The Community Planning Partnership held a local community planning seminar in Monifieth to establish a local dimension to community planning for Monifieth and area. The seminar, held at the Panmure Hotel, brought together strategic officers from partner agencies, local workers and representatives of local community groups. The outcomes from the day and the audit of activity in the area can be viewed on the Monifieth and area page.
The Community Planning Partnership also staged a number of presentations to increase awareness of community planning in Angus across partner agencies including Tayside Fire Brigade, Communities Scotland and Angus Council. The latter included presentations in Arbroath and Forfar. The feedback from these events was generally positive and a number of suggestions emerging will be considered.
June (6th) saw the 'Focus on Kirriemuir and area' local community planning seminar at the Airlie Arms Hotel, Kirriemuir. Similar to the 'Focus on Monifieth and area' seminar in May, officers from partner agencies, local workers and representatives of community and voluntary organisations met to discuss the issues for Kirriemuir and area. A seminar report is available.
The first annual Angus Community Planning Partnership Conference was held on 20 June at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel. Special guest Chief Constable Willie Rae of Strathclyde Police and Chair of the Community Planning Implementation Group (formerly Community Planning Taskforce for Scotland) gave an interesting and informative presentation on the national context of community planning. Mr. Rae was followed by Mr. Sandy Watson who covered community planning in Angus, Mr. David Valentine outlined progress to date in the Angus Economic Development Partnership, as did Mr. Neil Logue for the Angus Community Learning and Development Partnership. Dr. Peter Williamson covered the Angus Healthy, Safe and Caring Communities Partnership and Mr. Alex Anderson looked at the Angus Environment Forum. The day was a great success in attracting a variety of elected members, board members, officers and delegates from various organisations across Tayside who provided valuable input as to how community planning in Angus should move forward. A Conference Report is now available.
The Angus Community Planning Partnership Social Inclusion Strategy is out for consultation. Comments are to be returned by 29 August 2003. The ACPP is also consulting on how the new Community Planning Website should look. This site will link in to the Angus Portal (www.angusahead.com) currently under development.
A meeting was held to discuss the possibility of piloting a Mature Scot initiative in Angus for residents in the 50+ age group. It was agreed at the meeting to make an application for funding to develop the idea which would develop the 50+ age groups access to services in Angus.
Councillor Rob J Murray, Leader of Angus Council took up post as Convener of the Angus Community Planning Partnership.
A consultation event was held in Arbroath to discuss the Angus Joint Health Improvement Plan (JHIP) and to develop ideas on how health improvement should be taken forward in Angus. This event was jointly held by NHS Tayside and Angus Council.
The Scottish Rural Conference 'Working Together in Rural Communities' was held at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel The conference was held to discuss issues for rural communities and workshop sessions looked particularly at Information Communication Technology and rural communities, care of older people in rural communities, rural community halls, childcare in rural communities, services for young people, health care and rural community transport.
A meeting was arranged to discuss the possibility of setting up a Kirriemuir area Partnership. The meeting was arranged as a follow up to the seminar held in June, and participants were positive about taking the idea forward. A further meeting will be arranged to attempt to formalise arrangements for a partnership in the Burgh.
A meeting was held to gauge public interest in setting up a local partnership for the Monifieth area. The meeting was very positive and it was agreed to take this proposal forward. A further meeting will be arranged for December where the key partners identified at this meeting will be invited to come along and join the partnership.
The Focus On Forfar and Area Seminar was held in the Royal Hotel, Forfar. Over 110 delegates were invited to take part in the event which brought together representatives of Partner agencies, local workers, community and voluntary groups to discuss the issues for Forfar and area and identify priorities for future action.
The winners of the eagerly awaited Young Angus Citizens’ Panel and Angus Citizens’ Panel Prize Draws have been announced.
Thomas Duggan of Montrose won £100 for the 12-16 age group, Alison Aitken of Kirriemuir won for the 17-24 age group of the Young Angus Citizens’ Panel and George Rickaby of Arbroath collects the prize for the Citizens’ Panel. Winners received their prizes at a presentation given by Provost Bill Middleton and Angus Council Chief Executive Sandy Watson at No. 1 For Youth in Forfar on Tuesday 4 November.
The Angus Community Planning Partnership looked at a report for the effective engagement of the 50+ age group in the community planning process. The Partnership also looked at a model for community engagement which should allow for a two way flow of information between partners and communities.
The partnership meetings at Monifieth and Kirriemuir were positive in taking the next steps towards the formation of local partnerships in these areas. Inaugural meetings will be held early next year to establish office bearers etc.
2004 NEWS
The draft Community Plan review for 2003-2004 was discussed at the first meeting of the Angus Community Planning Partnership of 2004. The plan is likely to be published around March to April 2004, and the main document will be accompanied by a summary and performance supplement.
The Monifieth Area Partnership was established at the inaugural meeting on 20 January. Former Provost of Monifieth Ian Mortimer was elected to the Chair and the Partnership will now produce a document setting out its short and long term priorities for the future of the area.
The icy weather did not deter around 40 representatives of local organisations from attending a meeting on 27 January to discuss an Arbroath and Area Partnership. Twenty-five local organisations were represented at the meeting at the Angus Conference Centre at Angus College, and a further 20 organisations are also interested in getting involved. Bill Strachan, Angus Council’s Head of Policy and Performance, who chaired this initial meeting, said that each of the suggestions made at the meeting would be the subject of further discussion at a follow-up meeting next month, when it is hoped office bearers can be appointed to the Partnership.
Joint working in Brechin and the surrounding area was the subject for discussion at a recent seminar at Angus Digital Media Centre.
Attended by almost 70 representatives of local agencies, organisations and groups the Brechin gathering (18 February) was the fifth in a rolling programme of seminars throughout Angus, to develop the local aspect of community planning.
Hosted by the Angus Community Planning Partnership, the seminar focused on priority issues for improved partnership working in Brechin and Area. The issues identified range from the strategic, for organisations as a whole, to the operational between local workers of area based organisations. Also included was the work between communities, community groups and voluntary organisations, some of which are already involved in the City of Brechin Partnership.
The main priorities were identified as:
- Brechin Town Centre - a meeting is to be called of key agencies/individuals to effect change
- Aiding better partnership working - for example by gathering and publishing information on the broad range of local organisations and their work
- Defining the area – recognising the importance of the rural area surrounding Brechin and encouraging the broadest participation from the whole area
- Addressing the needs of young people - including leisure facilities, a wheeled sports facility, a drop in centre in Edzell and involvement in the community planning process
- Transport links - particularly in rural areas
- Resourcing of partnership work in terms of staffing, finance and time
On 24 February, around 40 representatives of local organisations attended the meeting to formally establish an Arbroath and Area Partnership.
The partnership has been set up to support and encourage local agencies and organisations to undertake and coordinate activity in the area and to carry out specific projects and actions.
Alistair Gray of Angus Care and Repair was appointed chairperson, with Patricia Millar of the Royal Burgh of Arbroath Community Council as vice chairperson. Over the next month working groups are preparing discussion papers on priorities for joint working in a range of topics: events; environment; community; safety; youth; employment & economy and communication.
The partnership's membership is open to any community or business organisation and any public sector agency in the area.
The Angus Community Planning Partnership is providing secretarial support and community planning officer Jacqui McNeill can be contacted for more information on the new partnership and the working groups (telephone Jacqui at Angus Council on 01307 473787, e-mail mcneiljk@angus.gov.uk).
The inaugural meeting of the Kirriemuir and the Glens Partnership took place on Monday 16 February 2004 at 7.30pm at Kirriemuir Town Hall when the partnership will be formally established and office bearers appointed.
Invitations have already gone out to local groups but anyone else interested in getting involved is welcome to go along on Monday. To help the organisers plan the evening anyone thinking of attending is asked to call community planning officer Eileen Jackson on 01307 473786 or e-mail jacksone@angus.gov.uk to confirm their place.
A number of key issues already identified for the evolving partnership to take forward include the development of a vibrant heritage, cultural and visitor economy within the area, the protection and enhancement of the environment and the need to encourage growth in business and retail provision.
Sub-groups of the new Arbroath and Area Partnership are working up starter papers to identify initial priorities for action in the following areas: Events, Environment, Community, Safety, Youth, Employment/Economy and Communication.
The Carnoustie Partnership is appealing for local groups to come forward with information about the burgh for inclusion in the tourist brochure it is developing.
Details of local attractions, local history, things to do etc, is the sort of information the partnership is looking for. The brochure will promote an active Carnoustie, highlighting that golf, water sports, horse riding, fishing, quad biking, walking in the countryside, coast and glens are all on the doorstep.
There are still a few advertising places left in the publication and local businesses and attractions are asked to come forward and get involved. It is a unique opportunity to promote local businesses and organisations and the publication is operating on a non-profit basis. To find out more contact Christine Cass at the Carlogie House Hotel on 01241 853185.
Plans for the ‘Blend of Bands’ music extravaganza at the high school theatre are now well advanced and the date for the diary is 25 September. The night will involve many young people from Carnoustie and will have appearances from the Arbroath Instrumental Band and the Arbroath Royal British Legion Pipe Band.
The date of the next partnership meeting is Thursday 8 April at 7.30pm in the Burgh Chambers and anybody interested in the current projects or with ideas for new projects is welcome to come along.
A seminar will be held in Carnoustie on 28 April 2004 in the Carnoustie Hotel Golf Resort and Spa to explore the issues for Carnoustie and area and identify six priority issues for the town.
The AGM of the Montrose Partnership took place on 24 March at The Links Hotel, Montrose, marking the end of its second successful year. Peter Davies of the Montrose Air Station Museum was elected to the chair, filling the shoes of Dr Tony Sutton, who led the partnership since its establishment two years ago.
A number of short and longer term projects have been progressed by partners during the past year. These include, the production of the annual 'Destination Montrose' brochure, the introduction of a voucher scheme offering incentives to shop locally, further development of the Montrose community website (www.montrose.org.uk) with the Montrose Society and the commissioning of a promotional video of Montrose in conjunction with The Montrose Heritage Trust and Angus Council.
The partnership's plans for 2004 onwards include the establishment in the spring of a monthly Farmers Market, the launch of the Montrose Civic Pride campaign, and a series of events such as books and antiques fairs and arts exhibitions.
Alison Smith, External Funding Manager at Angus Council gave a presentation on external funding opportunities at the Kirriemuir and the Glens Partnership. Alan Tucker took up post of Chair and Jasper Gray, Vice chair.
The three groups tasked with looking at marketing and the product of Kirriemuir and the Glens, young people and regeneration reported back on the progress made.
Susan Wilson, LHCC Manager in Angus updated the Area Forums in Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir and Montrose on the changes to GP out of hours services in Angus. The Area Forum circuit also included an appearance from Iain Turnbull, Development Manager for the Angus Drugs and Alcohol Action Team, who updated localities on the Alcohol Action Plan.
A joint seminar was held between the Angus Community Planning Partnership and the Public Health Institute for Scotland to consider the impact of research into the interface between health improvement and community planning. The seminar reported progress to the key stakeholders and identified issues of national interest. The event was a great success and consideration is being given to a national conference looking at some of the findings.
The Angus Community Plan Progress Report and Review 2003/04 was published. This years document details partnership priorities for the coming 12 months and beyond. Against each of these priorities, activities have been identified with timescales, partners involved and the intended outcome - allowing you to see what is planned to deliver on your priorities.
The Focus on Carnoustie and area seminar was held on 28 April at the Carnoustie Hotel Golf Resort and Spa. Approximately 60 delegates heard from Angus Council Chief Executive, Sandy Watson on Community Planning in Angus. Chairperson of the Carnoustie Partnership, Christine Cass detailed the work of the Carnoustie Partnership followed by Roy Madden and Margaret Byrne (both of Angus Council) who presented the results of the Carnoustie Seafront Opportunities for Improvement exercise. The seminar identified the following priorities for action in Carnoustie:-
-
Raising the profile of Carnoustie
-
Community engagement
-
Young People
-
engagement - civic pride; improved attitude for future employment
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drop in centre – involvement in design and build? (support in kind from developers?)
-
-
Seafront – involving young people (and others) in design, etc
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Traffic management - Transport/Parking – variety of views - long term issue
-
Town Centre Improvements – build on current assets.
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Quick wins in the areas of:
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Heather Koronka, Head of Performance and Improvement Section at the Scottish Executive has agreed to set the scene for the 2004 Angus Community Planning Conference on 24 June at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel Resort and Spa. Heather will be joined by Alistair Gray, who will cover issues surrounding the Arbroath and Area Partnership The event is by invitation only.
The Carnoustie Partnerships first Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday 20 May at the Carnoustie Library. The Partnership reported on the progress that has taken place over the past 12 months and a full committee was elected.
The Arbroath and Area Partnership is progressing a number of activities including looking at developing an Angus wide Credit Union.
The City of Brechin Partnership's preferred site for a coach drop off/pick up point in South Esk Street has been agreed for a trial period.
A successful open evening was held in Newtyle at the beginning of May. This event was organised as a result of a number of issues of concern within the village of recent, mainly in relation to anti social behaviour. The event brought together organisations and members of the community to consider the issues and think about what can be done to improve things in Newtyle.
Following the evening the issues identified at the workshops are currently being considered and taken forward by organisations and the community. A follow up newsletter from the open evening is due to go out to every household at the end of June. It is hoped that there will be sufficient interest from local people to come together to form a group to progress the issues.
The 2004 Angus Community Planning Conference was held in the Carnoustie Hotel Golf Resort and Spa on 24 June. The event is now held annually in order to raise awareness of community planning in Angus and give interested parties the opportunity to have a say on the development of this. The focus of this years conference was local community planning, with a wide ranging discussion held on the issues surrounding community action and engaging the wider community. A Seminar Report will be available soon.
Opportunities to enhance the image of Forfar were discussed at the Area Forum on 16 June. Roy Madden of Angus Council gave a presentation on some ideas to improve approaches to the town, improvements to the Myre car park and playing fields and improvements to street furniture in the town centre. The ideas were well received by those in attendance and will be the subject of further consultation.
New Office Bearers have been appointed to the City Of Brechin Partnership. The newly elected committee is keen to involve more organisations from the town in the work of the Partnership.
The Arbroath and Area Partnership (AAP) held a stall at the Seafront Spectacular in Arbroath. The Partnership took the opportunity to consult members of the public on what its priorities should be in terms of making improvements to the area. An analysis of the results are expected to be available at the next meeting on 24 August and will be available on the AAP page of this site.
Representatives of the Discovery and Tay Valley Credit Union attended a meeting with the AAP Credit Union Sub Committee. They provided useful background information on developing a Credit Union locally.
An initiative aimed at increasing young persons awareness of and involvement in Youth Councils and the Angus Youth Congress kicked off in Brechin on 5 July. The 'E Vote Pilot Project' emerged from the Scottish Youth Parliaments desire to increase the number of young persons voting. Young people representing the various Youth Councils across Angus were in attendance to discuss and develop proposals that will result in an Angus wide event for young people. The event will give young people the opportunity to elect representatives to the Scottish Youth Parliament and Angus Youth Congress, but also providing a chance to have a say on the issues affecting young peoples lives in Angus. Community planning partners will be involved in what looks an exciting project. For more information contact Eileen McArthur or Jennifer Miller on 01307 468859.
The
Carnoustie Partnership launched it's promotional leaflet for the area 'Stay
The Course, Stay Carnoustie' (PDF 860K). The leaflet is intended to
attract tourists into the town and raise awareness at the many things on offer
in the Carnoustie area.
FOCUS
ON MONTROSE AND AREA LOCAL COMMUNITY PLANNING SEMINAR
Approximately
50 representatives of public sector organisations, businesses and community and
voluntary groups took part in the Focus on Montrose & Area Local community
planning seminar on 14 September at the Links Hotel to explore the main issues
and priorities for Montrose.
The
event, which was hosted by the Angus Community Planning Partnership to develop
local community planning, focused on priorities for improved partnership working
in Montrose and the surrounding area. This included strategic issues for
organisations, work between local representatives of organisations in the area,
and between communities, community groups and voluntary organisations, some of
whom are already involved in The Montrose Partnership.
Delegates
received a progress report on community planning to date within Angus. Various
presentations included updates on the work of the Montrose Partnership, the Mid
Links Restoration Project and the Links to Health information service being
launched at the Links Health Centre and how this links to the Angus 50+ project.
A
number of workshops gave delegates the opportunity to exchange views and ideas
with other participants and agree on a number of priority issues for the future
development of Montrose and area.
The
main points arising from discussions included the following: -
·
Improvements
to the overall economy of the area and employment opportunities
–business
retention as well as attracting new business.
·
Raising the
profile of Montrose and area through increased and targeted promotion and
marketing
·
Image
building – highlighting positive news and working with the media.
·
Infrastructure
– improvements to the road/rail and sea linkages to Montrose
·
Addressing
the needs of young people - including, improved facilities and activities, the
retention of young people in the area and changing public perceptions of them
·
Voluntary
Sector – developing better links and improving communication between voluntary
sector organisations, the Montrose Partnership and the overall community
planning process.
All the points discussed at the seminar will be included in a report, which will be circulated to those who attended or indicated an interest in the event. The report will be shortly available on this site.
Kirriemuir and The Glens Partnership
Plans are well
underway for a survey to be carried out which focuses on the marketing of
Kirriemuir and The Glens.
The proposal
includes the creation of an inclusive list of local businesses and community and
voluntary organisations within Kirriemuir and The Glens. The information will be
utilised to ensure a balanced representation of businesses in the Glens and
newer organisations to be represented on the Partnership whilst providing a
manageable medium for communications by the Partnership, voluntary organisations
and public sector organisations.
The survey is also
likely to highlight the issues that local businesses and groups face which the
Partnership may be able to assist with.
Marcus Thompson who
has been leading the project said, “ The survey aims to ensure that the
Partnership understands the needs of local businesses and is inclusive in its
approach. It is proposed that someone local who has the survey experience and
the contacts to undertake this sort of work carries out the survey. The survey
will be progressed subject to the approval of funding.”
A small working group has been established to progress arrangements for an event for young people to be held in the Spring of 2005. The event will bring together youth organisations and service providers within the area, providing opportunity to raise awareness of the various activities and facilities available locally for young people.
Invitations to local youth organisations and service providers will be sent out shortly. For more information or to register an interest in the event contact Ralph Neave on 07768 586750 or Ellie Fiddes on 01575 574989.
The Carnoustie Partnership held a very successful ‘Blend of Bands’ music extravaganza at the High school theatre on 25 September. The night included superb performances by Arbroath Instrumental Band, Arbroath Royal British Legion Pipe Band and the Gordon School of dancing. There are plans now to hold the event annually.
The Arbroath and Area Partnership is following up on the responses to the questionnaire it used at the Seafront Spectacular in July. In particular, novel ideas to combat litter are to be investigated. A brief analysis of responses can be viewed. More details of the questionnaire responses are available from Jacqui McNeill, Tel. 01307 473787, or e-mail mcneiljk@angus.gov.uk
The City of Brechin Partnership is setting its priorities for the coming year, which may include re-introducing the Brechin Civic week. A number of additional organisations have begun attending meetings, including Brechin Youth Council.
The Monifieth Area Partnership is working to resurrect a Christmas event in the town. A number of volunteers have come forward to develop what is hoped to be a special evening for all the family.
Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Seminar
Around 80 representatives of community and voluntary groups, volunteers and public sector organisations met to discuss community planning in Angus at the above event held on 27 October in the Angus Conference Centre at Arbroath.
The event was hosted by the Angus Community Planning Partnership and supported by Angus Association of Voluntary Organisations (AAVO) and the Volunteer Centre Angus (VCA).
At the seminar the progress of community planning to date within Angus was discussed along with the role and work of AAVO and the VCA.
Workshops also took place giving delegates the opportunity to meet with others from different backgrounds to discuss, exchange views and ideas and reach agreement on the main areas for consideration in relation to engaging the voluntary sector and volunteering in community planning in Angus.
All the points discussed have now been included in a seminar report, which will inform a draft action plan. The report is now available via this site and will be circulated to those who attended or indicated an interest in the event. Engaging the Voluntary Sector and Volunteering in Community Planning in Angus seminar report.( PDF 421K)
To progress the action plan, a meeting was held with officers from the Angus Community Planning Team, AAVO and VCA in November, and a further meeting has been arranged for with the aim of producing a plan for consideration by March.
Focus on Sidlaw and Newtyle Area Local Community Planning Seminar
The
focus on local community planning seminar was held in the Piperdam Hotel on 16
November 2004. The event was
attended by approximately 50 representatives from partner organisations,
businesses, community and voluntary groups.
From
discussions many priority issues identified were common across the area e.g.
·
Improved transport
·
Road safety
·
Improved facilities for
young people
·
Improved communications.
Many
were specific to an individual community e.g. poor drainage – Muirhead/Birkhill
Park.
To
address these issues and others, it was the view that the development of a local
partnership would not be the right way ahead, however the elements of
partnership working need to be present and a much greater interface between
partner organisations and the community is required.
There
was a clear message that there is a need for improved and greater community
engagement right across the area.
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 2005 to discuss the action plan in more depth.
Forfar and Area Special Area Forum - Way Forward for Forfar?
Approximately 50 people from local businesses and community and voluntary groups, along with some residents, attended the special area forum held on 14 December, hosted by the Angus Community Planning Partnership.
Delegates were brought up to date on the progress of community planning in Angus, taking account of some of this issues identified from the earlier Forfar & Area Seminar as well as the local area partnership approaches that have emerged across Angus.
During the workshop sessions delegates had the opportunity to share ideas to find a way of taking forward the issues they identified for action for the Forfar area. These included being clearer about what community planning means at a local level, the more effective sharing of ideas and information, building on the work already being done and recognising the role of young people in future planning.
Councillor Bill Roberton said it had been a productive meeting with people recognising the work already being done but keen to find ways of working together better. "Another forum is planned for early 2005," said Councillor Roberton, "to look at the issues raised and those that were identified at the earlier Forfar & Area Seminar. The aim now is to find a way to address these issues, perhaps in some form of partnership, to harness the work and enthusiasm already shown in the area."
A report, recording what was discussed at the seminar, is now available. It will be circulated to those who attended or indicated an interest in the event.