. 3. Proposals 3.1 It is proposed that Cabinet notes the achievements to date of the initiatives supported by the Community Investment Fund. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 CIF funding is allocated within existing resources. Total awards by the Locality Partnerships to date have been £1 979 476. £6 049 234 of additional funding has been secured by CIF projects, significantly increasing the investment from the Council. For each £1 of CIF granted £3.05 has been awarded in additional funding. Human Resources 4.2 Funding has been provided to employ a Digital Officer and Development Worker. Employment opportunities hosted by external organisations have also been provided as detailed in Appendix 1. 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. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 Improving the environment is a key theme in the Three Town’s Growers’ CIF-funded Environmental Worker, Raise Your Voice for Ardeer and Kilwinning Locality Partnership’s McGavin Park CIF project. Key Priorities 4.6 The proposals contained within the report support the North Ayrshire Council Plan priorities: • Active and strong communities,
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• Inclusive, growing and enterprising local economy and • People enjoy good life-long health and wellbeing. Community Wealth Building 4.7 Add information on the community benefits of the proposals. Please refer to the Guidance for Report Authors for more information on the wider Community Wealth Building implications which must be included. If there aren’t any then add “None.” 5. Consultation 5.1 Each of the CIF proposals contained within this report have been developed and approved by the Locality Partnerships, through project-specific consultation with local people, including young people. Audrey Sutton Executive Director (Communities & Education) For further information please contact Rhona Arthur, Head of Service (Connected Communities), on 01294 324415. Background Papers Appendix 1: CIF Applications Approved by LPs and Cabinet to 31.07.22, achievements and funding.
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1 Appendix 1 Community Investment Fund Applications Approved by Locality Partnerships and Cabinet to 31.07.22 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged Arran Locality Partnership Arran The Young People’s Mental Health Project – Arran Youth Foundations and Arran High School Parent Council Funding will be used to improve mental health and wellbeing services for children and young people on Arran. The project has made a significant difference, helping young people in crisis and helping to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need in order to have more positive mental health and wellbeing. It has supported: • Counselling for a young person in a crisis, • Art psychotherapy, which has tackled both social isolation by bringing young people together to express themselves, and reduced inequality, by providing group and one-to-one art therapy for marginalised young people, • Inaugural mental health and wellbeing retreat bringing together young people from around the island, giving them the time and space to explore their mental health issues. 2 Sessional Youth Workers £45,226 Children in Need: £76 950 Robertson Trust: £37,500
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2 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged Since the 2021 update, the Community Investment Fund money has funded weekly group art psychotherapy sessions and one-to- one art psychotherapy sessions for young people. A short film about this project can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= 5Xsd0zFllCc As with last year, it funded a second annual mental health and wellbeing retreat, held in Inverclyde. Funding was also used to fund gym memberships for two young people, and staff undertaking training towards their D1 minibus licence. Garnock Valley Locality Partnership Garnock Valley Men’s Shed Creation of a Men’s Shed to address social isolation and to provide opportunities for community involvement, health and well-being and employment. Renovations within the shed have included re-wiring, re- flooring and new lights and sockets. A fitted kitchen within a social area has been fitted. A music room and a bespoke scale-modelling room, with six workstations, have been built. An office facility with access to CCTV £28,000 Barr Environmental: £5400 Jewson Building Better Communities award: £4000 Screwfix: £5000 Co-op: £800 Tesco Bags for Life: £2000
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3 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged and IT facilities has been renovated. Roof repairs are complete. While use of the facility has been restricted during the pandemic they were able to stay in touch with many members through online events and groups, as well as holding fortnightly Trustees meetings. As a result of this they have been able to increase membership and also take on two new trustees. They issued free scale model kits and tools to men in isolation or shielding and with established a Zoom modelling group. They held a men’s health event online. They issued shedders with iPads to support digital participation. Foundation Scotland: £3000 Connecting Scotland: 8 x iPads Scotland’s Learning Partnership: £1000 Dalry Parish Boundary: Trust £5000 Garnock Valley Men’s Shed The proposal is to further develop the Garnock Valley Men’s Shed (GVMS) now that it has secured its community asset transfer through the replacement of an obsolete oil heating system which is no As a result of this funding, GVMS are to deliver a range of projects in a safe, warm and comfortable environment, such as: • Training courses on lathe/machinery operation; • Scale model building group; • Music group & custom guitar project; The shed has 8 trustees and over 60 members. One previously unemployed trustee moved on to employment and is now £20,000
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4 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged longer operation and has been removed. • Volunteering opportunities for all shedders; • Wooden bench construction; • Wooden shed construction; and • Bespoke community projects. about to start their own business. Garnock Valley Travel Needs Analysis Travel Needs Analysis to investigate what can be done to improve accessibility to employment, education, social and leisure activities and health services. Pre-pandemic, the Working Group was progressing with assistance from Stagecoach and SPT. The project was put on hold during the pandemic however they are currently carrying out a project with Planning Aid Scotland, which will act as a precursor to the TNA and help inform it. Officers are currently refreshing the consultants brief, with a view to sending out in September and carrying out the project late 2022/early 2023. £25,000 Garnock Valley Geilsland Hall Part of a wider package of funding support to support the role of the development manager whose remit is to continue to develop both Geilsland Hall as an Covid 19 saw the learning programme expanded as they switched to an online training curriculum where they have been able to provide accessible training for the community and volunteers, achieving 276 work related qualifications for 80 local people. Operational Manager Kickstart – 5, Community Job Scotland – 3 Sessional Staff - 3 £45,000 Investing in Communities Fund, Robertson Trust
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5 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged important community asset and a volunteering, learning and employability project aimed at supporting learning and skills development. They have over 31 different types of courses delivered. The Operational Manager post led the Covid response from Beith Trust, which saw the growth of the Lend an Ear programme (which supports lonely and isolated people. They have made 3301 calls to 130 clients.) and the community food provision in the form of cooked meals delivery and community shopper. The post also managed the approach to volunteer response to the pandemic, ensuring it was safe and properly managed. The outdoor play programmes for families and children have seen 166 people attending. They are delivering two job creation programmes for young people. This post saw 150 volunteering opportunities supported across telephone befriending, food systems 150 volunteers
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6 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged and meals delivery, with over 5500 volunteer hours contributed. This project has come to a close and is awaiting final monitoring report. Garnock Valley Garnock Valley 2020 - The Facilities and Amenities Working Group, which is a subgroup of the LP Funding is sought for costs to carry out an extensive community engagement exercise to shape the Garnock Valley 2020 vision. This will identify and collate the community assets and positives within each of the areas, create a baseline of current perceptions of the Garnock Valley and identify what people like and are proud of. This would work towards helping to create a picture of what a positive Garnock Valley would look like and would Following a lengthy delay due to covid, this project was sent out for tender and a consultant has now been appointed. Initial meetings have taken place and consultants will meet working group on 7th September. £15,000
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7 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged develop a delivery route map and role profile for a Development Worker to develop the vision and activities aligned to it. Garnock Valley YOUth Lead – Beith Trust YOUth Lead will consist of fun and participative learning experiences where young people can discover, explore and develop their skills and talents. You Lead works concurrently across 2 strands - Facilitating the development of young leaders and equipping them with appropriate knowledge and skills to lead and volunteer within their community - Facilitating youth volunteering / This project has provided greater access for young people to access training qualifications and boost their confidence. It has developed opportunities for isolated young people to connect with other young people. YOUth Lead has trained young people to support other isolated young people through COVID. The training programmes look specifically at developing leadership skills in activities, many focussed around Beith Astro facility. The volunteering opportunities allowed YOUth Lead to work hard in the community, particularly during COVID, helping them realise that they can make a difference. YOUth Lead Coordinator 39 Volunteers 4 jobs created £43,500 The funding for the YOUth Lead Coordinator post will be match-funded by the Scottish Government Investing in Communities Fund and Robertson Trust.
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8 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged leadership experiences within local clubs, groups, events and festivals Young people will work through a programme in the following chosen areas–Art, Hospitality or Sport. Young people have organised and delivered activities for the community throughout the COVID period, delivering activities for children, delivering food provision for isolated people as well as befriending isolated young people. They have had 39 young people volunteering throughout the last year. 4 young people that volunteered now work for Beith Trust- creating 4 jobs. This project contributed to the delivery of the Summer Programme and Holiday Meals programme in Beith. The project has now come to an end, however Beith Trust are continuing the work of the Leadership Programme. . Garnock Valley Garnock Valley Men’s Shed - Heating System Replacement Replacement of an obsolete oil heating system which is no longer in operation and has been removed and to install a FAR Infrared Building has undergone insulation prior to heating insulation being viable. Building ceiling/roof area is now fully insulated and ready for heating installation, which will take place as soon as installation engineers are ready. £20,000
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9 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged system that is electronically controlled, with Genius Hub room sensors and controls. This will allow the Mens Shed to fully utilise the building as community asset to address loneliness and social isolation amongst men in the Garnock Valley. Garnock Valley Café Solace - Development Worker Together with the assistance of other funding partners, this funding will contribute to Café Solace establishing a new post of a full-time Food Development Worker for a period of three years. The new Food Development Worker will provide learning and development Café Solace has used the CIF award to match-fund a lottery Improving Lives application, for which a further £50,000 has now been granted. Recruitment process now underway for the new post. 1 full time post 10 Café Solace volunteers £49,723 The National Lottery Communities Fund: £50,000
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10 Locality Name Summary Key achievements to date Employment/ volunteering opportunities supported Amount awarded Additional Funding Leveraged opportunities in a range of contexts that will help to address food poverty and engage with a wide range of customers /partners. Garnock Valley Geilsland Courtyard Feasibility Study To carry out a feasibility study as the next stage of development on the Geilsland Site and develop plans for the replacement of the existing ‘packing shed’ building. The study will equip Beith Trust with the information and costs required to secure capital funding and take the project to the next stage. A consultant has been appointed and work has now started. Beith Trust has submitted a Regeneration Capital Grant Fund Stage 1 application and feedback is expected late summer 2022. £15,582
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11 Irvine Locality Partnership Irvine Digital Officer Appointment of a “Digital Irvine” Project Officer to inspire and connect community, educational and business initiatives in Irvine to promote digital inclusion, participation and skills development This post has come to the end of its temporary contract and next Digital Irvine initiative was approved by Cabinet in August 2022. The Digital Participation Officer supported the Locality Partnership and Locality Officer to match social and physical infrastructure to meet the needs of Irvine Communities. • The Digital Irvine Project has engaged had 476 engagements involving 726 people and 19 community organisations. • 9 digital champions were recruited and underwent training to enable them to deliver digital training to residents. • Digital Irvine infrastructure Upgrade - £80,000 worth of computer equipment was purchased and installed in community centres across Irvine. • 424 tablets, laptops and data provided to local people, and one- to-one support provided. • As part of NA Community Leadership Collective training provided for community groups and organisations. Project Officer 9 Volunteer Digital Champions £80,855 Scottish Government for digital infrastructure: £80,000 Connecting Scotland – 424 devices (laptops, chrome books and iPads) all with mi-fi connections: £203,900
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12 • 198 devices secured supporting households with children, care leavers and those who are digitally excluded and 150 devices working in partnership with Greenwood Academy and Irvine Royal Academy and associated cluster primary schools – supporting households with children from Connected Scotland Phase 2. Irvine Irvine Newtown Men’s Shed Following moving into new premises in August 2019 in Bourtreehill Village funding was required to support the upgrading of the new premises, specifically to make it wheelchair accessible and to create a disabled toilet. The funding was also used to paint the premises, partition the workshop area and provide a protected, seating area for recreation and an IT area for Due to circumstances, the pressures of the pandemic and issues with suppliers supplying specialist equipment there have been difficulties in progressing the planned work schedule. The group has upgraded their kitchen space with new kitchen units, kitchen equipment, and paint and wallpapering. They have created a breakout space for model making, which has been partially decorated and re-wired by an electrician. The main workshop also has benches in place with equipment set up. The organisation is entirely run by volunteers, with in the region of 70 members in total signed up as members. £10,000 The National Lottery Communities Fund: £8661
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13 the safe use of donated computers. Funding was also used to purchase equipment and machinery. Irvine Harbourside Men’s Shed The funding requested was for building adaptations to create the working and digital space for the group within premises leased by the Scottish Maritime Museum at 36B Kyle Road. CIF funding was spent on the purchase of materials, wood, and the installation of joinery work to install a dividing wall. The Men’s Shed have developed the internal space, with an upgraded kitchen area with a newly installed kitchen units. There is a partitioned room created for hobby crafts. The main workshop has been set up with various benches, lathes, and equipment purchased and in place. A lowered ceiling has been installed, which has been reinforced to house an upstairs section which is still in development, and are currently working towards installing stairs. The remaining funding has paid for the materials needed to upgrade the electrical work including replacing all the wiring, installation of smoke alarms, and upgrading the lights to energy efficient LED bulbs. £10,000 Irvine Vineburgh and Fullarton Community Enablers who will engage with the Funding supported the development of the youth group. This has focused on addressing challenging 2 Community Enablers employed £100,000 Walk n Talk groups: £2000
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14 Community Enablers community to find opportunities to tackle issues such as the provision of dignified food, isolation, alcohol and drug addictions and to support lifestyle changes, build confidence and develop support networks. behaviour, mental health support and substance misuse amongst the young people. Through the engagement with young people information was passed onto Police Scotland who addressed issues of drug dealing within the community to try and combat dealing amongst peers within the group. Young people are benefiting from increased self- esteem and self-regulation tools. Partnership working is taking place with Irvine Royal, NHS, Police Scotland, navigators (based at A&E) and local children’s units. 1:1 support has been given with referrals from Turning Point Scotland, Aberlour, HSCP, Police Scotland, and Ayrshire College 3 thematic community groups have been established, and routes into volunteering developed for community members. 165 supported into volunteering NA Participatory Budgeting: £1700 Community Recovery and Renewal Fund: £1000 Irvine Youth and Community Skills Hub – Irvine Youth Forum Development of one-stop Youth and Community Skills Hub in Irvine Town Centre will The Youth Legacy Hub has worked in partnership with NAC Youth Services who ran a series of employability workshops during Easter and hired the kitchen and The project will employ a full time Hub Coordinator, 2 x youth £100,000 The group are currently applying for National Lottery Young Start Funding of
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15 target young people from P7 upwards and include young people in specialised projects through which qualifications may be achieved. community space to deliver their programme. Irvine Youth Forum also hosted HMIE inspectors who visited the project as part of their inspection. National Galleries have hired the venue and held a series of art workshops in partnership with Irvine locality team. Employability and skills have hired the space for their developing young workforce event. Additional funding was also sourced for installation of a disabled toilet (£13,000). workers, 4 x sessional youth workers and 1 x venue assistant. between £100,000 - £150,000 Kilwinning Locality Partnership Kilwinning McGavin Park Community play park and outdoor gym to encourage health and wellbeing. Completion of transformation of the former tennis court area into a community playpark and outdoor gym to encourage health and wellbeing. The outdoor gym has proved very popular with the public, especially during the recent lockdowns when indoor facilities have been closed. There is increased access to green space and leisure, and health £35,000 £45,000 Land Trust: £50,000 Solar Farm: £20,000 McGavin Park Fund: £2232.61 Kilwinning Town Charitable Trust: £15 000
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16 improvements with access to play facilities and the gym. Social isolation has been addressed as families, young people and older people have met in the park. The local Primary Schools come on Fridays as a treat for the children, as do the local nurseries. Funding was recently awarded for the latest phase for the introduction of an assault course and separate link crossover from the play area to the central path network. Kilwinning Multi-Purpose Youth and Community Hub - Kilwinning Rangers FC Conversion of portacabins to form a 433 square metre flexible community space to address the capacity issues for youth and other activities in the main clubhouse building. A large, fully accessible, multi-functional space will be created through the removal of dividing walls, with Building work progression with significant local support. Recent additional funding confirmed from CIF to support increased build costs. 11 portacabins, some of which were had been vandalised, have been transformed into an integrated series of community spaces, with some underpinning business space as the sustainable income stream. The finish is high-end, inside and out. This has been achieved by volunteers and the support and philanthropy of local businesses. The space is now insured for a value of £270k. It is available for community £41,190 £15,000 Scottish Landfill Trust: £10000 Over 30 local firms contributing and hundreds of volunteering hours
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17 works also to include a Youth Zone and the construction of toilets. In addition, the affordable office and rental space for small local businesses in the hubs helps to provide the sustainability for the organisation and this will help to provide further youth activities bookings via Kilwinning Community Sports Club and regular bookings will include daily afterschool clubs, youth activities, yoga and Zumba. There is a bar area for use at community events and on match-days. Opening is planned later this month. The Club is now exploring new community projects. Kilwinning Almswall Park Pitch Replacement Contribution towards the cost of a replacement pitch, providing a 4G surface at Almswall Park, a hub for outdoor football, physical activity and community programmes Community Asset Transfer as well as all works to the park are now complete. The group now has a brand new 4g pitch installed, along with new, lower energy use LED floodlights. The group continue to lease the Blacklands Hall for community use and they have a range of programmes available for all ages. £45,000 NAC CAT Start Up Funding: £10000 Scottish FA: £125,000 Scottish football partnership: £19656.86 Kilwinning Corsehill Playpark Community Playpark to The group has secured CIF money and received quotes for the playpark. They are currently in discussion with £50,000
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18 encourage Health & Wellbeing. NAC Housing around the land and how it can be used, as well as looking at a lease from NAC. The group has established itself as a separate entity from the Corsehill Parent Council and have a constitution in place. The new group is called Corsehill Community Champions. Although match-funding will be sought, this cannot progress until the land use is resolved. North Coast and Cumbraes Locality Partnership North Coast and Cumbraes Cycling Without Age Cycling Without Age to help the elderly get back on their bicycles, using trishaws and intergenerational volunteering. Investment in trishaws was completed and there was use prior to the pandemic with over 20 care homes and a large number of trained volunteers. The project is currently inactive and locality officers are working with Largs Youth Forum and KA Leisure to progress. £22,800 North Coast and Cumbraes Development Worker This is a new post/service and will be dedicated to a specific range of activities supporting the Locality Partnership priorities. It is envisaged that the post holder will Due to COVID there was a delay in the recruitment. The worker started in post in May of last year. The post will end/funding will be spent by mid- end Sept 22. The Living Room Project has been paused, as the partners reassess their capacity for delivery. Development Worker x1 £35,947
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19 work with local groups to develop Community Investment Fund applications, external funding applications and stimulate growth and development of support for these priorities. The worker has been engaging with different groups in the locality and looking at what work can be done to help tackle the priorities. Various new groups have been set up including LGBT youth group, sports group, and an iPad for beginners’ class in Skelmorlie. The worker continues to give a progress report at LP meetings. As the post is in its last 6 months, the worker will be looking at which groups can bring CIF bids to the LP and supporting them to do this. North Coast and Cumbraes Clearer Minds The group will work with mental health specialists, HeadStrong to deliver a new programme to support Largs Academy pupils to improve resilience, build coping strategies, speak out, value each other and ensure change, hope and positive mental health. An extensive programme was conducted with pupils, staff and families. Mental health support is now being taken forward through a range of mainstreamed programmes and integration into the Largs Wellness Model. £30,200 Youth PB: £1200 PB:£1200 Unison: £500
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20 North Coast and Cumbraes Millport Town Hall Promote community regeneration and civic pride within local communities through the regeneration of a landmark, heritage building, developing local community-based facilities that meet community needs for a sizeable, indoor venue and contributing to the community’s health and wellbeing. Significant milestones include: • Feasibility Study and Business Plan completed, • Website launched, and • Community Asset Transfer complete. Covid 19 caused a delay for the project, both in fundraising capability due to repurposing of funds by major funders and travel to and from the island. They also faced unexpected bills due to further deterioration in the building due to delays and subsequent additional surveys. Extra planning applications have also had to be submitted and paid for. Submitted tender documents from contractors are undergoing scrutiny along with mathematical checks and technical audits. Once a contractor is chosen the build phase can commence. They have one employee and are about to advertise a two year post for a Community Liaison Officer. Work continues to support the group as they seek funding for phase 2. One employee to date £200 ,000 Regeneration Capital Grants Fund (more than one award): £2,940,555 Scottish Landfill Communities Fund: £26498 National Lottery Community Led Fund: £114,108 Adapt and Thrive Programme: £54,500 EB Scotland Landfill: £82,350
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21 North Coast and Cumbraes Sing Your Song Community wellbeing project to foster community cohesion, combat stress, anxiety and social isolation through a programme of musical therapy. The adult choir teaches breathing techniques which may be used by anyone with breathing problems and have proven benefits. There is also a social side to the choir as the songs and games are great fun and all of them have particular value. The children’s choirs use games and songs to learn breathing control, rhythm, pitch etc. The songs taught are taken from Fischy Music a Scottish company whose songs support the emotional, social and well being of young people. During the pandemic and beyond the project has taken the form of on-line provision therefore full spend did not take place within the timescale. The group should be due to end by the end of summer. The group are still working with other funding providers on long-term sustainability, however, this project is due to come to a close and is awaiting final monitoring report. 2 volunteer roles £14,892 North Coast and Cumbraes WKCIL - Tech & Creative A new technical and creative training employability The first year’s funding of £5949 has been released to the group. This is to buy the resources required and start planning the training programme. £76 605 (Yr 1) £5949 (Yr 2) £30 528 (Yr 3) £40 128)
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22 Training and AV service project focusing on audio-visual, digital and video skills for those in the North Coast & Cumbraes locality. The training programme will then start in year 2. Three Towns Locality Partnership Three Towns Ardrossan Community Development Trust Match-funding for a feasibility study to develop a community development trust in Ardrossan to capitalise on and progress the work done by a number of local organisations and initiatives to date. The Ardrossan Community Development Trust is now established, with the aims of increasing opportunities, endeavouring to improve the physical environment of the town, attracting more visitors and reviving the sense of pride in the town. Their first AGM took place in June 2021. They are linking in with and supporting a wide range of projects including Ardrossan South Beach Playpark, Ardrossan Connections, South Beach Deck Chair Project, South Beach Wheelers, Ardrossan Harbour Project, South Beach Putting Green, Ardrossan Castle Hub Project, North Shore Campus, Community Benefit Fund, and Ardrossan Low Carbon Hub. A Regeneration Capital Grant Fund Stage 2 funding application, with the help of a community engagement 9 Volunteer Directors 290 community members £25,000 Cunninghame Housing Association: £5000 Our Place (Lottery): £10,000 Our Place (Lottery): £250,000 Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grants Fund: £748,000
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23 programme and social return on investment survey was successful in securing £748 000 at the end of 2021. Since then ACDT has worked closely with the Council officers to progress their projects, securing planning permission to convert the old toilet block into a community café and facility. Power has recently been installed in the container for the deckchair and beach-accessible wheelchair loans. Three Towns Three Towns Growers Environmental Development Worker who will offer learning opportunities for local people involved in growing and wider environmental learning and make the Three Towns a “centre of environmental excellence.” Due to the pandemic there had been a delay in the use of the funding. The Development Worker has now been appointed. Funding will be fully spent once the post has been occupied for 3 years. There is currently an under spend and the group will be looking to put another Community Investment fund application in. £100,000 Our Place funding: £350,000 Three Towns Training Station Promote community regeneration and civic pride within local communities The building has been fully renovated and is open for community use. 6 self- employed instructors £50,000 Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund: £150,000
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24 through the re- purposing of a category B listed building, developing local community-based facilities that meet community needs and contributing to the community’s health and wellbeing. A SCIO registered charity has been established, created with the purpose of providing a facility to improve the health/wellbeing of those in the Saltcoats area by increasing participation in sport and other activities by advertising member organisations. It is used by 10 clubs, providing a wide variety of activities to local people: • Dance • Tae Kwon Do • Karate • Table Tennis • Pilates • Yoga • Keep fit • Kids Karate classes • Fishing club Gatherings • Line dancing Self employed cleaner sportsscotland £76 150 Railway Heritage £125 000 Scot Rail £165 000 Three Towns Raise Your Voice with Ardeer Creation of premises to form a multi-function community facility. Located at Shore Road, Stevenston Beach (beside the sports pitch, There was a delay in building work due to the discovery of sewage issues as well as supply delays. Sewage issues are now resolved. This has added considerably to the costs (see below) and together with £100,000 Town Centre Fund: £50,000 Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund: £130,000
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25 playground and carpark at the beach), the multi- function facility will provide local services to support tourism, community and environmental activities. problems with Scottish Power have delayed the project by 6 months. Three Towns Raise Your Voice for Ardeer - additional funding To cover the cost of construction work and materials as prices had significantly increased since obtaining the original funding in 2020. Additional funding has been applied for capital and revenue costs. The building has arrived and is in place. Water has been connected and the power connections, although delayed should be completed in September. It is anticipated that the facility will be open in the later autumn. 1 development work 3 kitchen staff 1 caretaker Supported by around 12 volunteers £130,000 £50,000 Three Towns Ardrossan Castle Community Heritage Hub Feasibility study for a community heritage hub. The organisation wishes to develop a small community heritage hub located on Ardrossan Castle Hill, to promote Ardrossan Castle Work completed with partners in Historic Environment Scotland, heritage professionals and architects to produce a hub design proposal. Covid-related restrictions have impacted community consultation, but plans are in place to progress this as restrictions lift. Officers are in the process of organising a visioning workshop with 10 volunteers £17,912
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26 as a tourist destination. them in late August and they will be updating at the September Locality Partnership meeting. Three Towns Community Gym – Ardrossan Community Sports Hub Aim to take the former Maximum Potential community gym assets and facilities, within the grounds of the derelict Seafield School site, into community ownership to operate it as a community gym. As well as weights and general fitness equipment, the community gym will offer youth and adult sports training on astro turf, including football and yoga The award was for employment of 1 full time Gym Manager and 1 part time Gym Coach. Employment started in April 2021. The gym is open and membership continues to grow. Activities to suit all needs are in place and managed by staff. They have encouraged members of the community from differing backgrounds to participate. The service provides a place where people can meet and develop strategies to improve both physical and mental health. They have membership from across the community, in particular, the most deprived areas. They have recruited 12 volunteers, with the aim of providing fitness qualifications which will allow them to take classes and have an income. They are in the process of recruiting 3 people from the Kickstart scheme and will provide these recruits with fitness qualifications to increase their Gym Manager Gym Assistant 12 volunteers £43,320 A North Ayrshire Ventures Trust funding application was approved for £30 000 in August 2022
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27 employability after the period on the scheme has ended, this may also include taking paid classes for the gym. Three Towns SALT - Winton Circus Playpark To upgrade the existing play park at Winton Circus and to promote a healthier lifestyle for local residents by providing much improved facilities to encourage more outdoor play. £48,288 Coastal Playpark Fund: £104,000 Local fundraising: £10,000 Three Towns Ardrossan Community Development Trust - Development Officer To employ a Community Development Officer initially for 18 months. The role of the postholder post is to increase ACDT’s ability to continue to be the catalyst and focus for regeneration activity within Ardrossan. A Community Development Officer and is working closely with the Localities Team to progress the ACDT projects. £53,100