Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor A MacAlister

Councillor R Macintyre

Martin Turnbull, Youth Services Manager

Donald MacLeod, Bute Community Council

David McCaughey, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue

The minutes of the meeting of 13^th May 2010 were approved as a correct record.

The Chairman ruled and the Committee agreed, in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2 that a report regarding Benmore Botanic Gardens Proposed New Visitor Hub, dealt with at item 6 of this minute, be taken as a matter of urgency.

Eileen Wilson spoke on the Partnership Agreement for Local Partnerships advising that the Bute & Cowal table of agreed outcomes will be inserted into the report.  Eileen asked for any feedback and the Group agreed that any comments would be directed to Eileen. 

Decision

The Group agreed the finalised Partnership Agreement would come to the next meeting for agreement.

Jane Fowler spoke on the New Vision for Argyll and Bute advising that the current vision is to be the Leading Rural Area and advised that since the Council are becoming more outcome focused through the Single Outcome Agreement the vision needs to explicitly reflect this.  The Group discussed scrutiny of outcomes and measuring this through scorecards in the Pyramid system and Jane explained that even if partners did not have access to the Pyramid system there will be updates on the Council website and these will be submitted to meetings.

Decision

The Group agreed to note the contents of the submitted report and provide feedback on the proposed new vision and values highlighted in relation to the identified priorities in the area and noted that a further report will be provided to the CPP Management Committee in September once feedback from the areas has been gathered.

Sandy MacTaggart gave a presentation on the Councils Budget Outlook advising of Argyll and Bute forecast and the future challenges.  Sandy explained that the Council will have a funding gap between £9m and £13m and explained how the Councils budget was spent.  He said that the Council have started service reviews and consultation with the public, communities, media, employees and trade unions.  He went on to explain the key stages of the service reviews.  Sandy asked for feedback from partners that would in turn be fed into the budget process.

Jo Smith split the group into working groups to consider where they would make the savings and the consensus was that the Council continue to carry out statutory functions and think about doing all other functions differently.

The Group discussed where the savings were to come from and clarified that if they did not take money from one Department then the other Departments would have to make up the shortfall.  The Group also discussed the consultation process and Douglas Hendry that there was an online facility for feedback.  Councillor Marshall asked for a press release to let the public know there of the hard times to come and Jo Smith advised that there had been a media briefing and she would keep the momentum going.  Andrew Mosley said that £40m over 3 years turns into difficult choices and the Council will have to look at Roads and Education.  Viv Smith wished to commend the Council opening up the budget process to public consultation and advised that the NHS would be following in the Council’s footsteps.

Decision

The Group agreed that the Budget workshop would be an item for inclusion at the Community Seminar in October.

Councillors Scoullar, Simon and Strong intimated their apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Members heard an informative presentation from Carron Tobin on the Benmore Botanic Gardens proposed New Visitor Hub.  Carron spoke on the projects hopes, fears and aspirations, advising that the Botanic Gardens realise that partnership working is key and therefore are working with SNH, FCS, the National Park, HIE, Argyll & Bute Council and hopefully the Community Planning Group.  Peter McWhinnie asked if Carron had contact the Education department and Carron advised she had. Janet Skillin said she should contact The Bute Community Land Company who have recently purchased a Forest in Bute and contact Kew Gardens. 

The Group thanked Carron for her presentation and agreed to be a partner with the project.

Douglas Hendry and Sandy Mactaggart intimated their apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Douglas Boynton spoke on the Review of the Learning Disability Services advising that there was an increase in demand for services and they need to satisfy policy requirements in response to user/carer choice.  Douglas spoke on the Home and Community Service budget and where this was spent, he also spoke on the review process advising that the review was structured on Treasury Green Book Guidance.  Douglas spoke on the options for change with building based day services and services delivered in the home or community.

Viv Smith asked for clarity over Residential Care Homes and Douglas explained this was not about general care homes it was learning disability care homes.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

This item was postponed to the next meeting.

Shirley MacLeod advised that the next Community Seminar would be held on Saturday 23^rd October in the Rothesay Joint Campus and a large part of the programme will be the budget consultation issue.

Decision

The Group noted the progress made in planning the second local community seminar, as a key delivery mechanism outlined within the Community Engagement Strategy.

Liz Marion spoke on Young People and Community Planning advising the process is not user friendly for young people.  Liz recommended that the Group agree to a pilot youth focus meeting where young people would lead the session.  Liz asked that the event be carried out in November.

The Group expressed concerns over the timescale of the event and felt that November was too soon.

Decision

The Group agreed that Liz Marion and Shirley MacLeod would discuss having the Local Community Planning Group Meeting in January led by young people.

Eileen Wilson spoke on the Community Engagement Strategy advising that the Strategy has been reviewed and updated.  Eileen gave a reassurance that the Council is committed to delivering the Strategy.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report and acknowledged the progress made in delivering the Community Engagement Strategy.

Eileen Wilson explained that one of the main outcomes of the Action Plan was to gather and record engagement activities of all partners at all levels.  Eileen said that as part of this pro forma the Council will gather information about planned, current or recent consultations, this will be advertised on the Council’s website with a link to the particular consultation. 

Decision

The Group agreed the proposed format for gathering and sharing information and agreed that partners would use the form to gather information and return it within the time agreed.  The Group further agreed that the Consultation Diary Update will be an agenda item at every second LACPG meeting.

Geoff Calvert intimated his apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Jane Fowler spoke on Scorecards advising that they were in early stages of pulling together service delivery.  Jane explained the Council is working to provide partner access to the Pyramid system the first being Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership.  Jane said that the Group must decide on the most important Key Performance Indicators, these must be something that can be measured.  Jane further explained that it was important that partners contribute towards the scorecard.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.