Agenda and minutes

Councillor Allan Macaskill welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Eddie Graham from IBP Strategy & Research who was attending his first meeting.

The Minutes were accepted as an accurate record of the meeting held on 5 November 2004 subject to the following alteration – to add David Hutchison, Strathclyde Fire Brigade to the list of apologies.

With reference to item 3 of the last meeting James McLellan reported that no actions had been forthcoming from the Highlands and Islands Convention Meeting held on 8 November 2004.

Eddy Graham gave a presentation on the results of the 8th Questionnaire to the Citizens’ Panel, which had been issued in early February to a refreshed and revised panel (200 people from the SIP Panel had been incorporated into the Citizens’ Panel).  It was noted that the data provided was based on 652 responses, which had been received by the closing date.  It was further noted that as responses were still coming in after the closing date the data provided in the final report would be based on around 800+ responses.  The theme of the 8th Questionnaire was “Taking Part in Your Community” and questions were centred around community safety, health, volunteering and equality issues.

 

 

After questions had been put and answered to it was agreed:-

 

1.      That the final report should include comparisons from other studies and other parts of Scotland.

 

2.      That the final report be issued widely to all Partners, Theme Groups and Community Groups asking them to advise the Community Planning Partnership how the data will be used and how issues highlighted will be addressed.

At the last CPP Meeting in November 2004, it was agreed that the CPP change the basis of community representation from one that focuses on  50% representation to one that focuses on a designated scrutiny role for any community representative and that the Management Committee be given responsibility to develop this further.

 

This item was discussed at the Management Committee on 8 December 2004 and the Partnership noted the recommendations made at that meeting.

A paper on the Partnership’s Communications Plan was tabled at the Management Committee Meeting on 8 December 2004.  The Community Planning Partnership noted that the Management Committee had agreed to  adopt all the recommendations outlined in the report as work in progress.

 

The Community Planning Partnership also agreed:-

1. That Lolita issue a copy of the Communications Plan to all Partners.

2. To note that the revised Community Planning website was now live.

3. To ask Partners to provide any information that they would like posted on the website to Lolita and also to put a link from their own websites to the Community Planning website - www.actionargyll@bute.org.uk.

Lolita advised the Partnership of progress to date with preparations for the CPP Biennial Conference being held on 10 June 2005 under the strap line banner “Argyll and Bute: Leading Rural Area”.  It was noted that the theme of the Conference would be centred around demographic issues facing Argyll and Bute.

 

Lolita advised that facilitators for the workshops had still to be confirmed and that an email had been sent to Partners seeking volunteers.  It was noted that a delegate pack would be issued prior to the day with contributions from Partners on current issues facing their organisations as well as what the demographic changes mean for their organisations.  It was noted that information from Partners would be limited to 2 pages and that Lolita would be issuing a pro-forma to Partners in this regard.

The Community Planning Partnership considered the draft CPP budget for 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08 as well as the proposed contributions from current contributing partners.

 

After noting:-

 

1. That the budget is based on the assumption that all current contributing Partners will continue to contribute the proposed 3% annually inflationary increase and if this is not the case, alternative funding arrangements will need to be investigated.

 

2. That even though the budget shows a deficit of £11,374 for the 2004/2005 financial year, indications from the actual spend to date for 2004/2005 indicate that there should be surplus of approximately £33,000.  The surplus is mainly due to no annual progress report/newsletters being published and the late start of the Bute & Cowal Pilot.
3. That the 2007/2008 budget indicated a deficit of approximately £15,500.

 

It was agreed to approve the CPP budget for the next 3 financial years with the proviso that the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 budgets be monitored carefully to eradicate any deficit.

Theme Group 1

 

The Partnership noted a report on activities by the Health and Welbeing Theme Group.

 

Theme Group 2

 

Lolita spoke to the final report from Theme Group 2 which had now disbanded and amalgamated with the Argyll and the Isles Local Economic Forum.  Anne Campbell advised that a Social Economic Partnership was being developed and will have close links with the Economic Forum.  David MacGregor confirmed that Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire was happy with the new arrangements and that a report would be coming back to the Community Planning Partnership on 8 July highlighting the work of the Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire within the Helensburgh and Lomond Area.

 

Theme Group 3

 

Donald MacVicar spoke to the report which gave an update on the last meeting of Theme Group 3.  He confirmed that a list of people invited to attend was being reviewed and it had been agreed to have less frequent meetings which would tie in with the meetings of the Management Committee.  Anne Clark advised that if video conferencing could not be offered then the timing of the meetings would need to be looked at again so that people from the Islands could participate.  Donald MacVicar confirmed that he would take this into consideration for future meetings of the Group.

George McKenzie gave an update on the Bute and Cowal Pilot and it was noted that there had been five Level 1 meetings and three Level 2 meetings.  George confirmed that the Pilot planned to look at existing priorities of the various Partner organisations to try to identify common issues.  It was noted that attendance at meetings had been an issue and it was agreed that Community Planning Partners must provide substitutes with full delegated powers to attend meetings.  Councillor Macaskill advised that this should apply to all meetings.

Donald MacVicar gave an update on the Regeneration Outcome Agreement, which had been submitted in December 2004 well ahead of the revised deadline.  It was noted that the Community Regeneration Partnership had until September to submit revised templates. 

 

Donald also reported that the 2 day ROA Conference held on 24 and 25 February had proved a success and targeted a number of issues and effects of spend.  Donald advised that as funding for the Partnership was ring fenced and reduced over a 3 year period some Atlantic Islands may suffer. 

Andrew Campbell reflected on Dr Goudie’s visit to the Management Committee on 8 December 2004.  Andrew felt that the visit had been worthwhile and mentioned that Dr Goudie had taken away items of concern and agreed to look into these for the Management Committee.  Dr Goudie had also advised that Argyll and Bute may get a greater level of support from the Scottish Executive if we were able to provide statistical information to back up our issues.  Overall Andrew confirmed that it had been a positive meeting and it was hoped to build on this in the future.

Anne Campbell presented the Joint Health Improvement Plan for 2005-2008 which listed priorities for each locality to work to.  After discussion it was agreed to approve the Plan.

Erik Jesperson gave an update on the establishment of Community Health Partnerships (CHPs).  He mentioned that there would be five CHPs operating across Argyll and Clyde with one covering the Argyll and Bute Council area.  It was noted that although the CHPs were scheduled to be operational on 1 April 2005, it would probably take six months before they would be fully operational. 

Brian Barker reported that under the Scottish Executive’s Closing the Opportunity Gap Programme East Loch Fyne/Holy Loch had been identified and likely to be included in the Programme subject to final Ministerial approval. 

 

Brian further reported that while the statistical methods for identifying disadvantaged rural areas in Argyll and Bute was sound, the base data and most notably the index of multiple deprivation did not adequately account for the true nature of access deprivation for island communities.  A review of data held by the Council identified 2 additional areas for consideration by the Executive, namely Colonsay/Jura and Tiree/Coll.  The Partnership noted that the Management Committee had agreed that these 2 areas be submitted for consideration as additional Rural Service Priority Areas in the Executive’s research programme.  

The Partnership noted correspondence received from Audit Scotland advising of an Accounts Commission proposal to undertake a Base Line Review of Community Planning Partnerships in Scotland with the aim of the study being to review the progress made by Councils and Partner agencies in developing community planning since the Local Government Act 2003 came into force.  Lolita advised that the final report would be issued at the end of the year.  Lolita further reported that a half-day workshop was scheduled for 22 March 2005 where Audit Scotland would be presenting their proposals for the Review and it was also an opportunity for them to get input from the various CPPs.  Lolita agreed to e-mail round the issues to be tackled at the workshops asking Partners to contact her prior to 22 March if they wished any other issues to be raised.

Lolita reported that Argyll and Bute Council would be undergoing an audit of Best Value in the summer of this year, which is designed to audit all the new duties for Councils relating to Best Value, Community Planning and Public Performance Reporting.  As part of this process, each Council Service will be preparing a self-assessment of their services, which will be discussed at a series of workshops planned towards the end of March this year.  It was noted that Community Planning Partners were invited to participate in these workshops.

 

Lolita mentioned that she would be preparing a self-assessment of Community Planning, which would be discussed at the next Management Committee meeting.  Partners were asked to submit a short paragraph on their perceptions of Community Planning, which could be included in the self-assessment. 

James MacMillan gave a progress report on tourism and confirmed that the existing Tourist Boards would cease to exist on 31 March 2005 and from 1 April would become part of Visit Scotland.  It was noted that James Fraser would still have responsibility for the Argyll and Bute Area.

The next Community Planning Partnership meeting will be held on 8 July 2005.