Issue - meetings

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners

Police Scotland

Chief Inspector Paul Robertson gave an update to the Group on the busy last few months Police Scotland have had in the Bute  and  Cowal area.

He confirmed that policing for the Cowal Games and Bute Highland Games was delivered successfully with very minimal disorder and anti-social behaviour figures were low.

He advised there has been a general increase in anti-social behaviour across the board.  He spoke about the police action plan for Bute and Cowal for town centre and licenced premises to help minimise complaints from the public.

He advised that the new Police Engagement Officer, PC David McPhee is settling in well in post and has close links with the schools and other local groups.  His aim is to raise awareness and concentrate on young people that are vulnerable, and is progressing with initiatives on drugs and cyber-crime.  He confirmed he has been in discussions with David Mitchell, Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School and they are in the early stages of recruiting adult volunteers to help deliver and support local events.

Paul advised that a road safety campaign, drink driving campaign and anti-social/violence campaign is ongoing.

Scottish Fire and Rescue

Stuart MacDonald gave an update to the Group on the recent fire course which took place in Rothesay to help recruit new firefighters.  He advised they are currently down one community fire fighter but hope to fulfil the post in the near future.

Argyll TSI

The Chair advised that Argyll TSI have been going through a difficult period recently but a lot of good stuff is still going on.

He updated the Group on the Volunteer of the Year’s Awards event he attended in Oban where the award went to a man in Bute and encouraged the group to attend next year.

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners

Scottish Fire & Rescue

Derek Wilson updated the Group on statistics over the last quarter for Scottish Fire and Rescue in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area. 

Mr Wilson gave a presentation to the group on the local area plan consultation for 2017.  He spoke about the national overview and the local overview, the management structure and the operational activity overview. Derek invited members of the group to participate in the consultation, which is open until July

Argyll & Bute TSI

Joan Best advised the Group that the Robertson Trust will be in Oban on 8^th May for 1 to 1 sessions but they are fully booked but advised the Big Lottery are in Oban on 16^th June for 1 to 1 sessions  and  there are currently 5 spaces left.

She confirmed that this year’s Recruitment Fair will be held on 17^th June in the Argyllshire Gathering Halls and the Volunteer Awards are on 7^th September.

Emails giving details of both of these events are attached with the minute of this meeting.

Hope Kitchen

Lorraine MacCormick gave an update to the Group on the new premises that Hope Kitchen will be moving into in June.  She confirmed it will be on 2 Soroba Road (the old Swap Shop) and thanked the community for all their help and support in making this happen.  She advised there will be an open day in June and agreed to forward   this information for distribution around the Group once confirmed.

Lorraine advised that Hope Kitchen are holding a number of events on week commencing 8^th May for Mental Health Awareness Week and welcomed anyone to come along.

In the absence of a representative from Scottish Fire and Rescue, the Area Committee Manager provided an update with regards to the previous quarter stats, covering the 6 KPI’s plus relevant information on significant incidents. 

Margaret Wallace of Argyll Third Sector Interface advised of the ongoing search for suitable premises for the Kintyre Youth Café, and thanked the Community Planning Manager for her assistance in this respect.  Ms Wallace also provided updates in relation to the Kintyre Foodbank and Campbeltown Men’s Shed. 

John Dreghorn, NHS Highland agreed to liaise with the Senior Area Committee Assistant with a view to inviting an appropriate person to a future meeting of the group to provide information on the Integrated Joint Board’s Quality and Finance Plan.

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners

Police Scotland

Inspector Paul Robertson of Police Scotland gave an update to the Group and advised they have not been off to a good start this year with their being two incidents involving knifes, one being a serious assault and the other being an attempted murder.  He confirmed these incidents were unrelated and the people involved are remanded in custody.  He also confirmed that there are now extra patrols in the area with no wider public safety concerns.

Inspector Robertson advised that in Bute they have been proactive in their anti-social behaviour and drug misuse intelligence, resulting in drug dealing charge which has been helped with working alongside the community, partners and the anti-social behaviour group.

He advised that a new Youth Community Engagement Officer has now started in post and is based in Dunoon Police Office and Dunoon Grammar School and they will engage with young people, supporting children with vulnerabilities, substance misuse issues and violence.

Inspector Robertson confirmed that the 2026 Police Scotland Strategy is now out for consultation and you can find this on the Police Scotland website.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Scottish Fire & Rescue

Russel Byrne updated the Group on statistics over the last quarter for Scottish Fire and Rescue in the Bute and Cowal area.  He advised that there has been an increase in deliberate fires and false alarms have improved in Dunoon.  He advised there is a new Road Safety Officer now in post and home fire safety visits are still available.

Mr Byrne gave a presentation to the group on the local area plan consultation for 2017.  He spoke about the national overview and the local overview, the management structure and the operational activity overview.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and the presentation.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Susan Brooks gave an update to the Group on the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan, noting that the consultation period on this takes place from 10^th April until 3^rd July, and urged all  partners to take part in that consultation process.