“Working together for the best quality of life for everyone in MARR” Introduction Based in Marr Area office as part of Janelle’s Team Started in December Presentation / handout will be available online at MAP website “Working together for the best quality of life for everyone in MARR”

Community Planning Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 THE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 2015 …Significant changes to community planning legislation so you might start to hear about it in the coming months…. In Aberdeenshire Community Planning involves PUBLIC, PRIVATE and VOLUNTARY SECTORS working together to deliver BETTER SERVICES Community Planning is not a new concept.  It was given a statutory basis in the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003.  The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 replaces the 2003 Act, and makes a number of significant changes to community planning legislation so you might start to hear about it in the coming months. In Aberdeenshire, Community Planning involves representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors working together to deliver better services. There are six Local Community Planning Groups (LCPGs) in Aberdeenshire, aligned to the council’s administrative areas. Each is chaired by the Area Manager for Aberdeenshire Council and is supported by a Local Community Planning Officer from Aberdeenshire Council. Membership for each LCPG is determined by the needs of each area but typically includes representatives from Police Scotland, SFRS, NHS Grampian, Third Sector, Community Learning and Development (CLD), amongst other partners. Community Planning

Community Planning is about joining up the efforts and resources of public, business, voluntary and community organisations to better plan, resource and deliver quality services that meet the needs of local people. COMMUNITY PLANNING gives everyone the chance to have a say, be listened to and get involved in action to tackle the issues that really matter to you Community Planning is about joining up the efforts and resources of public, business, voluntary and community organisations to better plan, resource and deliver quality services that meet the needs of local people. By working together with local residents these organisations can meet our aim to deliver the best quality of life for everyone in Aberdeenshire. Community Planning gives you the chance to have a say, be listened to and get involved in action to tackle the issues that really matter to you. Community Planning

Who are we? MARR Marr Area Manager Marr Community Planning Officer 2 Marr Area Project Officers Community Learning and Development Team Police Scotland Health & Social Care Locality Manager for Marr Fire and Rescue Service Scotland Health Improvement Officer Chair of Marr Area Committee Marr Area Partnership Huntly Development Trust Development Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action Marr Community Safety Group Reps 3 x Community Council Reps

What do we do? Sharing information and research We work together to try to achieve the best quality of life for everyone in Marr by: Sharing information and research Instigating JOINT projects ENGAGING with communities and community groups Understanding OUR AREA and what is needed ….Not trying to do everything ourselves……..but collectively trying to achieve the best outcomes!

Are unique in Aberdeenshire Offer the opportunity to meet up and network, receive information and presentations on issues of importance, get training Delivered by Marr Area Partnership Structured and planned to meet your expressed needs for information and advice Provides community reps with another way to VOICE COMMENT on delivery of services Are unique in Aberdeenshire Offer community councils, community groups, volunteer groups, the opportunity to meet up and network, receive information and presentations on issues of importance, get training on subjects they select Are delivered by Marr Area Partnership on behalf of Marr Community Planning Group Structured and planned to meet your expressed needs for information and advice Provides community reps with another way to voice comment on delivery of services Ward Forums

Local Community Plan These plans demonstrate local priorities along with actions and partner commitment. Renewed every 3 years as part of a continual development process to ensure progress is being made and the priorities are kept RELEVANT. These plans demonstrate local priorities along with actions and partner commitment. They are renewed every 3 years as part of a continual development process to ensure progress is being made and the priorities are kept relevant. During the process, evidence and available information is reviewed and there are opportunities for communities to get involved through workshops, consultations and other engagement events.

Marr Community Plan The Marr Community Plan 2016 - 2019 brings together input from community planning partners, Elected Members and most importantly local communities, into 5 priorities to guide the work for the next 3 years… It has been agreed that these priorities for 2016 - 2019 will be: Empowered and Confident Communities Economically Vibrant Communities Connected Communities Healthy, Safe and Thriving Communities Natural Heritage and Environment .

Local Community Plan These priorities were developed in partnership with the Marr Area Committee, Community Planning Partners and community representatives, and the views of young people were included in the process. The Plan provides information on actions, which will contribute to delivering improvements in the priority areas. The Marr Community Plan will be supported by an Action Plan, which is appended to this document. The Action Plan is a live document with actions updated and added throughout the life of the 3 year plan. The Action Plan including all updates can be found at www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk/Marr.

The MCPG meets on a six weekly basis to discuss progress. Additionally, the MCPG meets with the MARR AREA COMMITTEE and Aberdeenshire Council’s MARR AREA MANAGEMENT TEAM on a 6 monthly basis to monitor progress and an annual report is produced for the Community Planning Board each year. The MCPG meets on a six weekly basis to discuss progress. Additionally, the MCPG meets with the MARR AREA COMMITTEE and Aberdeenshire Council’s MARR AREA MANAGEMENT TEAM on a 6 monthly basis to monitor progress and an annual report is produced for the Community Planning Board each year. Monitoring / Progress

Community Planning If we join up to work COLLECTIVELY… We can achieve a lot more than if we act separately join up to work collectively We can achieve a lot more than if we act separately And create the big picture of Aberdeenshire being the best of Scotland And Marr being the best of Aberdeenshire!

Local Community Plan Communities in Marr are active, engaged and successful in developing and running a wide range of projects, they are empowered and confident communities. However, some have more capacity than others and new groups and individuals get involved all the time. They need to be equipped with knowledge, networks and support to ensure they can deal with major events and develop their resilience both socially and economically. Marr’s economy revolves around tourism, food and drink, forestry and agriculture. Marr’s spectacular scenery, natural and national heritage and royal connections make the area, particularly Deeside, a centre for tourism. However, a number of our towns and villages need support to deal with major local issues. With support Marr’s economically vibrant communities will sustain their vibrancy, and those that are facing challenges will join them.

Local Community Plan The majority of Marr’s communities are healthy safe and thriving. However Research indicates that residents in a number of data zones in Marr experience health inequalities and we do have an increasing elderly population. Supporting people to make healthy choices and engage with their community, will improve volunteering rates, health outcomes and will enable people to remain independent well into old age. Access to employment, education, training, amenities and social activities is important to the health and wellbeing of the population and the economic sustainability of communities. For those reliant on local transport networks, either public or community, gaps in their provision can impact on the ability to access services and opportunities. Rural communities can now be connected in multiple ways through transport, active travel and accessible online services.

Local Community Plan Marr’s communities have made it clear to us that the natural heritage and environment is important to them. There are major assets in the area, the ancient archaeology currently being explored by the community in Rhynie, beautiful vistas and landscapes seen across the area, the Dee, Don and Deveron Rivers, the Cairngorms National Park of which 38% is in Marr. Projects that make the most of the Marr’s natural assets have the potential to impact positively on local economies. Climate change is already presenting challenges for our natural heritage and environment, built environment, infrastructure and agriculture. Changes in climate over the coming decades will impact life in our rural communities. We can work together to plan and prepare for the future, improving our quality of life, reducing our long term risks, lowering living costs and improving local economies, whilst at the same time contributing to Scotland’s climate targets.