The Fairer Scotland Fund
The Fairer Scotland Fund is allocated to Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) from the Scottish Government to help them achieve sustainable economic growth by:
- regenerating disadvantaged communities;
- tackling poverty by helping vulnerable people and groups; and
- overcoming barriers to employment.
The fund totals £435m over three years. This highlights the importance the Scottish Government places on increasing economic participation for all, improving social cohesion and creating stronger communities.
How is the fund used?
CPPs can use the fund to tackle local issues related to poverty and disadvantage in the most effective way. CPPs are aiming to use the fund as a catalyst to accelerate the achievement of real outcomes for the most disadvantaged areas and vulnerable people. Results will be tracked through Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs). Through SOAs we expect to see evidence emerge over time of positive change and meaningful community involvement and empowerment.
Initiatives supported by the fund are driven by local circumstances and priorities in each area.
The Approach to the FSF in the Scottish Borders
There are a number of local outcomes in the Scottish Borders Single Outcome Agreement that have a direct line of sight to FSF, and are underpinned by a number of indicators that, over time, will demonstrate progress in working towards the achievement of the outcomes. These local outcomes are as follows:
2.4) We maximise economic participation including those most in need
3.3) Adult learners and young people benefit from accessible advice, guidance and community based learning opportunities.
4.1) Young people enjoy living in the Borders and make a positive contribution within their community
4.2) All young people will go into education, employment or training, having more choices and more chances
7.3) Fewer people’s lives in the Borders will be affected by poverty
7.4) Migrants are welcomed to the Borders
7.5) Homelessness will be reduced through effective prevention and significant action
The FSF in the Scottish Borders is overseen and monitored by the Fairer Borders Group. This Group consists of representatives from:
· Scottish Borders Council
· NHS Borders
· Lothian and Borders Police
· Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service
· Borders College
· the Skills Development Agency
· Borders Network of Housing Associations
· JobCentrePlus
· the Voluntary Sector.
The Member representative is Councillor Sandy Scott. The Group is accountable to the inter-agency Community Planning Management Group overseeing the implementation of the Scottish Borders Single Outcome Agreement. The Fairer Borders Group is led by the Council’s Director of Social Work.
Allocations from Fairer Scotland Fund
The three year allocation from the Fairer Scotland Fund to the Scottish Borders is as follows: £315,000 2008/9, £527,000 2009/10 and £739,000 in 2010/11. For the years 2008/9 and 2009/10 these allocations will be made on a ring-fenced basis. In 2010/11the funding will be provided as part of the Council’s revenue support allocation.
Projects supported by the fund are detailed in the shared documents section under Minutes (May).
What is the future of the fund?
The Fairer Scotland Fund is ring-fenced until March 2010, to allow all CPP priority outcomes linked to regenerating communities, tackling poverty, and overcoming barriers to employment to be fully embedded within SOAs. The Scottish Government will support all partners working towards key outcomes by sharing best practice from across Scotland through the development of a new learning network.