Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor R Macintyre

Councillor A McNaughton

Councillor L Scoullar

Councillor R Simon

Councillor I Strong

Councillor J R Walsh

Sandy Mactaggart, Link Director

Lorraine Paterson, NHS Highland

Janet MacKellar, HELP

Anne Gabriel, Dunoon Community Council

The Minutes of the Meeting of 10^th January 2012 were agreed as a correct record.

Jodie Malone and Sarah Long spoke on how they became involved in Women into Public Life Training.  They spoke on the Viewpoint drama which took place in Strachur which had funding support from Argyll and Islands Leader Programme and Working and Learning Together.  Jodie and Sarah spoke on what was discussed at this event including transport, poverty and services which included lack of housing, employment etc, they advised that housing, employment and education and affordable childcare were the most important issues for young women.

Liz Marion explained that there had been two other events held, one in Rothesay and Dunoon.

Decision

The Group thanks Jodie and Sarah for their presentation and agreed that the current Consultation on Rural Housing would be circulated to all Community Councils in Argyll and Bute and Chief Inspector Mosley by ACHA via the Council’s Governance & Law Staff.

Vicky Neville, Community Development Ranger, spoke on the progress made with the Forestry for People initiative.  She spoke on the promotion of the Bishop’s and Morag’s Fairy glens, organising community activities, development links between the project and schools, ongoing maintenance, outdoor and environmental activities and the planning, monitoring and maintenance of the areas.  She spoke on the projects lined up for the next 6 months including the continuation of the woodland gym, employment programme and volunteer work. 

The Group asked questions on the activities being held in the Glens and received advice.

Decision

The Group thanked Vicky for her presentation and agreed to circulate her contact details.

Members heard from Alistair MacGregor on the investment programme in Bute & Cowal for 2012 and initiatives ACHA will be taking forward including affordable housing in Ardenslate and Lochgoilhead, modernisation at Massan View, Colintraive, Regent and Salisbury Terrace, roof and roughcast works in Rothesay and Dunoon.   Alistair also spoke on the introduction of the Allpay system, Good Garden and Good Neighbour schemes, the SHIP submission to the Scottish Government and the Welfare Rights Service.  He further spoke on ACHA being a charity, the Community Action Fund, Rural Housing Development Fund and the Pressured Area Designation being in place.

Decision

Several questions having been put and answered, the Group noted the information provided.

Councillor McQueen, Louise Cassidy, Sarah Long, Jodie Malone, Alastair MacGregor and Iona MacPhail intimated their apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

This item was postponed to the next Local Area Community Planning Group meeting.

Lorna Ahlquist spoke on the Coproduction workshop taking place on 26^th March aimed at disabled people.

Lorna also advised that there are a number of directories being produced at the moment including Mental Health, Dementia, Crossroads etc. and she spoke on the advice network inter agency referral service being a useful toolkit.

Lorna spoke on the Change Fund saying it was to help vulnerable people in the communities.

She further spoke on the Cowal 24/7 review which is the review of out of ours and GP hospital services.  Chief Inspector Mosley and Andrew Maclure expressed their concerns the impact of this review would have to blue light services.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and agreed to put the Change Fund on the next agenda.

Councillor Marshall said the LACPG was about groups in the communities bringing things to the meeting.

Sue Minns advised that the Caucus was struggling to work, they needed more members to attend.  She explained the Head of Governance and Law had attended the last Caucus meeting and it was a very productive.  She advised they would like Council Officer to attend meetings to give advice on roads issues etc.   Councillor Marshall felt that Roads issues should be coming to the LACPG agenda and not the Caucus and the Group discussed this.

Decision

It was agreed that an Officer from Governance & Law would attend the next Caucus meeting and strategic issues would be discussed at LACPG level but smaller ones would be discussed and hopefully resolved at the Caucus.

Archie Reid expressed his concerns on people parking all day on Ferry Brae when it is a 30min only area.  He said it is starting to affect his business and has got progressively worse since the Traffic Warden has left.

Chief Inspector Mosley advised that it was a question of priorities with the resources he had.  Mark Wilson advised the Police are in the process of developing a Business Plan to allow the Council to issue parking fines.  He explained that it was a lengthy process where all parking needs to be de-crimalised and then re-legislated to allow for the Council to take it on.  This is being done at Senior Officer and Executive Level and will take a further 18 months to materialise.  Chief Inspector Mosley advised he would make sure the Police take Ferry Brae into account when they are doing their rounds.

Liz Marion spoke on the Better Community Engagement Resource Pack, advising on who it was for, what it was for and why it has been produced.  She spoke on the tools contained in the pack and how it is all linked to Community Planning.  Liz advised the pack will be put on the Council’s website and if anybody wished a cd or printed pack to contact her.

Decision

The Group thanked Liz for her presentation and noted the information provided.

Katrina Sayer spoke on the Involving to Devolving project that is based on participatory involvement.  She advised that AVA are speaking to patrons but do not want to duplicate work, their aim is to fill the gaps and identify areas needing increased capacity. 

Alistair McLaren advised he had sent a letter to the Community Council’s and spoke on the Timebank.

Sue Minns advised the events diary was very useful and Chief Inspector Mosley said it was economically sustainable to have more attractions on different days rather than all on one day. 

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

The Area Governance Manager spoke on the self assessment that was discussed at the local community planning in August and November 2011.  The Group discussed the findings and the timings of the meetings along with video conferencing facilities.  They also discussed the need for the business sector to link into the LACPG and to feed back any contacts to the Area Governance Manager. 

The Area Governance Manger also spoke on the strategic partner linkages and said this would come to the next meeting.

Decision

The Group agreed to:-

i.         Try alternating the time of the meetings.

ii.       Try to keep agendas as short as possible.

iii.      Try using the video conference facilities.

Environment

Social Affairs

Economy

The Area Governance Manager updated the Group on the work being carried out by the three Thematic Groups.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Andrew Maclure spoke on Strathclyde Fire & Rescue trying to promote Home Fire Safety Visits.  He spoke on the people most at risk of fires and explained the visits are free of charge and SFR will fit smoke detectors if needed.  He urged people to ask their clients to contact SFR on the free phone number 0800 0731 999, the website or via any fire station.

The Area Governance Manager advised the Group that they should consider postponing the meeting scheduled for 1^st May to June due to the Local Government Elections being held on 3^rd May 2012.

Decision

The Group agreed a suitable date in June would be distributed after the Local Government Elections.