On 21 April the Improvement Service assisted the Community Planning partners to agree a framework for overall delivery of the local outcomes within the SOA. Special meetings of all five Strategic Theme Groups have since taken place during May, at which each Group has agreed up to three key actions under each of the local outcomes, for which they have been assigned responsibility. Clear milestones and targets are also being identified against each of the actions to facilitate more effective monitoring of achievement over the year. Possible additions to the membership of the Theme Groups have also been put forward at these meetings to ensure that the key actions agreed will be effectively addressed. Proposals to ensure that cross-cutting issues are picked up and dealt with more effectively across the various Partnership Groups have also been considered. A Special Community Planning Board meeting is taking place on 10 June to consider the key actions agreed by the Theme Groups and the resource implications of these, as well as agree any membership changes and a cross-cutting protocol.

The Community Engagement Group met on 23 April. It agreed the process for consulting with the public on proposals for establishing a Community Support Unit and providing funding to support community engagement across Moray. The Group also approved the Community Engagement Action Plan, setting out 12 key actions to be addressed over the next year, and received a presentation on Digital Stories, short video presentations about local people who have experienced life-changing events. It was felt this would be a good medium to promote the Partnership and its achievements.

The Community Planning Board met on 7 May. As well as agreeing the final version of the SOA and budget spend for 2009/10, the Board also approved the new model for local infrastructure support for the voluntary and community sector from 2011. It was agreed that the Citizens' Panel would continue on an ad hoc basis and consideration would be given as to how it fits with other engagement processes undertaken through the Partnership. The Board also approved the recommendation of the Social Inclusion Coordinating Group for funding two projects from the first round of Fairer Scotland Funding - a Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) Development Officer and Domestic Abuse Forum Family Support Workers. A third project, to fund a Welfare Benefits Advisor, was deferred pending a seminar on 5 June looking at an integrated approach to increasing welfare benefit resources in Moray.

The Safer and Stronger Group and the Wealthier and Fairer Group both met on 21 May. Both received detailed reports on performance in delivering against the national and local outcomes in the first SOA (2008/09). Under Safer and Stronger 75% of actions were deemed to have contributed or partially contributed to the outcomes, while under Wealthier and Fairer the comparable figure was 79%. Of the actions deemed not to have contributed the majority were delayed, but should be completed during 2009/10.

The Safer and Stronger Group also heard about a significant change in tackling dog fouling, which will allow the issuing of fixed penalties without first delivering a warning, as well as progress reports on the Council New Build programme (40 houses to be built in Elgin with the £1m Phase 1 funding award from the Government) and the implementation of the Fuel Poverty Strategy, where main achievements include improvements to the Council's housing stock and 4750 households receiving advice on energy efficiency. The new initiative to provide reflective armbands for children was also highlighted.

The Wealthier and Fairer Group approved the updated Action Plan, setting out work to be carried out on the Group's identified priorities during 2009/10. The Group also received updates on the Strategic Transport Projects Review and the Moray Towns Partnership as well as HIE's Economic Recovery Response Plan aimed at addressing the worst effects of the economic recession. The Plan is currently being revised to reflect the change of responsibility for business advice services from HIE to the new Business Gateway facility operated by the Council. The Gateway is now operating out of the former TIC premises in the High St.

NHS Grampian involves patients and the public in making decisions about their services. The Scottish Health Council's role is to make sure this happens. The Scottish Health Council would like to know if you are aware of how NHS Grampian currently engages with local communities or if you have been involved in work they have done this year.
Further information: Online Survey

More Choices, More Chances (under Safer and Stronger)

Stakeholder research to inform the new More Choices More Chances Strategy has recently been published. Agencies working with young people, employers from a variety of occupational areas and young people from priority groups most at risk took part in the research. The More Choices More Chances initiative is aimed at addressing the issue of young people who are not in education, employment or training or at risk or falling into that category.

Consultation Institute Courses
The Consultation Institute is running two courses in Edinburgh of importance and interest to those involved in consultation and public engagement -
- Making Consultation Meaningful
Date: 2nd June 2009
Venue: Caledonian Hilton, Princes Street, Edinburgh
- Media Relations & Public Engagement
Date: 10th June 2009
Venue: Caledonian Hilton, Princes Street, Edinburgh
Further information: Consultation Institute Website

The Scottish Centre for Regeneration recently launched the above network, which brings together all those with an interest in improving communities across Scotland. The network will enable members to build on existing skills as well as learn from others through a range of free events showcasing best practice, learning resources and training. For further information on how to join the network contact [email protected].

SHIEN is a new national network, facilitated by Glasgow Homelessness Network and funded by the Scottish Government. It provides a comprehensive toolkit of information and best practice to assist those with a statutory responsibility for alleviating homelessness as well as the diverse range of voluntary organisations, which provide direct services and support.

SNAPY was launched recently at a conference in Edinburgh. It brings together professionals who work with children and young people or their families affected by their own or someone else's drinking to share good practice, skills and resources. There is also a focus on promoting and improving early identification of potential problems.

Businesses and organisations are being invited to bid for a total of £5m in funds from the Scottish Government's Mixed Plastics Capital Grant Programme. At the moment only 15,000 tons of plastic used by householders is collected for recycling in Scotland with the majority of that being sent to Asia for processing. It is hoped that the Grant Programme will provide funding to develop plastics processing and recycling facilities in Scotland. Deadline for applications is 26 June 2009.

A new website has been launched under the auspices of the Council to promote Moray's contribution to the Year of Homecoming. An exciting series of events and exhibitions has been organised in communities across Moray. Visitors are being encouraged to come back to Moray, explore their family roots and find out about Moray's contribution to the world and coomemorate the lives of famous people from Moray.

The former Rural Gateway website has recently been transformed into Scotland's National Rural Network website to be known as the Rural Community Gateway. This is a Scottish Government initiative, intended to provide a portal for those living and working in rural Scotland to network, exchange ideas and discuss issues as well as keep up-to-date with all the latest news, documents and events.

At the recent Community Engagement Group meeting a number of steps were agreed to promote wider ownership and usage of the website by the Partnership and ensure that information is provided more regularly and timeously, particularly by the Theme Groups. The steps include the establishment of a network of content providers to monitor and update sections of the site on a regular basis and the production of guidance on the content management of the site, clarifying how and by whom information for the site is provided. Both of these measures should be in place by the end of June.

New email addresses have been created for each of the Area Forums to use in correspondence, promotional initiatives etc. An example is [email protected]. These addresses will enable the Forums to set up single points of contact for information as well as promote links to the Your Moray website.

Roy Anderson
Community Planning Officer
Tel: (01343)563343
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.yourmoray.org.uk