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Skirling Community Development Trust
Owned by the Community for the Community
We have been successful and now have Skirling Community Development Trust (SCDT) up and running to support the community and to help implement the Community Action Plan.
The next step is now for as many people as possible to join as members of the Trust, so it really does represent everyone across the community, and everyone can have a say in what the Trust does going forward.
Everyone who is over 16 and living in the Skirling Community Council area can register as a member of the Trust and there is no cost to you.
Click here for the membership registration form, a hard copy of which you can also pick up in the village hall. This is where we ask you to also leave your completed copies (or, if you prefer, please email them to sara@skirlingvillage.co.uk).
Once all the applications for membership are received, then the intention is to hold our first Trust meeting in December to tell you a bit more about how the Trust will work, answer any questions anybody may have, and then to elect a Board of Trustees from across the membership of up to 8 people to oversee the Trust’s work on behalf of the members and get started on the work of the Trust to help implement the Community plan and improve life in Skirling for all.
Community Action Plan
The Skirling Community Action Plan sets out the priorities for the development of Skirling over the next 5 years as determined by the community through an extensive process of community engagement carried out over a five month period from May – September 2023.
The priorities to be taken forward fall under five themes as follows:
- SAFE SKIRLING
- WELL CONNECTED SKIRLING
- SKIRLING COMMUNITY LIFE
- SKIRLING ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE
- SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT SKIRLING
Making it Happen
The plan is for the whole community and is jointly owned by all the organisations and individuals that took part in its preparation.
We have co-ordinators and small teams of volunteers for each of the themes, but would love even more community involvement. If you have ideas to offer or skills and knowledge to share, please complete our online form by 19th March.
Hard copies of the Community Action Plan have been distributed to Skirling residents. If, for some reason, you have not received a copy for your household, please send an email to sara@skirlingvillage.co.uk or click here for a digital copy.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to all our residents who helped to shape this plan for Skirling.
The Skirling Community Action Plan Steering Group was supported in preparing this Community Action Plan by STAR Development Group.
Funding was provided by SSE Clyde Borders Community Benefit Fund.
Biggar Medical Practice Patient Group
We welcome views from patients about your experience of the practice and also other NHS and social care services used by you. You can let us know what has worked well and what has not – and how it might be improved. If you would like to give any feedback, please email biggarpatientgroup@outlook.com. Sarah Sinclair is the Chair of the Patient Group, which has membership across the practice area.
If, however, you wish to make a complaint – the practice follows the NHS Complaints Procedure, which we cannot participate in. More details on the complaints procedure can be found below with the practice website link.
The below minutes are also available on the practice website, where there is lots of health information: https://www.biggarmedicalpractice.co.uk/. Under the section About Us/Have Your Say you can find the minutes as well as the NHS Complaints Procedure.
PATIENT GROUP MINUTES: July 2023 | October 2023
Potholes and Road Repairs
To effectively register potholes and road repairs, use the FixMyStreet website or App, which allows you to locate the exact position of the problem and submit a photo. This is then directly submitted to the correct council department and keeps track of when/if the problem is dealt with (including re-contacting the council if nothing is done). A very effective tool.
Regular Skirling Events
These events take place in Skirling Village Hall regularly, everyone is welcome!
Pilates –
Wednesdays from 5pm to 6pm and Thursdays from 6pm to 7pm with Lindy. £6.50 per person per session. Contact Lindy on 07549 686 116 or by email on pilateswithlindy@gmail.com.
Skirling Lunch –
Every second Thursday in the month from 12pm. £2 per person.
Toddlers –
Toddler group for toddlers and babies every Friday from 9.30am to 11.30am. Swaps between Skirling and Broughton village halls. £2 per child. Contact Katy on 01899 860 252.
Citizens Advice Bureau / What Matters Hubs
Citizens Advice Bureau –
Contact Peebles Citizens Advice Bureau for information on a range of issues including benefits, debt advice, cost of living support, consumer, employment and housing issues – for free confidential advice, call them on 01721 721722.
The Citizens Advice Bureau, doctors, churches, social work and schools can also make referrals to Peebleshire Foodbank for people in need of emergency food parcels.
SBC – What Matters Hubs –
What Matters Hubs offer drop in sessions and appointments where you can meet people from community groups and voluntary organisations as well as social workers and occupational therapists. For more information, click here.
Live Borders Digital Library
As well as their physical libraries, Live Borders also offer an ever increasing digital library to all their members. Click here for the full details and links.