community actionplan2016-2021 · prestonpanscommunityactionplan2016-2021 3 ourcommunitynow...

Prestonpans

CommunityAction Plan 2016-2021

Prestonpans Community Action Plan 2016-2021

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Contents� Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

� Our Community Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

� Our shared vision for community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

� Our Likes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

� Our Dislikes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

� Theme 1: Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

� Theme 2: Events & Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

� Theme 3: Public Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

� Theme 4: Recreation & Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

� Early Actions funded through the Participatory Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

� Making it happen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Introduction� 134 Community Surveys were returned representing the views of

approximately 250 people

� 3 Stakeholder interviews took place with local groups,

business and support organisations

� 160 people attended the Community Futures Open Events in Prestonpans

Prestonpans Community Action PlanThe Action Plan summarises community views and information about:

� Our community now

� Our shared Vision for Prestonpans

� Priority themes and actions

Prestonpans Community Futures Steering Group

The Steering Group brought together representatives from: Prestonpans Community Council,

Pretsonpans Youth Community Project, Prestonpans After School Club, Puffin Play Group,

Friends of Cuthill Park, Coastal Regeneration Alliance, Prestonpans Seton Gosford Area

Partnership


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Our Community NowBackground

Prestonpans is town within East Lothian, located 11.5 miles east of Edinburgh along the banks of the

River Forth.

Prestonpans has a vast industrial heritage of mining, fishing, salt panning and breweries. Mining in

Prestonpans dates back to 1210, this is considered by many to be the earliest organised coal mining in

British history.

As well as industrial heritage, Prestonpans is well known for the Battle of Prestonpans which was a

battle within the second Jacobite Rising in 1745.

Prestonpans has a population of 7620 as of the last census.

Prestonpans has a high street with several shopping outlets including 2 supermarkets. The town has

separate school facilities at nursey, infant, primary and secondary stages. There are 2 community

centers within Prestonpans; Prestonpans Community Centre and Pennypit Centre. There is a public

library, a dentists and a GP practice within the town center.

Health

Prestonpans has a local health provision in the form of a pharmacy as well as both GP and dentist

surgeries. Any level of more serious or emergency medical treatment can be accessed at the Royal

Infirmary of Edinburgh which is approximately 9 miles from Prestonpans. Long term or limiting health

issues are relatively prominent in Prestonpans with around 20% of the entire population identifying

with some form of long term health issue.

Employment & Economy

On average around 15% of the working age population in Prestonpans are unemployed, this has been

consistent trend in the area for the past 10 years. Whilst this reflects a general improvement since the

1990s, it does not show any signs of reducing significantly. Employability training and local

employment opportunities have been identified as key priorities moving forward, meaning the

delivery of this action plan could lead to significant change in this area.


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Education

All stages of education are catered to in Prestonpans by the infant school, primary schools and

Preston Lodge High School. On average, around 65% of school leavers progress to further or higher

education with currently 20 - 25% of the adult population having successfully obtained a degree level

qualification.

Environment

Prestonpans is well known for its local environment including its beach and walk ways. From

community survey feedback, there is a feeling evident that these resources are underutilized and

under respected. In taking this action plan forward, the community of Prestonpans hopes to enhance

the local environment and maximise the potential of all natural resources.

Community

There is a strong sense of community within Prestonpans which is evident in both the positive

comments within the community survey feedback and the high attendances at the open meetings

and Family Fun Day event within the Coalfields Community Futures process. It is also evident

however that an element of the community feel unsure about how to become more involved -

something this action plan hopes to address.


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Vision statement"I'd like to see us looking forward to a bright and prosperous future

rather than back at what we used to have and how we used to be

identified and identify ourselves. Our local heritage should be

celebrated and fondly remembered but our future should something we

can all be just as proud of."

Prestonpans Will Be…� A town that both believes in and invests heavily in its youth

population, encouraging young people to be ambitious and

adventurous.

� A town that is welcoming and hospitable to tourists and visitors.

� A town that proudly celebrates its culture and heritage.

� A town that maximizes the potential of its resources

Prestonpans Will Have…� A thriving local economy with opportunities for all local residents.

� A community network that works efficiently and collaboratively.

� A strong sense of identity.


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The clean streets and the newplay parks . . .

It's a close community . . .

The Prestonpans After SchoolClub is superb . . .

The Pennypitt and PrestonpansCommunity Centre’s both offerexcellent facilities andopportunities to get involved incommunity groups . . .

The community in Prestonpansis amazing, having a chance tomeet other mums at Patchworkeach week has been so good forme and my baby . . .

The nice walks . . .

The local gala committee,giving the community a funfilled week of events! . . .

Open air access to the sea andits walkways . . .

Prestonpans LIKES

Child & Youth Provision

Environment

Local Services & Facili�es

Other

Sense of Community


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Expanding without havinginfrastructure in place – needto invest in schools, doctorsand shops . . .

Schools should be bigger andthere should be more foryoungsters . . .

Dropping litter, if nobodylitters it will make the worldbetter . . .

Drug dealing on streetcorners . . .

Local facilities not open in theevening, the whole communitycan’t take part in all activities. . .

I feel that the local youngpeople deserve better . . .

The parking facilities for HighStreet . . .

Bus services . . .

No decent pubs . . .

Clean the beach! . . .

Destruction caused byyouths…..

Prestonpans DISLIKES

Child & Youth Provisiohn

Environment

Local Services

Crime & An� Social Behaviour

Sense of Community


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THEME 1: HeritageThese are the main strategies and priorities the community will work towards achieving in

partnership with public agencies and other supporters

Prestonpans is steeped in cultural and industrial heritage and it was evident throughout the consultation process

that there is a strong sense of pride in this across the community. The next generation and many more after that

should be encouraged and enabled to fully understand and appreciate the cultural history that makes

Prestonpans truly unique.

Priorities Actions Potential Partners

Public art projects around

area heritage

� Establish a mural trail through

Prestonpans by repairing, enhancing

and adding to existing murals

� Prestonpans Seton Gosford Area

Partnership

� John Muir Trust,

� Friends Of Cuthill Park

� Prestonpans Community Council

� East Lothian Council

� Coastal Regeneration Alliance

� Local Schools

� 3 Harbours Festival Committee

� Pennypit Committee

Support & invest in mining

museum

� Support the development of a Cuthill

Park to Mining Museum walkway

� Support and encourage and promote

East Lothian Council “Multicultural Days

� Raise awareness of and support /

fundraise for museum tapestries

Interpretation boards

around town and paths

� Work towards creating a map of local

walkways and points of interest

� Support the development of a John

Muir coastal route

A “3 Harbours Festival” � Develop the Prestonpans aspect of the

festival within the community to include

the local schools


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THEME 2: Events & ActivitiesThese are the main strategies and priorities the community will work towards achieving in


Opportunities for young people was a reoccurring theme across all demographics during the community

consultation and opportunities for young people integrate fully within the wider community were prioritised as a

key aspect of sustainable long term development.


Support & develop youth

activities

� Conduct a large scale youth

consultation including a drop in “Pizza

Night”

� PYCP to offer NPA in Volunteering and

PDA in Youth Work through Coalfields

Regeneration Trust SQA Learning

Centre

� Liaise with external communities and

agencies to recruit and retain volunteers

to aid the delivery of youth provision

� Prestonpans Youth Community

Project

� Lighthouse Project

� Red School

� Prestonpans After School Club

� STRiVE



Partnership

� Local Schools

� Coalfields Regeneration Trust

� Puffin Play Group


� Children & Youth Network

� Gala Committee

� Street League

A larger scale gala to

reflect increase in

population

� Widening participation in the planning

of the gala

� Liaise with other mining communities to

share ideas and link up / coordinate

galas

Hold employment /

recruitment event(s)

� PYCP to host Coalfields Sport Works

Programme

� Research and promote employment and

training opportunities around

community and through diverese

community groups

� Coordinate child care provision and

develop in line with key opportunities

locally


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THEME 3: Public ServicesThese are the main strategies and priorities the community will work towards achieving in


A sense of pride within the community is paramount in taking the community action plan forward and greater or

more efficient public services will lead to an enhanced sense of community pride and community spirit.


Effort to tackle dog fouling � Hold community competition to design

anti dog fouling ideas and campaign

materials

� Prestonpans Youth & Community

Project


� Red School


� Local Schools

� Police Scotland



� East Lothian Community Rail

Partnership


Partnership

Enhanced police presence � Engage with and include Police more

within all community events and

activities so as to encourage a proactive

rather than reactive approach.

Improved public transport

links to Edinburgh

� Lobby for improved local transport links

to Edinburgh and surrounding areas

Improved lighting in parks

and on streets

� Lobby for improvements to lighting

services

� Highlight safety concerns related to

poor lighting


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THEME 4: Recreation & FacilitiesThese are the main strategies and priorities the community will work towards achieving in


Access to local facilities and green spaces play an important part in improving local health and wellbeing and

social interaction. Strong working partnerships across the various community groups in Prestonpans can lead to

the local facilities being utilised to their full potential.


Create new and develop

existing green space and

horticultural assets

� Work with East Lothian Council to map

out local greenspace and promote

better use

� Friends of Cuthill Park


� Prestonpans Youth Community

Project




� Red School


Partnership

� Local Schools

� Graden ‘Elf

Develop skate park and

youth facilities

� Research funding opportunities

� Consult and engage with local young

people

Develop cross community

group facilities

� Cross community networking and

engagement


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Prestonpans After SchoolClub

Outdoor Play Opportunities

The outdoor play equipment wewere able to buy allows all 66 ofregistered children to enjoy theoutdoors and being active whilethey attend the after school club.The equipment has increased thenumber of play options availableto children which is an importantpart of learning and socialdevelopment

Puffin Play Group New Equipment

The playgroup is a valuable localservice and at the moment isoversubscribed with a significantwaiting list. We try to ensure theservice is available to those whoneed it most and the newequipment we’ve been able tobuy has increased our capacity todo this.

Friends Of Cuthill Park Cuthill Park CommunityGarden Project

Funding was allocated tocomplete an outdoor room,which involved laying a patio infront of the container, with twopermanent wooden posts andremovable weathered canvassides and roof. This will create acommunity meeting place and anoutdoor classroom.

Prestonpans MinersMemorial Group

Miners Memorial

The miners’ memorial group arein the late stages of creating apublic artwork (sculpture) to goon display in Prestonpans. Theartwork will be dedicated to allthe miners from the area,especially those who lost theirlives down the pits.

FUNDED PROJECTS


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Prestonpans CommunityCouncil

CommunicationsImprovements

We managed to purchase 2notice boards for the town (oneto replace the old notice boardopposite the town hall andanother for the shop) to displayin formation and advertise localopportunities. This will hopefullybe a key community engagementasset as we endeavour to reachout to as much of the communityas possibly can.

Prestonpans CommunityCouncil

Seating & Planting

The funding we applied for withfor this project was mainly withour elderly residents in mind asthere are currently no seats orresting areas along the highstreet and the flower bedopposite the town hall is unusedand neglected. Hopefully byaddressing these 2 small issues,we can make our high streetmore attractive to the moreelderly members of ourcommunity.

Preston Lodge High SchoolPipe Band

New Uniforms

Funding helped to kit out 10 newband members with pipe banduniform. All 10 players performedat the British Pipe BandChampionships in May 2016earning 3rd prize, and 1st inDrumming. They will all continueto compete with the band as wellas support many community andcharity events.


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The Coalfields Regeneration TrustRegistered Charity No.1074930 in England and Wales

A Charity Registered in Scotland No SCO39277

Making it HappenThis Community Action Plan has set out the priorities for the development of

Prestonpans over the next 5 years as identified by the community through an

extensive process of community engagement carried out over a period of 6

months, June to November 2015.

The Plan contains

� A summary of the Prestonpans Community Profile

� Our main Likes and Dislikes expressed in the community survey

� Our Vision Statement for Prestonpans

� The main themes and priorities for taking action

Public Services

Our Local Environment

Community Activities

Local Amenities

� Making the links to other strategic plans

� The Partcipatory Budget projects that are helping kick start the Action Plan

The Community Action Plan is not just for the few but for everyone, we hope you

will read it, consider its content and help toward making it work by taking action

where you are, in whatever way you can. If everyone did something positive for

their community every day, then what a difference that would make!

Many thanks go to all those who took their time to share their views, to thevolunteers and participants who made the Community Open Day events a greatsuccess. Thanks go to members of the community who contributed the images inthis Action Plan.

To find out more information about the Action Plan or to volunteer with anyprojects please contact:

Helen HarperPennypit Centre, Rope Walk, Double Dykes, Prestonpans01875 819635

Design & Print by Armstrong Printing (Alloa) Ltd. Offices 75-77 Alloa Business Centre, Alloa FK10 3SA

Coalfields Community Futures

The Coalfields Community Futures Programme is an approach to local community planning and

sustainable community development that aims to encourage active citizenship and build local

democracy. It enables communities to devise a community action plan which makes a case for the

things that the community thinks are important and wishes to make happen.

The process builds on existing processes of community action research to identify local needs and

priorities, using residents as co-researchers. We work with local residents and groups to develop a

common sense of purpose and assist them to produce a deliverable community action plan.

To support the action planning process the community receive a Participatory Budget which is

available to local constituted community or voluntary groups.

This budget enables the community to fund small projects that are identified by the community

through the results of the household surveys, stakeholder interviews and the Community Open

Events.

Thank you to everyone who took part in helping Prestonpansl plan for a bright future.

community actionplan2016-2021 · prestonpanscommunityactionplan2016-2021 3 ourcommunitynow...

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