Agenda and minutes

Frank Baxter, Bute Community Council

Glen Heritage, Argyll Voluntary Action

The Minutes of the Meeting of 6^th June 2012 were agreed as a correct record with the following changes:-

At the end of the item related to the new arrangements for Public Entertainment Licences addition to read:-

"Iain MacNaughton asked that as he found Mr Reppke's verbal report very detailed and quite difficult to fully digest could a simple, explanatory leaflet be produced by the Council for the benefit of community groups, charitable bodies, etc.  Mr Reppke agreed this was worthy of consideration and also said that an appropriate press release on the matter would be issued."

On the Roads Issue item the second paragraph to read :-

"Iain MacNaughton suggested that it would be most helpful if from time to time, e.g. when concerns related to road repairs, roadworks, etc featured prominently, someone from Roads Department could attend the Community Council caucus meetings."

Jane McKenzie, Scottish Water

Jane McKenzie introduced herself to the meeting advising she was happy to attend meetings but asked for any issues to be raised with Scottish Water’s call centre so that they are not being held over until the next meeting.

Jane advised that the works at Loch Eck are now complete Scottish Water are, flushing out the system at the moment and the new Treatment Facility is working well.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Public Entertainment Licences

By- Elections

The Area Governance Manager advised she did not have any figures on the by-elections but thought that there would be no contested Community Councils in the Bute & Cowal Area.  She further advised that there will be a by-election for Kilfinan Community Council later in the year.

Training

Iain McNaughton and Sue Minns asked about the training being offered to Community Councils and the Area Governance Manager advised a report was being prepared at the moment but it looked like the training would focus on:-

         i.            Panning

       ii.            Governance

      iii.            IT/Social Media

     iv.            Community Engagement

Councillor Attendance

Iain McNaughton expressed his concerns about Councillors attending Community Council meetings and asked if the Members could set up a rota to attend.

Iain McNaughton asked for the School Catchment areas to be kept on the agenda until after the review.

Ken Barr asked about integration of the Fire Service/Police etc and was advised that it was regarding shared premises.

Argyll & Bute Council - Morag Brown, Improvement & HR

The IOD Programme Manager gave an update on the Community Resilience project advising that communities are being encouraged to complete the Scottish Government “Guide to emergency planning for community groups”.  Packs are going to be distributed by AVA and the Police to Community Councils.  The Community Planning Partnership is encouraging communities to complete their resilience plans and to highlight and promote the importance of self resilience.

Decision

After a full discussion the Group agreed:-

                                              i.            To note the progress of the Community Resilience project to date.

                                             ii.            To endorse the approach to the distribution and promotion of the Scottish Government community resilience toolkits.

                                           iii.            To promote the project within Bute & Cowal to encourage communities to complete their resilience plans and to highlight and promote the importance of self-resilience.

Argyll & Bute Council – Eileen Wilson, Chris Carr, Improvement & HR

The Area Governance Manager spoke on the population projections for Argyll and Bute.

Councillor Breslin said this was potentially a serious issue and that Communities and the Council should be sympathetic to Planning that may have an economic impact and the Area Governance Manager said the Economic Development Plan was focusing on keeping communities alive.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Sue Minns intimated her apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Report by Glenn Heritage, Argyll Voluntary Action

Yvonne Brown from AVA advised that the Co-Production conference proposal was approved at the Community Planning Management committee in August and will be taken forward by a small group.  The target audience for this conference are public sector staff and this will support implementation of the model of care across Argyll & Bute.  There is an Argyll & Bute Local Services Initiative event in October and AVA are ensuring relevant links are made.

Councillor Strong asked that a more appropriate title be used.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Presentation by Katrina Sayer, Argyll Voluntary Action

Yvonne Brown spoke on the Survive and Thrive Project advising the aims of this project is to establish a joint working approach to supporting survivors to have a greater sense of self worth and emotional wellbeing.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Councillor Macintyre intimated his apologies and left the meeting at this stage, Councillor Strong took over the Chair.

None

Lorna Ahlquist spoke on the Health and Wellbeing Partnership advising that there was still funding available both in Bute & Cowal to promote health and wellbeing initiatives.

Lorna Ahlquist also spoke on the Cowal Community Care Forum’s conference on health and social care, she advised the second stage conference would take place in October.

Liz Higgins spoke on the NHS 24/7 review advising that there is a preferred option but this has been slightly delayed.  She further advised the Pathfinder initiative in Bute will be started in Cowal in the near future.

Ann Scott advised that Business Gateway are not only there to help new businesses but they also help struggling or growing businesses, she advised that she has recently been helping the PA23BID.

Inspector Paul Robertson introduced himself to the meeting advising he was the new Inspector for Dunoon & Cowal.  He advised that Cowal Games went well and the Police are getting ready for the Royal National Mod in October.  On being asked about Police representation at Community Council meetings, he advised he would try and have a Police representative along to as many Community Council meetings as possible.

Bill Stewart from ABSEN spoke on Social Enterprise and gave an explanation on ABSEN’s remit.  He advised ABSEN are trying to increase their membership and are working closely with schools.

Argyll & Bute Council – Shirley MacLeod, Governance & Law

The Area Governance Manger spoke on the activities of the Community Safety Partnership and Iain McNaughton spoke on the upcoming “Safe and Sound Event”

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

The Area Governance Manager spoke on the proposals for the annual area forum event  advising the group would have to consider:-

         i.            The format of the event

       ii.            Length of the event

      iii.            How to include remote/island communities

     iv.            Would it be an opportunity to highlight good practice or showcase community projects.

       v.            Suggest appropriate topics for inclusion.

     vi.            Would these events be used to consult on issues/plans.

The Group discussed the possibility of having two half day events, one in Bute the other Cowal.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and agreed that November was too close to plan for this year and further agreed to feedback any information or ideas to the Area Governance Manger.