Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were intimated from:

Councillor Ellen Morton

Councillor Vivien Dance

Councillor Aileen Morton

Councillor Maurice Corry

Councillor George Freeman

Councillor Robert G MacIntyre

Councillor David Kinniburgh

Councillor James Robb

Linda Skrastin

Neil Black

Tony Davey

Nick Davies

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning group held on 9 December 2014 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the meeting of the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee  held on 17 February 2015 was noted by the group.

Report by Area Governance Manager

The group gave consideration to the report which provided an update on the  progress of the development of Area Community Planning Group (Area CPG) Terms of Reference (TOR) and future ways of working,

The Area Committee Manager provided an overview of the report, asking the Group to give consideration to the recommendations contained in the report.  Councillor Richard Trail, moved that Councillor Gary Mulvaney be elected as Chair of the Area CPG.  There being no further nominations, Councillor Gary Mulvaney accepted the nomination and then asked for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair.  Mr John Tacchi seconded by Chief Insepctor Gary Stitt moved that Morevain Martin, Argyll Voluntary Action be elected as Vice-Chair.  There being no further nominations Morevain Martin  accepted the nomination, on condition that her Line Manager and Management Committee were in approval..

Decision

1.    To adopt the revised Terms of Reference submitted in the report;

2.    To appoint Councillor Gary Mulvaney as the Chair and Morevain Martin as the Vice Chair (subject to agreement by the AVA Management Committee) of the Helensburgh and Lomond CPG, and agreed that they take up these posts with effect 1^st April 2015;

3.    To the revised meeting schedule and dates submitted within the report, ;

4.    To incorporate a pre-agenda meeting into the administration process for the Area CPG; and

5.    That these revised ways of working are undertaken on a trial basis for a period of one year, with a review on their effectiveness then being carried out by the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee, and the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee. 

(Reference: Report by Head of Community and Culture, dated 10 March 2015, submitted)

Report by Area Governance Manager

The group gave consideration to the report which provided an update on the progress of agreed changes to membership for the Area Community Planning Group (Area CPG) asked the Area CPG to agree and adopt these.  The Area Committee Manager advised that in terms of the membership, Argyll and Bute Council and Community Councils were core partners of the group. 

Discussion took place on the membership list which was attached as an appendix to the report with it being noted that there was a lack of private sector partners.  It was suggested that the Chamber of Commerce be invited to become a partner, and that a revised list including all invited partners and core partners be prepared and circulated at the next meeting.

Decision

The group agreed :-

1.          the revised membership of the group as discussed at the December CPG meeting;

2.          That the revised membership is taken forward on a trial basis for a period of one year, with a review on its effectiveness then being carried out by the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee, and the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee; and

3.          That a revised list of members including invited partners and core partners would be prepared and circulated at the next meeting.

 (Reference: Report by Head of Community and Culture, dated 10 March 2015, submitted)

Reports by Area Governance Manager

The group gave consideration to the report which informed members of the consultative and inclusive process of creating the Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) Local document.

The Community Planning Manager provided an overview of the report and highlighted that the information in the document was a result of the workshops which were held recently. 

Decision

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 10 March 2015, submitted)

Reports by Area Governance Manager

The group gave consideration to the report which provided information gathered at the SOA local workshop held on 15 January 2015 which is not contained within the existing SOA:Local but may be of interest for future reference and discussion.

Discussion followed in regards the workshops held locally with it being noted that the information contained in the report would be discussed and included at future meetings. . 

The Chair highlighted that the ethos of the Helensburgh and Lomond CPG was to engage with other agencies and organisations to agree upon local outcomes and this would determine future developments and engagement.  

Decision

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 10 March 2015, submitted)

Update by Community Planning Manager

The group gave consideration to an update by the Community Planning Manager.  Ms Gold provided an overview of the structure in place for Community Planning in Argyll and Bute, this included looking at other structures in place across Scotland and highlighting the role of the Management Committee and the Partnership Board. She highlighted that the meeting schedule of the Management Committee had been revised to enable any ‘highlights from the Helensburgh and Lomond CPG’ to be discussed.

 Ms Gold also advised of the changes to Community Planning Partnership Board membership which will take place as a result of the introduction of the Community Empowerment Bill.  She also advised that Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland were now members of the Partnership Board.

She stated that she hoped to attend every 2^nd meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond CPG to answer any questions or concerns raised by the group.

Decision:

The group noted the information provided.

 Physical Activity update by the Health Improvement Team

The group gave consideration to a new position statement for physical activity which had been prepared for Argyll and Bute by the Health and Wellbeing Partnership, which was launched in January 2015.

The group heard from Yennie van Oostende, Senior health Improvement Specialist who outlined the 7 key target areas for action.  Ms van Oostende also made reference to a short film which it was agreed would be circulated to members of the group. She pointed out that a Sports Hub was being developed throughout different areas in Argyll and Bute and GPs routinely made referrals to local Leisure facilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F5Sly9JQao

Discussion took place on the work being undertaken by the Council to promote physical activity to employees including the Healthy Working Life’s initiative. It was noted that there were initiatives in place such as the Health and Well-being Grants scheme which could help with promoting physical activity in localities.

Decision

The group agreed to note the report and reference the link to the film.

(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Principal Argyll and Bute CHP, dated 10 March 2015, submitted)

Prior to consideration of the following items, the group noted the supporting information which related to Outcome 2.

Presentation by Scottish Water Regional Communities Manager

The group considered a presentation and an update from Joanna Peebles, Regional Communities Manager who outlined the forthcoming programme of works to be undertaken by Scottish Water in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

She highlighted that Scottish Water had new teams in place who would be working in conjunction with Local Authorities to reduce the timescale for applications. 

Discussion followed and several flooding issues were raised.  These included Rhu, Claddoch and the issue of flooding at West Clyde Street was raised. The Chair advised that the flooding issue at West Clyde Street  was in the process of being addressed and work was scheduled to commence to remediate this problem.

Ms Peebles advised that a new Freephone number was now in operation:-

 0800 0778 778.

However, she pointed out that the group could contact her directly to report any water issues.  Discussion also took place on the notification of Scottish Fire and Rescue in relation to water mains issues and planned maintenance with it being agreed that contact details would be provided to Scottish Water.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the presentation and update.

Update by Community Broadband Scotland representative

The group gave consideration to the update received from Community Broadband Scotland which provided the latest facts and statistics for the Argyll and Bute area.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

(Reference: Report by Community Broadband representative, dated February 2015, submitted)

Prior to consideration of the following items, the group noted the supporting information which related to Outcome 6.

Verbal update by Police Scotland representative

The group heard an update from Chief Inspector Gary Stitt who reported on a significant downward trend in crime across the area, which was indicative that plans in place were working well.

Road traffic fatalities were down from 10 to 4 and he highlighted the effectiveness of multi-agency group working.  He pointed out that road improvements and signage were being implemented in Arrochar.  In addition, Argyll and Bute Council were undertaking measures to increase driver’s road view at Strone Point.

Chief Inspector Stitt acknowledged the work carried out by local Anti Social Behaviour groups. He provided statistics for the local area and outlined that antisocial behaviour was down by 5%, disorder was down by 17%.

He reported on the possible merger between K and L division and advised that the consultation process had been extended.

Chief Inspector Stitt highlighted a few local initiatives which were proving very successful.  These included the Midnight League  and a funding grant for Cove and Kilcreggan Youth project based in Craigrownie Park.

Chief Inspector Stitt advised that he was leaving the area and transferring to a new post and wished to extend his thanks to the group for all the help and support he had received.

The Chair thanked Chief Inspector Still for his contribution to the group and wished him every success for the future.

Decision

The group agreed to note the update.

Verbal update by Scottish Fire and Rescue representative.

The group heard an update from David McCaughey, Scottish  Fire and Rescue (SFR) who reported on the Winter Action Plan which had taken place over the December – January Festive period.  He advised that there had been an increase in dwelling fires and outlined the procedure of post domestic incident responses. This was carried out after a house fire and entailed SFR engaging with neighbours to try and instigate Home Fire Safety visits and make safety comments. There had not been any fatalities, only 1 casualty who had suffered from smoke inhalation.

Mr McCaughey continued that SFR were also carrying out High Risk Safety visits – targeting the elderly. He highlighted that this was a case of good partnership working.

He advised the group of further SFR initiatives which included:-

Spring Action plan

Water Safety week

Deaf Awareness week

Boat Safety week

With the onset of the spring and summer, Mr McCaughey drew attention to the potential of grass and wood land fires. The summer period also meant that local crews engaged locally in attending local events.

The Chair thanked Mr McCaughey for his informative update.

Decision

The group agreed to note the update.

Report by Integration Project Manager

The group gave consideration to a report which provided the Community Planning Group with a progress report on the action undertaken to establish the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care partnership (HSCP)

Decision

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Programme Lead Integration, dated 10 March 2015, submitted)

Neil Sturrock, SPT advised of the recently agreed Capital Programme and of projects for the Helensburgh and Lomond area  which amounted to £425,000.00

Discussion followed and it was agreed to check the name and contact details of the new train company which would be operational by 1 April 2015.

The next meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group is scheduled for – Tuesday 12 May 2015.

The next meeting date for the Helensburgh & Lomond Area Community Planning Group is:-

12 May 2015 – 2.00p.m. Pillar Hall, Victoria Halls, Helensburgh

The Chair thanked everyone for attending and for their informative updates.