Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of the following:-

Councillor R Simon

David McCaughey, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue

Viv Smith, NHS Highland

Peter MacDonald, Fyne Homes

Mike Geraghty, ABSEN

Donald Morrison, Scottish Ambulance Service

None

The minutes of the meeting of 12^th January 2010 were approved as a correct record.

The Group discussed the Area Community Seminar and agreed it was a great success.  Brian Barker explained that the outcomes from this seminar have been incorporated in the Area Community Plan. 

Brian Barker spoke on the Area Community Plan advising that it goes into more detail than expected.  Brian advised that he looked at the overall voting process and weighted some of the preferences accordingly.  Brian explained that he had taken out the information about Capital Investment because this requires detailed information and is something that should be considered in the future. 

Brian Chennell said that within the plan it identifies local businesses taking the lead for some actions and asked if this could be mentioned when applying for the BIDS Scheme and Brian Barker said that would be acceptable.

Sandy Mactaggart noted that sport/sport development was not part of Health and Wellbeing and Shirley MacLeod advised that this was dealt with under prevention schemes.

Lorna Ahlquist said that the plan was based on the people who attended and this was the first step; some items will be missed but it will be developed as the process is taken forward.

Liz Marion advised that she will be posting the Plan to everybody who was invited along to the seminar.

The Group agreed the Area Community Plan.

Peter McWhinnie advised that the Local Community Council were keen to bring rural transport and lack of facilities to the Development Plan; he advised that the group of Community Councils met last Wednesday to discuss Strategic Issues but found this difficult when papers were issued so close to meetings.

Councillor Marshall advised that he had asked that the Agenda be issued a month before the meeting to allow groups to discuss items.  He advised that Officers should provide reports well in advance of meetings to make this process robust.

Donald MacLeod asked about Planning Permission for Windfarms and if there was a policy on these; Councillor Walsh advised there are policies within the Local Development Plan and Community Councils are statutory consultees within the planning process.

Lorna Ahlquist spoke on the 3^rd sector finding it hard in terms of funding when people don’t know about grants and said that there needed to be a mechanism in place for communication.  Councillor Walsh advised that there had been a change in the issuing of voluntary sector grants which is now one grant fund with a separate Events and Festival grant.  Councillor Walsh explained that Argyll & Bute Council would be looking at 15% cuts across the board and there is a chance that the grants budget could be removed.

Eileen Wilson spoke on the Principles of Representation paper advising that everybody has to be represented and there must be a mechanism put in place to allow communication to get to the table.

The Group discussed the number of Community Councillors that should be involved within the group and it was agreed that 4 would be the maximum, the additional attendee will be identified by the Community Council Caucus, and will represent the rural Cowal Community Councils.

Eileen Wilson explained that there was a new Web Team within the Council who will be tasked with ways of getting information out. 

Brian Barker spoke on the Third Sector Interface saying there was agreement for a third sector representative on the LACPG group.

Councillor Marshall said that the third sector was a mass of organisations and asked how they would interact with everybody.

Brian Barker explained that connection was through the CVS, Volunteer Centre, ABSEN etc and Janet Skillin explained that they were a newly formed partnership and their first task was about representatives and at their second meeting they will be discussing subjects.  Janet said that they are now accountable for the third sector.  Lorna Ahlquist said that there was no money for the representatives and the resources were needed to keep websites up to date. Brian Barker explained that Liz Marion had an important role because she was part of the third sector support.

Eileen Wilson asked the meeting to think about if they want a local Mission Statement or one for all areas. 

It was agreed that Eileen would send around the draft Mission Statements she had and the Group would think about it for the next meeting.

This item was withdrawn.

The Group discussed the date of the second community seminar and it was agreed it would be held on the 11^th September due to the Flower Show being held on the 4^th.  It was further agreed a small working group would be setup with Liz Marion reporting back to the LACPG Group.

Eileen Wilson advised there was a Community Planning event being held on 15^th June in Glasgow and the group agreed that Janet Skillin and Donald MacLeod would like to attend.

Eileen Wilson advised that the Better Communication Project would be on the next agenda.

To be notified to the Chair at least one week before the meeting.

Brian Chennell advised that he could only currently represent members of the Business Association although if the BIDS Scheme is successful then he will have to deal with all businesses to establish what projects are achievable.