Agenda and minutes

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

Alison Black, Rape Crisis

Andrew Maclure Strathclyde Fire & Rescue

The Minutes of the meeting of 6^th September 2011 were approved as a correct record.

The Group heard from Mr Charles Dixon-Spain of the Colintraive & Glendaruel Development Trust on their aspirations to acquire Stronafian Forest for a potential renewable energy development. 

Mr Dixon-Spain explained that the Trust are hoping to purchase the forest in Spring/Summer 2012 by a combination of commercial forest lease and grant funding.  The windfarm will be an extension to Cruach Mhor Windfarm and will be 49.9% owned by the Trust and 50.1% by Carbon Free.  The Trusts vision is to provide significant benefit in perpetuity to the community rather than just over the lifespan of the windfarm.  

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

The Group heard from the Leader of the Council on the budget challenges that the public sector are facing.  The Leader advised the purpose of the meeting was to seek views and encourage the public to get involved on which services are important and how the services should be delivered.  The Leader continued by outlining what the Council provides to the public and how the Council savings will impact on the community.  The Leader spoke on stimulating the economic activity and promoting tourism in the area with the sustainability of the Cowal Games, National Mod and other important events.  He also spoke on the £30m investment in the regeneration of the town centres.

The Link Director spoke on the amount the Council has to save in the next four years and explained how the budget has been spent in previous years.  The Link Director spoke on the action already agreed including service reviews and increase of fees.  The Link Director explained that the Council is a changing organisation with the reduction in the workforce.  He spoke on the performance of the Council advising that higher grade results continue to show improved performance, there has been 0 delayed discharges for more than 12 months, and over 40% of waste is being recycled and composted.  The Link Director also spoke on Economic Development including the CHORD Project, Renewable Energy, Business Gateway and Bids for external funds.   The Link Director encouraged people to get involved saying there was a budget simulator on the Council’s website as well as cards and an on-line survey. 

Viv Smith the Locality Manager for NHS Highland gave her presentation on the Community Health Partnership.  She spoke on the increasing levels of health need, quality being paramount and the characteristics of service delivery.  The Locality Manager also spoke on NHS Highland’s financial context for 2012/13 and specifically to Argyll & Bute.  She spoke on how the Community Health Partnership currently spends its budget and the challenges for the coming year.

Lorna Alquist spoke on behalf of Argyll Voluntary Action, she advised that the voluntary sector have always been able to draw external funding but this picture is rapidly changing as funds become even more competitive and funders restrict grants.  She advised that opportunities do exist they are just harder to find.

Chief Inspector Mosley spoke on the changes to Strathclyde Police advising the cuts were to back office staff and the public should continue not to notice the difference.  He spoke on the local youth initiative that was recently carried out in partnership with the Grammar School the Help project and the local Drug and Alcohol Forum. 

The Public asked questions on the social care package falling into the voluntary sector, adult care, if there was going to be savings to learning disability, if the Council were having to save the statutory requirements of the Council, if the services in the NHS are safe, the future of Dunoon Community Hospital, rationalisation of Council offices, sharing services with other Councils, cost effective rural recycling, clarification on service reviews, how the Council receives its money, and the clarification on the service review of Estates. These questions were responded to by the partners as appropriate

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and agree the public questions will be fed into the Budget Process.

Decision

It was agreed to continue this item until the next meeting.

Decision

It was agreed to continue this item until the next meeting.

The Caucus of Community Councils advised that this item had been covered during the budget presentation and they were happy to hear that Dunoon Community Hospital was safe.

Decision

Noted the information provided.

Decision

It was agreed to continue this item until the next meeting.

Decision

This item was discussed during the Budget Consultation.

Decision

It was agreed to continue this item until the next meeting.

Decision

The Caucus of Community Councils advised that this item had been resolved at the Association of Community Council meeting.