Agenda and minutes

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

Sandy Mactaggart, Link Director

Roanna Clark, Young Scot Co-Coordinator

Eileen Wilson, Community Planning Manager

Donald Morrison, Scottish Ambulance Service

The minutes of the meeting of 1^st March 2011 were approved as a correct record with the change in spelling of “learing” to “learning” in Liz Marion’s title and the addition of Donald MacLeod to the Apologies list.

Shirley MacLeod advised the Scorecard was a work in progress and she was expecting it to come to the September Local Area Community Planning Group meeting.

The Senior Community Learning and Development Worker spoke on the Training Event held in Strachur on 24^th February 2011.  Liz advised that a lot of information was taken from the “parking bays” this information was not relevant to the day but will be passed onto the relevant partner to be dealt with.  Alison McCrossan asked how this information would be taken forward and Liz Marion explained that once the pack is complete she intends on rolling it out to Community Groups, Community Councils etc.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and agreed the Senior Community Learning and Development Worker would circulate the Pack once completed.

(Reference: Report by Senior Community Learning and Development Worker 0 submitted)

Colin MacColl spoke on Strathclyde Fire Brigade’s concerns over items/bins being left in closes, causing a fire hazard.  Colin McCall explained that there are regulations to deal with these problems but Strathclyde Fire and Rescue do not have the resources to carry out the enforcement and asked that other partners help in the tackling of this issue. 

Viv Smith advised that all clinical waste should be kept under  specific conditions and if any partner noted in issue problem with the storage of this type of material  to contact her. 

Chief Inspector Mosley felt that the Anti-Social Sub Group would be the best forum to progress this issue.

Councillor Marshall asked if there was any statistics on incidents relating to this problem and Colin MacColl said he would get this information to the group.

Decision

The Group agreed that Anti-Social Sub Group would discuss how to tackle fire safety in tenement properties and that Colin MacColl would forward the statistics to the group.  Chairs of these groups will be asked to progress this issue, Eilidh FitzPatrick will inform them of this.

The Group heard an informative presentation from Ann Scott on the activities of Business Gateway.  Ann spoke on the support given to individuals want to start their own business and support given to existing businesses.  She spoke on workshops provided which includes bookkeeping, self assessment, websites etc. and a procurement workshop had bee delivered recently to help businesses with that process.  Over the past year Business Gateway has helped 36 business start and 108 existing they have provided 10 start up events and 9 other event and since 1^st April 2011 they have helped 5 business start up.  Details of lots of useful information including the workshops is available on their website or people can contact Ann direct.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Due to apologies being received from the officer involved this item was continued to the September Local Area Community Planning Group.

The Area Governance Manager advised the Partnership that the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was on 4^th June 2012 saying at the last Jubilee a series of beacons were lit by Community Council’s and asked if they were willing to do this on 4^th June.

Councillor Marshall advised that Dunoon Community Council have plans to light the Beacon in Dunoon and Donald MacLeod and James Bell advised they would discuss it with their Community Councils.

Decision

The Group agreed a letter would be distributed to all Community Council’s asking for their participation.

This is a very large document, if you wish a hard copy please contact Sybil Johnson of the Planning Department 01546 604308.

The Group heard an informative presentation from the Development Policy Manager on the Local Development Plan, Main Issues Report.  Fergus Murray emphasised that the Public need to get engaged in the process now to have any influence in the Plan. 

Viv Smith spoke on the consultation and noted  that a substantial proportion  of the “public” is public sector agency staff and queried whether the partners could use their electronic networks as an additional means of engaging with the target audience.  Fergus agreed that this could be a useful additional resource.

Fergus Murray advised that the Main Issues Report would ultimately be agreed by a Reporter in Edinburgh and it was very important to have Argyll & Bute’s viewpoint.

Decision

The Group agreed Fergus would send a link to members of the Local Area Community Planning Group to send round their staff.

The Area Governance Assistant explained that the Council’s website was being updated and the consultation diary had been taken off for the time being.  She advised that if anybody had any consultation they wish added to contact her.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Environment

Social Affairs

Economy

The Area Governance Officer updated the Partnership on the work being carried out by the three Thematic Groups.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Viv Smith advised the Group that the new Bute Hospital was opened today (17^th May) She spoke on the Government’s recommended guidance for beds in the Bute & Cowal area with a reduction from 19 to 13 beds in Bute and 25 to 19 in Dunoon.  Donald MacLeod said that the Community were worried about the reduction in beds but a lot of their concerns have been alleviated. 

Chief Inspector Mosley advised the group that the Road Police service is now part of the core shift pattern.  A new sergeant has been employed in Rothesay with a further 2 new recruits for Rothesay and 1 for Dunoon and the staff member in Rothesay has now been replaced.  The Chief Inspector advised that Bute & Cowal are the highest performing Police unit in Strathclyde.  He further advised that the new mobile unit is now in Dunoon and said to partners that it is a resource that can be used.  He said to partners that it would carry any literature they wish distributed.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.