Issue - meetings

Question from Kenny Matheson, Dunoon Community Council

Dunoon Community Council has been in ongoing dialogue with officers from the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), it has been intimated that Struan Lodge has been earmarked for closure with the loss of its excellent staff as a consequence. Dunoon Community Council would therefore like to ask if the Area Committee is aware of the situation at Struan Lodge and if so support Dunoon Community Council in our endeavours to reverse the position of the HSCP and keep Struan Lodge open for its elderly residents and thereby securing the long term employment of the existing, excellent staff.

Response from Committee

The Chair stated that a meeting with local ward Members and Community Councils was scheduled for 3 March 2021 where they will discuss the proposals and he looked forward to seeing what potential future plans would be put forward associated with any decisions taken.  The Chair confirmed that the invitation would be extended to include all Cowal Members should they wish to take part in the discussion.

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly confirmed that she was aware of a discussion last year with the community and local groups and felt assured at the time of the direction of travel the HSCP was taking. Since then there had been huge changes brought about due to the pandemic and at a recent meeting she felt the involved trade unions were acutely aware of the situation and how to protect their own members whilst working in conjunction with HSCP towards delivering 7 star outcomes for the residents of Struan Lodge.

Councillor Jim Anderson commented that as had been seen in Helensburgh Waterfront Development he would be keen to see proposals to replace facilities with new builds stating that Struan Lodge was not just where people live but where they are rehabilitated.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to arrange a Special Business Day meeting inviting the HSCP to provide and update on wider care issues, specifically the future of Struan Lodge and that an update be brought to June’s Area Committee meeting by HSCP Officers.

Question from Willie Lynch, Dunoon Community Council

As part of the agreed council budget, was the capital spend for 21/22 agreed? If so what project(s) in Dunoon have been allocated funds?

Response from Committee

The Chair confirmed that a report to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee containing details on the capital spend was due to be made public shortly.

Councillor McNeilly advised that a science, technology and education business hub in Hill Street had been approved and there was money to be put into the local roads network. She further stated that there was a real necessity for Members to monitor additional expenditure closely through regular reporting to committees.

Discussion focused on what was being done to keep and attract talent in Dunoon such as through apprenticeships and teacher training programmes as well as rationalising council assets such as surplus buildings.