Agenda and minutes

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

Chief Inspector Mosley

Alison Black, Rape Crisis

The Minutes of the meeting of 17^th May 2011 were approved as a correct record.

The Group heard an informative presentation from Roanna Clark on the Young Scot initiative.  Roanna spoke on Dialogue Youth and the Young Scot Card, advising that Argyll & Bute have their own card which entitles the card holder to discounts, the use of the cashless catering system in schools, free bus transport as well as being a proof of age card.  Roanna also spoke on the website, the magazine and the Young Scot Action Fund.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Roanna Clark intimated her apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

The Group had an in depth discussion on the self assessment responses discussing the strengths and areas for improvement.  The Group felt that communication was key and Councillor Marshall asked that a small working group be set up to look at developing a communication plan.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and agreed the following:-

Alison McCrossan, Jane Fowler and Lyndis Davidson intimated their apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

The Group heard an informative presentation from David Torrance of AECOM on the Dunoon CHORD Project.  David spoke on the Queen’s Hall, the road alignment, harbourmaster office, the pier strategy and a lighting strategy and advised a public consultation was scheduled for Tuesday 20^th September from 12noon to 8.30pm.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Viv Smith and Janet McKellar intimated their apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Councillor Marshall gave the Group the NHS update advising that the Bute Pathfinder model was being implemented with positive feedback from the community.  The prevention of unnecessary admission into hospital is up but the length of stay is down.  Dr Lewis Smith was appointed Bute Clinical Lead.  The Cowal 24/7 Review Group is expanding to Strachur and Tighnabruich and the Out of Hours review will include Cowal and in-house.  Cowal Community Hospital has appointed 2 Rural Practitioners and enhanced emergency skills.  Lorna Alquist gave an update on the Palliative Care Review advising the group was half way through the process with an independent assessor being appointed.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided

Councillor R Simon intimated his apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Iain McNaughton spoke on the possibility of having a Mountain Bike Trail to attract Mountain Bikers to Dunoon.

Decision

It was agreed the Forward Dunoon & Cowal Group would progress this item.

Councillor Strong and Ann Scott intimated their apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Eleanor MacKinnon explained the Change Plan was no further forward at this point, she explained that there had been some confusion regarding this Plan because people thought it was a fund of money.

Decision

It was agreed that this item would be carried forward to the November meeting to hear the outcome of the Change Plans meeting in September.

Archie Reid intimated his apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Liz Marion advised the Group that there would be a workshop in Bute and one in Cowal with the results being fed back to this meeting.

Decision

The group noted the information provided.

Eleanor MacKinnon gave the Group an update on the change at Strategic Level of the Third Sector Partnership with regard to Bute Community Links.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Lorna Alquist expressed concern about the short notice given to groups and the problems it brings, she spoke particularly on the Grab Trust who thought that their cut was only going to be 5% and turned out to be 100%.  Councillor Walsh gave advice on the budget process and the problem the Council had this year with not getting as much funding as was originally thought and agreed that this was something that should be looked at.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Anne Gabriel, Eleanor MacKinnon and Eleanor Stevenson intimated their apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Liz Marion explained this item was just to highlight how well the Children and Familites consultation was.

This item was cover under Updates from Partners at point 6.

The Area Governance Manager advised the meeting on the recent Councillor Council By-Election saying that Kilmun Community Council was in contest and the ballot papers will be issued shortly.