Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor R Macintyre

Councillor J R Walsh

Sandy Mactaggart, Link Director

Geoff Calvert, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue

David McCaughey, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue

Donald MacLeod, Bute Community Council

Eileen Wilson, Community Planning Manager

Councillor Marshall opened the meeting by saying how important it was that we are a partnership with all partners having an equal say.

The minutes of the meeting of 26^th August 2010 were approved as a correct record.

Janet McKellar spoke on the request from the 3^rd Sector to have increased attendance at the LACPG meetings and it was agreed that 3 representatives would be invited along, one from Argyll Voluntary Action, one from Social Enterprise and one from the Community Trusts.  Councillor Simon advised that he valued the partnership approach and felt that there were too many Councillors attending the meeting, it was agreed that one Member from each ward would attend along with the Chair. 

Decision

The Group agreed that 3 representatives from the 3^rd Sector along with the Chair plus 3 elected Members would attend meetings.

Members heard an informative presentation from Viv Smith on the Re-design of the Mental Health service.  The Group asked questions on 48hr responses, problems with transportation off the Island of Bute, places of safety, the size of the local team, and the scale of the mental health problem in the area.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Shirley MacLeod advised the Group that there had been no feedback on the Partnership Agreement and asked if the Group was therefore happy to agree the finalised Partnership Agreement.

Decision

The Group agreed the finalised Partnership Agreement noting that the agreed Area Outcomes have to be inserted into the document.

Shirley MacLeod advised the Group on the suggested process to enable integration of relevant Local Partnerships with the Local Community Planning Group.  Shirley explained the pro-forma will only be used if the Partner has something to tell the LACPG regarding a Local Outcome.

Decision

The Group agreed:-

i.               The importance of existing partnerships and networks in helping achieve Community Planning Outcomes.

ii.             To identify which partnerships would be asked to submit reports

iii.            To use the pro-forma to gather information on progress being made on Local Outcomes.

Ian McNaughton spoke on the confusion in the existing system over the amount of meetings community groups are asked to attend.  Ian said that he found the Health meetings most confusing between the Cowal Community Care Forum, Locality Meeting etc and felt that they should all come under a central body.  Councillor Marshall and Alison McCrossan explained the reason for all the health meetings.  Shirley MacLeod circulated a diagram which tried to explain the set up of meetings and it was agreed Shirley MacLeod and Chief Inspector Mosley would work on providing a suitable outline partnership structure for local groups.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and agreed that Shirley MacLeod and Chief Inspector Mosley would provide a detailed structure diagram to the next meeting, with the aim of integrating and rationalising existing partnerships to provide an effective structure.

Shirley MacLeod reported on the recent Seminar held in Rothesay and advised the Partnership that she was looking at the outcomes and would bring proposals for any amendments to the Local Community Plan to the next Group meeting.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Shirley MacLeod advised the group if they would like a copy of the Community Engagement Strategy to let her know.  Heather Grier said that the message about the Council’s budget was not getting across to the general public and she felt Community Councils need to do their part in getting the message out.  Brian Chennell said that the public think the Council is overstaffed, Shirley explained that the Council are going through a Service Review process at this moment with multiple job losses, the Council have also asked every member of staff about voluntary redundancy and early retirement.  Chief Inspector Mosley advised that the Public Sector is trying to keep things running to the way it has always been and they are now struggling.  Shirley advised that the Council redundancies would have an affect on the local economy because 1 in 6 families in this area have somebody who works for the Council.  The Group discussed having another event in the Queen’s Hall to discuss the extent of the Councils budget.

Decision

The Group agreed Shirley MacLeod would investigate if it was possible to have a seminar on the Council’s budget in the Queen’s Hall.

Shirley MacLeod updated the Partnership on the work being carried out by the Economy Thematic Group.  Councillor Simon explained that the next tranche of work to be carried out by the Economy Thematic Group was procurement and advised that the group would be discussing the pre qualifying questionnaire (PQQ) process and how they could help local businesses complete this information.  Ishabel Bremner also spoke on the Economic Development Action Plan, which is the Plan for delivering economic development in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Shirley MacLeod updated the Partnership on the work being carried out by the Social Affairs Thematic Group.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Shirley MacLeod updated the Partnership on the work being carried out by the Environment Thematic Group.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

David Clements spoke on the LACPG scorecard, advising the Partnership that they have to decide what they think is important and would like to see on the scorecard as indicators of progress.  Ishabel Bremner was asked how many business start ups there were at area level in Bute and Cowal and it was agreed she would provide this information.

Shirley Macleod advised the Group that the Renewable Energy Action Plan was out for consultation and if there was any issues that the group feel should be included to let her know.  Andy Mosley asked about transportation of infrastructure for renewable on the road system, advising it uses a lot of Police time and suggested that transportation by sea was a better option.

Peter McWhinnie suggested water turbines in the Kyles of Bute because there was a tidal flow of 7-9 knots.

Councillor Marshall said that there was a need for community groups to look at methods of revenue raising by looking into green energy projects for instance Colglen Community Development Trust are doing as well as a number of other rural Tursts and he urged that Cowal Community Trust look into the possibilities for Dunoon.    Councillor Marshall urged the Dunoon Community to be more proactive in taking an interest in their surroundings eg.  taking ownership of soft landscaped areas and actually doing some of the work and instancing what Rothesay have achieved.      Janet MacKellar spoke on the WIAT project which Forward Dunoon & Cowal had handed over to DCT to take forward, this is an excellent project and has a real prospect of getting considerable grant funding from FCS.

Councillor McNaughton spoke on the Renewable Schemes in Colintraive and Glendaruel.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and agreed to contact Shirley MacLeod with any issues they wanted included.