Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

Matthew Corns, Argyll and Bute Council

Margaret Dagleish, Argyll and Bute Council

Fiona Scott, Argyll and Bute Council

Kay McGee, Argyll and Bute Council

June Graham, Argyll and Bute Council

Alex Taylor, Argyll and Bute Council

Caroline Henderson, NHS Highland

Inspector Julie McLeish, Police Scotland

Iona MacPhail, ACHA

Dave Blezard, Outside Edge

Oban, Lorn and the Isles Safety Forum – 27^th August 2014

The Minutes of the previous Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Safety Forum held on 27^th August were approved as a correct record.

The Chair gave an update to the Forum on behalf of Inspector McLeish.  He advised that there have been no burning issues at the moment and that Police Scotland are currently moving on to covering winter events with the various parades etc.  He advised that the Hogmanay in Oban event is still to be finalised and that Inspector McLeish is currently seeking a suitable meeting date with the organisers and other agencies to tie up the loose ends.

He confirmed that the safer roads policing continues with emphasis on education and enforcement backed up by Police Scotland’s Road Policing department and the Trunk Roads Policing Group at Fort William.

He updated the Forum on the work which has been undertaken around possible local road diversion routes following on from the A85 closure during the last serious accident but advised that the roads themselves have been confirmed as not being suitable for the volume of traffic they would anticipated to accommodate as the A85 diversion and it seems the recognised diversion route will remain A816/A819 as before.

The Chair advised that the  festive season will be promoted with the usual drink driving campaigns and late night alcohol safety information is being handed out.

Chief Inspector Baillie gave an update on the festive season campaign which is ongoing for the month of December.  She advised that this will cover domestic abuse, licensed premises and shop a dealer which is aimed to tackle local drug dealers all over Argyll and Bute.

She updated the Forum on the recent accident which took place over the last couple of weeks where the road was closed for 3 to 4 hours.  She advised the local response from Transport Scotland, local authority and Police Scotland was very good and the school children got home safely via train.

Martin Hill updated the Forum on the recent Bonfire Strategy which was a success.  He also updated the Forum on the Cut it Out Campaign which was delivered to S6 pupils in Oban High School to teach them about safe driving in Argyll and Bute.

He advised that the festive campaign is underway and there will be an article in the Oban Times to send out safe messages relating to alcohol, cooking and electrical safety.

Road Safety

The Chair gave an update on behalf of the Road Safety department.  He advised that Roads and Amenity Services carried out footway improvements and extended the barriers outside of Oban Joint Campus following concerns from the School and Parent Council.

He updated on the Road Safety Programme which Rockfield Primary have been involved in from early years to primary 7.

He advised that car seat clinics were carried out in Oban recently and these are organised in conjunction with Road Safety Scotland who provide experts to check and fit any car seats.

The Chair gave an update on the pedestrian training which is a initiative with schools signing up annually as a 3 week training programme involving practical training using the road networks near the school and training for this has taken place in Rockfield and Barcaldine with Park Primary School due to take part next session.

He advised that two members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Oban, along with the Road Safety Unit provided a young driver initiative to all pupils in 6^th Year at Oban High School and feedback so far has been positive and it is hoped that this could be repeated in other secondary schools in Argyll and Bute if resources allow.

The Chair finished off by updating the Forum on the iCycle scheme where training has been undertaken at Dunbeg, Rockfield, Lochnell, Salen, Easdale, Dervaig, Taynuilt, St Columbas and Lochdonhead Primary Schools.

Environmental Health

The Environmental Health Officer gave an update on the new legislation food information for consumer’s regulations 2014 which will change labelling for all business, not just manufacturers for identifying allergens in food which will also appear in pubs and restaurants.

She updated the Forum on all the upcoming events and advised the fireworks were a success.

She advised that the food standards agency will be providing information on how to cook your turkey properly for the festive season.

A matter was raised about ducks on the road at Pennyfuir and the danger to road users which is the potential cause of an accident. They were referred to Environmental Health.

Unfortunately there was no one present from NHS for this item.

Murray Humphries from Lochwatch Loch Awe gave an update on the Loch Patrol Boat and advised that due to the torrential rain in October, this caused the levels of the loch to rise by over seven feet and as a result of this, the pier and pontoon at Innis Chonain were rendered unusable. He advised the loch levels were at 125 feet, just 2 feet less than the highest recorded level and that there was some damage to the pontoon and pier but the patrol boar was safe on its mooring in the loch.  He confirmed that contingency plans were put in place to launch the boat if it was required but routine patrols had to be suspended and loch levels have now returned to normal.

He advised the Forum that LochWatch was launched at the Cruachan Power Station Visitors Centre in March 2010 making 2015 the fifth anniversary and plans to mark the occasion are being drawn up and members of the Community Safety Forum will be invited along.

Murray gave an update on Scotland’s Water Safety Reference Group and advised the next meeting will be held in December in Helensburgh.  He advised that local authorities, the emergency services and the voluntary sector are represented on this group.

He advised that LochWatch are currently looking for volunteers.

The Chair advised that a new Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Safety Forum will be appointed at the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee on 10^th December and would be there for the next meeting in February.

He also advised that No Cold Calling stickers are now available free of charge from Police Scotland and Council buildings.

The next Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Safety Forum will be held on Wednesday 25^th February 2015 at 2pm in Oban Community Fire Station.