A successful outcome improvement process – Cockburnspath and Cove Community Council
/A successful outcome improvement process
Cockburnspath and Cove Community Council made a Participation Request to Scottish Borders Council (SBC) to improve communications and reduce duplication of tasks carried out by the Community Council's “Caretaker Scheme”. It was accepted in December 2024.
Background
The Caretaker Scheme, which has operated for 5 years plays a vital role in maintaining local green spaces, footpaths (including parts of the Southern Upland Way), fences, and minor infrastructure such as benches. The request aimed to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and ensure the sustainability of the scheme amid financial pressures.
Outcome Improvement Process
The request was validated and agreed within a month of submission. The outcome improvement process focused on enhancing communication and joint working between SBC and the Community Council. While no formal protocol was created, a meeting was held to discuss expectations and working arrangements, followed by email communication outlining the shared commitment to maintain regular and effective contact.
Since then, regular and direct communication has been maintained between SBC officers and the Community Council to coordinate planned works and respond to local issues.
A contact list was also prepared to give the Caretaker and Community Council direct access to relevant SBC officers. This included named contacts across departments such as Parks & Environment, Active Travel, Outdoor Access, and Community Engagement, along with guidance on when to escalate issues directly versus using online reporting tools.
A joint site visit was also arranged to identify overlapping responsibilities and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Outcome
The Community Council submitted a detailed summary of the Caretaker’s duties, which has been used to map responsibilities and identify areas where SBC services can complement the scheme. This has led to improved mutual understanding and more efficient use of resources.
The Decision Notice and Annual Report were published on the Council website
