The key priority themes, which were agreed in June this year, are: ‘Enough Money to live on’ ‘Access to work, learning and training’ ‘Enjoying good health and wellbeing’ and ‘A good place to grow up, live in and enjoy a full life’.

The actions that were set out to deliver in these four areas included:

• Setting up a multi-agency task group to address the current cost of living crisis and provide support and assistance across the Borders throughout autumn/winter 2022
• From the start of the next financial year the CPP and Local Employability Partnership will work together to identify gaps in education, employment and training in order to fill these areas, lacking in provision, to meet the needs of people living in the Scottish Borders
• Volunteering opportunities across the area will be considered with further opportunities promoted and maximised.
• Develop a regional approach to delivering a climate-ready region.

Councillor Caroline Cochrane, chair of the Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership, said: “The CPP work plan is key to delivering the priority themes that were agreed earlier this year.

“By pulling together and truly working as one, the Community Planning Partnership have incredible opportunities to support the Scottish Borders, especially during such a challenging time as we are experiencing just now.”

The Community Planning Strategic Board have also endorsed the Scottish Borders Local Child Poverty Report for 2021/22 and Action Plan for 2022/23 before its submission to Scottish Government.

The Scottish Borders CPP includes a number of strategic partners operating locally - NHS Borders, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue, Live Borders, Borders College, South of Scotland Enterprise, all four local housing associations and the third sector.

It is tasked with taking forward community planning in the Scottish Borders, by working with local communities, businesses and community groups to plan and deliver better services and improve the lives of people who live here.

Following a decision at council in August, the Scottish Borders CPP joined around a third of CPPs across Scotland who have direct community representation included in their membership.

Following a successful participation request, made under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, Scottish Borders Community Councils’ Network (SBCCN) has become a member of the Strategic Board representing the voice of 69 community council areas who in turn represent the population of the Scottish Borders.

SBCCN brought with it the views of community councils, from across the Borders, to the Board providing an important community voice.

Councillor Cochrane continued: “With the addition of the SBCCN to the strategic board, we have the views of the community and a strong community voice.”

“The cost of living crisis is having an impact on everyone and has knock-on implications for our businesses and communities. It is essential that we all do all we can to help the Borders get through this difficult period”.