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| The Angus Community Planning Partnership is committed to establishing a two way flow of information between members of the community and partners. The 'Latest news' section of this site allows you to monitor the work of the Angus Community Planning Partnership. |
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For the past two years the Angus Citizens Panel has played an important role in reflecting the views of the people of Angus on services, information and activities in the area.
If you are interested in finding out more about the surveys already carried out, summaries of the results are available.
Latest news
Latest New Publications
The
Angus Community Plan Progress Report & Review 2004-2005 (PDF 3319K) is
now available
Communications
Strategy Update Report 2005 (PDF 38K)
| June 2005 |
| Angus Community Planning Partnership Conference |
| Around 100 delegates attended the third Angus Community Planning Conference held in The Carnoustie Golf Hotel on 9 June. Members of the local community joined representatives from the Angus Community Planning Partnership organisations to discuss the long term vision and plans for the county. |
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The conference was chaired by Councillor Rob
Murray, the chairman of the Angus Community Planning Partnership. Councillor
Murray advised that "he was pleased with the progress being made in
Angus". He advised that since last year's conference partnership's at
both county and local level have got some significant achievements under
their belts, the range of which reflects the diversity of our agenda and
highlights the challenges we face in our communities, he continued. "
At a local level people have continued to get involved with their community
partnerships, with groups now making a very real contribution to the life of
their communities whether through village festivals, or improved transport
services." The keynote speaker for the day was Mr Douglas Sinclair, Chair of Solace Scotland, who set the scene of the conference by giving a national perspective on community planning. Thereafter Sandy Watson (OBE), Chief Executive, Angus Council provided the Angus context followed by Vivien Smith, Community Planning Manager on the development of local community planning. Workshops then followed which provided the opportunity for delegates to discuss both the issues arising from the Angus Community Planning Partnership Planning day and the meeting held with chairs of the local area partnerships. Discussion and main action points arising will be included within the conference report which will be available shortly. |
| May 2005 |
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The First State of the Environment Report for
Angus was launched at a recent seminar, held on Friday 6 May at the Angus Business Centre, Angus College,
Arbroath. The seminar was hosted by the Angus Environment Forum part of the
Angus Community Planning Partnership. The morning consisted of presentations
by forum members on different topic areas of the report followed by
discussion on the local issues associated with them. The document provides a
"snapshot" of the Angus environment as it is now and provides a
baseline against which future progress can be measured. The report can be viewed by
clicking on the following link:- State of
the Environment Report (PDF 3105K) |
| April 2005 |
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A meeting with representatives from local area partnerships and the community planning team was held on 27 April 2005. The purpose of the meeting was to improve awareness of and make the links with community planning activity across Angus, as well as providing the opportunity for local area partnerships to share and learn from experiences. It was acknowledged that the partnerships already have some excellent work under their belts as each one starts to address particular needs in their own communities. This has included the creation of welcome/information packs for new residents; the staging of events to bring people together, such as arts and music festivals and Christmas celebrations; the installation of additional local signs and an open day which focused on the needs of young people in a community. The meeting gave the partnership chairs the opportunity to talk about what they are involved in locally but it also allowed them to find out what other areas were doing and how this could be built on across the county. Everyone in attendance agreed that there was still scope to expand on activities locally but it was also acknowledged that there was benefit in learning more about, and influencing, the broader Angus wide plans which affect all communities. All those who attended agreed that the meeting had been a useful first step in this process and as a result have agreed to meet annually. |
| March 2005 |
| Angus Community Planning Partnership Planning Day -11 March at the Angus Digital Media Centre, Brechin |
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The Angus Community Planning Partnership (ACPP)decided to hold a planning day to discuss the top three priorities for each partner organisation represented on the partnership, with a view to identifying potential synergies and actions for partnership work over the coming year. The Partnership also wished to explore the linkages with the thematic partnership groups of the ACPP therefore the Chairs of each thematic partnership group were invited to attend and contribute to the planning day. Finally, the issue of linking local area partnership activity with Angus wide community planning was considered to be an essential element of the day. The
Convener of the ACPP, Councillor Rob Murray opened the day by welcoming
participants and setting out the objectives for the day.
Sandy
Watson (OBE), Chief Executive of Angus Council, gave a presentation to
participants, setting the context for the days discussions, and representing
research findings from Carol Petrie’s dissertation on the Contribution of
Customer Feedback in Community Planning. All of the partners were asked to submit high level priorities prior to the day in order that these could be collated and available prior to the event to aid discussion on the day. (This paper is available at Appendix 3 of the planning day report). The
purpose of the group discussion in the morning workshop was to agree a small
number of priorities that the ACPP would wish to pursue over the coming
year. Priorities have already been agreed for thematic and local partnership planning as set out in the community Plan Progress Report and Review. It had become evident that it would also be useful to agree a small number of priorities to be agreed, developed, implemented and monitored by the ACPP, given the decision making abilities of representatives involved in this partnership group. It was agreed that the ACPP, as a partnership, has matured enough to anticipate that this will result in positive community planning action in Angus. The
discussion was intended to be free flowing, with opportunities to pick up on
any partnership possibilities emerging from individual organisational
priorities, as discussed around the table or contained in the Partnership
priorities report. It also
enabled partners to think ‘out of the box’ in terms of their own
organisational context on Angus. Workshop groups were asked to try to come to an agreement on their top six priorities. The discussions were lively and informative and resulted in a number of issues being identified for further action which are contained in the planning day report. |
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Local Partnerships - Updates on the work of the Local Partnerships is detailed below:- |
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Arbroath and Area- Clifftop safety signs, which the safety sub-group has been planning and fund-raising for, are about to be erected. Publicity has resulted in a media debate over other safety requirements at the cliffs, likely to be considered by future partnership meetings. The communities sub-group continues to organise Credit Union information sessions throughout Angus and has been successful in its funding bid to Communities Scotland for a feasibility study. The partnership has been featured in a Radio North Angus programme, the first in what is intended to become regular feature. The partnership’s AGM in May is to be linked to an information event, allowing local organisations – whether they attend meetings or not – to publicise themselves. A litter event is planned for later in the year, as a culmination of various activities (such as displays in the Abbeygate and a schools competition possibly linked to the development of a computer game). The partnership has agreed to again take a stall at the Seafront Spectacular in July. |
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City
of Brechin It has been agreed that the experimental coach pick up/set down arrangement agreed with the partnership last year is to be continued for a further 12 months, allowing publicising to coach tour companies to begin. The partnership continues to explore a more permanent solution. Improvements to the partnership’s website are being put in place. A request for assistance in improving some out of date features on a tourist board promoting the City of Brechin at the Brechin Castle Centre looks likely to result in a replacement sign, with updated information on the Town House Museum and the Brechin Paths Network being included. Initial positive meetings have taken place on Civic Week, which will be resurrected this year (on a small scale). Member organisations have contributed to information provided to consultants working on the Townscape Heritage Initiative bid, due to be submitted by end April. A meeting with organisations from the wider surrounding area is being planned, to identify opportunities for improved communication and possible joint working. The current chairperson has announced her intention to stand down at the AGM in June. |
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Carnoustie
‘Carnoustie – Your New Home’, a welcome pack developed by the Partnership, was launched. The pack is aimed at providing comprehensive local information and contacts for those new to the Carnoustie area, and it includes a welcome from the current chair. 500 have been produced and community planning partners, local businesses and community groups have benefited from free advertising. |
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Kirriemuir and The Glens What’s
the Word!?!?, Young People’s event, coordinated by the Partnership was
very successful. The event held
on 19 March at Webster’s Sports Centre and School brought together
approximately 40 service providers and youth organisations within the area
to showcase the range of activities available to young people locally. There
were a wide range of activities and demonstrations taking place during the
day including guest appearances by two of the local youth bands and the
recently launched Youth Bytes! bus at its first outing to an event of this
nature. An
evaluation exercise on the event is currently underway which will be
reported at the next Partnership meeting on the 18 May. Feedback so far has
mainly been of a positive nature. If deemed to be a success the Partnership
will consider holding a similar annual event of this nature. Work on the Kirriemuir businesses and organisations survey has now commenced. The survey aims to establish an inclusive list of contacts to assist the Partnership in reaching out to the wider community in relation to involvement and engagement in the work of the Partnership. |
Monifieth
& Area
The Monifieth Area Partnership held its AGM in January, at which the office bearers were endorsed for a second year. It went on to work with Monifieth Twinning Association, Monifieth Community Council and Monifieth High School to host an event welcoming guests from the village of Soyaux in the Charante Region of France, with which it is twinned, to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Monifieth Twinning Association. The event was formally opened by Councillor Bill Middleton, Provost of Angus. Future
plans include working in partnership with the British Legion on an event to
mark 60 years since the Second World War (VE/VJ Day) for August 2005.
Although in the early stages, it views this very positively and aims
to commence discussions with other relevant groups. In addition, sub-groups continue to work on discussion and planning for the development of the town centre, as well as early stage preparation for the 2005 Christmas event. Presentations to local groups in the rural outlying settlements are underway in an attempt to encourage representation from the whole geographical area on the Monifieth Partnership. |
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Montrose The Partnership held its AGM on 9 March, where new officer bearers were appointed to the posts of Vice Chairman and Treasurer. |
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The Natural Environment Around Montrose -
An opportunity for discussion
The East Areas Board of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) hosted an event in Montrose on Thursday 10 March 2005 at The Links Hotel, to stimulate discussion on issues relating to the natural environment around Montrose. The evening provided an opportunity to discuss issues informally with board members and local SNH area staff and to ask questions about the work of SNH locally. |
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Sidlaw
/ Newtyle Community Network Forum A Community Network
Forum was held on 23 March 2005 at Wellbank Hall.
The event was arranged as a follow on from the Sidlaw / Newtyle
seminar in November 2004, where one of the key priorities identified was
road safety and signage issues. Three specific points of action were identified for progression on the night: - · Establishment of regular meetings on road safety in Sidlaw / Newtyle area · Continue to encourage use of ACCESS Line and Crimestoppers · Small funds of money are available for specific road safety activities |
January 2005
Community Plan Progress Report and Review
Work is currently underway on the Community Plan Progress Report and Review for 2004-2005. This was discussed at the first meeting of the Angus Community Planning Partnership of 2005 on 14 January. The plan is likely to be published around March to April 2005, and the main document will be accompanied by a summary and performance supplement.
Review of Decentralisation Arrangements - Area Forums
At its
meeting on 7 December 2004, the Strategic Policy Committee approved Report
1462/04 regarding the review of the Council’s decentralisation arrangements.
Following discussions with its community planning partners and community
councils, the Council agreed to move away from the current system of holding
three area forums a year, and to arrange area forum meetings only when there is
a specific proposal or issue upon which the Council wishes to consult with the
wider community.
Monifieth and Arbroath have been identified as pathfinder projects for local community planning and it is proposed to use the findings of these to consider involvement in local community planning.
It
has also been suggested that local area partnerships should hold public meetings
to engage with the local community on taking forward positive measures to
improve their community. In this regard, it is proposed that consideration is
given to the arrangements and support required for local area partnerships to
engage, and perhaps hold consultation events, and, again, use the Monifieth and
Arbroath areas as pathfinder projects.
In this regard, a meeting is to be held with council officers in February 2005 to discuss a possible way forward.
Quarterly report on Community Planning in Angus -Angus Council Strategic Policy Committee
It has been agreed that the Community Planning team will prepare a quarterly report for Angus Councils Strategic Policy Committee reporting on Community Planning activities.
The last report which went to Strategic policy committee on 26 October 2004 can be viewed via this site. Community Planning In Angus Report no.1294/04.
Updates on the local partnerships are detailed below:-
The communities sub-group is planning a number of public meetings, with the assistance of community councils to recruit volunteers to help develop an Angus credit union. The first public meeting successfully took place in November. Almost all Angus areas are now represented on the sub-group.
The survey undertaken at the Seafront Spectacular confirmed a general concern about litter, and the partnership continues to discuss, and investigate, novel ways of preventing litter. Free development support has been offered to create a litter-themed computer game, set in a recognisable Arbroath street.
The partnership has agreed involvement in Tartan Day 2005 – the events sub-group is developing proposals.
Linkages between the Arbroath and Area Partnership, the Cliffburn Partnership and the Regenerate! North Arbroath team, a European-funded regeneration project are being clarified, to assist a holistic approach to regeneration.
Proposals
for the scope of Angus Community Regeneration Funding were discussed and
welcomed at Cliffburn Partnership, the Arbroath & Area Partnership, and at a
meeting of local groups in North Arbroath.
The
Partnership is now represented on the Arbroath Advisory Group, which administers
small amounts of European funding in terms of Towns Promotion.
The
possibility of a partnership ‘phone-in on Radio North Angus has been raised.
City of Brechin Partnership
A
number of new sub-groups, with lead organisations, have been identified.
The partnership’s efforts to establish a permanent tourist bus drop off/pick up have been supported by Brechin City football club, with an offer to use their premises as a waiting area for buses between drop off/pick up.
An empty shop front has been identified for use as a ‘Made in Brechin’ display, to be developed by the Partnership in the New Year.
Proposals for research to be carried out in an area of Brechin with some Angus Community Regeneration Funding have been welcomed, with a number of suggestions for possible opportunities for action.
Funding
has been identified to allow the Brechin tourist sign outside the Brechin Castle
Centre to be updated.
Organisations
on the Partnership’s mailing list received individual invitations to a public
meeting held to begin development of a Townscape Heritage Initiative bid.
Improvements to the Partnership’s website are due to be completed shortly. These will allow information on member organisations to be added.
The Carnoustie Partnership
The promotional brochure developed by the Carnoustie Partnership ‘Stay the Course, Stay Carnoustie’ was launched in July 2004. Including tourist information and the background to the Partnership, it was distributed widely with the help of Angus Ahead.
In late September, the Partnership held
their first large event called ‘Blend of Bands’.
The musical extravaganza featuring Arbroath Instrumental Band, The Royal
British Legion Pipe Band and the Gordon School of Dancing, was held at
Carnoustie High School and proved to be a great success – raising funds and
awareness of the Partnership. It is
hoped that this event can now be held annually.
In
partnership with other community groups a Christmas musical celebration for the
community was held in December at the burgh’s high school. A capacity crowd
heard performances from the Carnoustie Choir, Arbroath British Legion Pipers,
Arbroath Instrumental Band and local school bands. It is planned that a similar event will be held in 2005.
‘Carnoustie
– Your New Home’, a welcome pack being developed by the Partnership, is
nearing completion and is due to be launched in Spring 2005. The pack is aimed at providing comprehensive local
information and contacts for those new to the Carnoustie area, and it includes a
welcome from the current chair. 500
are being produced and free advertising is being offered to local businesses and
community groups.
Later
this month, The Partnership is due to begin assessing their progress in 2004 and
planning for 2005. Topics for
discussion will include the roles and responsibilities of the office bearers,
wider community engagement, support and training requirements.
Forfar and Area
A
special area forum was held in December 2004, tasked with exploring the
priorities for the town, focusing specifically on how to tackle the issues
raised by local people and representatives from community planning partner
agencies and identify where joint working could be improved.
The
general consensus on the evening was that an event, to identify
issues/hopes/desires for the area from which themes could be developed, should
be organised for early 2005.
From
these themes, an action plan and steering group tasked with delivery could
follow. It was acknowledged that
any steering group or partnership should be inclusive and focused on action but
that participants could identify their preferred tasks and contribute where and
when was appropriate. The steering
group should have a core membership, who would facilitate the additional support
of other organisations and individuals.
The
community planning team are to organise this event, preparing a paper which
captures some of the issues and challenges already identified for the area as a
basis from which to develop.
Kirriemuir
and the Glens Partnership
The
Kirriemuir and The Glens Partnership are considering ways to get others involved
and support their enthusiasm.
Plans
are underway for a young peoples event being held on the 19 March 2005 at
Webster’s Sports Centre. The main aims of the event are to:-
· Raise awareness of activities/facilities for young people within Kirriemuir & The Glens, giving groups the opportunity to demonstrate/provide information on what their group/activity is about.
· Recruit adult support and also young people
·
Bring together
organisations at the one time.
Invitations
for the event have been issued to youth organisations and service providers
within the area inviting them to participate in the event.
Monifieth
Area Partnership
The Monifieth Area Partnership held its Christmas Community Celebration in December, in conjunction with Monifieth Community Council and involving participation from many local groups including Monifieth Rotary Club, Monifieth Local History Society, 4Real Youth Centre, Monifieth High School Wind Band, Grange Primary School and Seaview Primary School.
Monifieth Area Partnership has been approached by the British Legion to discuss collaboration in staging an event to mark 60 years since the Second World War for August 2005. Although in the early stages, the Partnership views this very positively and aims to commence discussions with other relevant groups.
The committee have agreed to meet in December to identify local priorities, ensuring that they are linked/aligned to those within the community plan progress report and review and prepare a forward plan for meetings and communications.
It
is currently working with local organisations to plan two important events for
2005 – a Twinning Association event involving a Scottish evening at Monifieth
High School to welcome official visitors from Soyaux and an event to mark 60
years since the Second World War (VE/VJ Day) for August 2005.
Although in the early stages, the Partnership views this very positively
and aims to commence discussions with other relevant groups.
The
committee met in December to identify local priorities, ensuring that they are
linked/aligned to those within the community plan progress report and review and
to prepare a forward plan for meetings and communications.
These will be discussed as well as the election of office bearers at the AGM to be held on 20 January 2005.
Montrose
Partnership
The
full report from the seminar is now available. An action plan is being
progressed which identifies actions in relation to the priorities identified and
who should/could be involved in progressing the priorities.
A focus for the Partnership will be to get people to sign up to and
become involved in progressing the plan.
The
priorities have been shared with the Partnership and it was suggested that a
number of them should be progressed by the Partnership.
This is currently being considered.
Projects being progressed by the Partnership include:-
· 2005 Brochure and calendar
· Establishment of the Farmers Market on a monthly basis
· Antiques/craft fair – Spring 2005
· Civic Pride campaign – slogan/poster competition with the local schools
·
Establish a garden
competition – discussions underway with Montrose Horticultural Society, and
further public interest is to be gauged.
A recent planting weekend of donated bulbs was a big success.
The
partnership is considering the possibility of using extracts of the
‘Destination Montrose’ video (recently launched for sale) as a marketing
tool for specific audiences. Work
continues to resolve the difficulties related to the exclusion of the public
from Montrose Partnership meetings.
Sidlaw and Newtyle Area
Following the focus on local community planning seminar held in November 2004, an action plan is currently being drafted to progress the main priorities arising from the seminar which will be circulated for comment and agreement in due course.
A meeting with the Sidlaw/Newtyle elected members has been arranged for early February to discuss the proposed actions further.