Agenda and minutes

Councillor Allan Macaskill welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2005 were accepted as an accurate record.

(a)   International Links: Following the CPP meeting on 8 July 2005, the Community Planning Management Committee made contact with various community planning partnerships and other organisations to determine the nature of international links they had developed.  The majority of responses received stated that no international links had been developed across the country.  The international links that do exist tend to be direct with local authorities rather than the CPPs, with the focus on twinning links or response to crises.

 

(b)   Initiative at the Edge: James McLellan reported that he had attended the Initiative at the Edge (IatE) National Steering Group meeting on 7 November 2005 in Inveraray along with Allan Macaskill, Hughie Donaldson, the National Co-ordinator for IatE, and Andrew Campbell.  It was noted that the local IatE groups would provide regular monitoring reports to keep the Community Planning Partnership informed of their plans and any potential barriers to progress so that partners were aware of what was happening on the ground.

 

(c)   Scottish Executive Desktop Study on Public Service Authorities: The Council had very recently received further information on the Study and how it would be carried out.  Part of the process would involve facilitated workshops which would be held over the next few weeks, followed by a National Conference.  The CPP would be advised of the suggested dates for the workshops and how this could be taken forward.

Eddy Graham from IBP Strategy and Research gave a presentation on the results of the 9^th Questionnaire to the Citizens’ Panel.  It was noted that the results from the survey showed that people were more interested in outcomes and service delivery rather than how it was managed.  James McLellan commented that the Scottish Executive was steering Councils towards putting services together as a ‘one door’ approach, however from the results of the survey this did not appear to be customer led.

 

Andrew Campbell felt that with regard to sustainable development we should be highlighting issues such as housing and population decline.

Verbal Report by Andrew Campbell

Andrew Campbell gave a verbal update on the Management Committee.  It was noted that a representative from the Best Value Audit Team attended the Management Committee meeting on 17 August 2005 and stated that she was intrigued by the level of partnerships involved in CPP in Argyll and Bute and that the Chair of the Management Committee was a non-council person.

 

Andrew Campbell encouraged the partners to look at the Community Planning web site to access papers and minutes of meetings.  (www.actionargyllandbute.org.uk).

Letter dated 19 October 2005 from Chief Executive, Argyll and Bute Council

The Partnership noted the contents of letter dated 19 October 2005 from the Chief Executive, Argyll and Bute Council, to Andy Kerr, Minister for Health and Community Care, in response to the Health Board consultation.  It was noted that the Council’s favoured option was the amalgamation of Argyll and Bute Council area with Highland Health Board.

 

It was noted that some issues had still to be addressed such as representation for Argyll and Bute on the new Health Board, delegated powers and the name of the new Health Board.

 

The Chair of the meeting asked if there were any objections to the Council’s decision and a few partners stated that they could not comment on behalf of their organisation as they were not involved with Health Services.  In response, Andrew Campbell stated that if there were no Health Service then these organisations could not function in the area and encouraged all partners to consider the implications of the consultation document.

 

Andrew stated that a response on behalf of CPP to the Health Board consultation would be prepared and that the results of the latest Citizens’ Panel survey would be taken into account.

Verbal Update by Brian Barker

Brian Barker provided a verbal update on Living Landmarks Lottery Fund bid for a Dunoon Marine Gateway and circulated copies of his presentation.  It was noted that the project funding could be up to £25m, 75% of the project cost.  An initial outline bid had to be lodged by 6 January 2006 and if successful £250,000 would be awarded to carry out a feasibility study with a final decision in mid-2007.  A key funding criteria was that the project must have a community/stakeholder involvement and have a significant community impact in the area.

 

Brian Barker stated that a community project of this nature would raise the profile of Argyll and Bute, bring more people to the area and provide a boost to the economic development of local areas.  It was noted that the results of the recent Citizens’ Panel survey showed that there was significant public support for a Dunoon Marine Gateway.

 

In response to the question concerning the 25% funding balance, Brian Barker advised that the Council had earmarked monies in their capital budget and partners had also given an indication of support.  It was noted that the funding bid would include costs for the replacement of the Queens Hall in Dunoon, which was already in the Council’s capital budget programme.  Inverclyde had also indicated that they would provide financial support for this project.

 

Members of the Community Planning Partnership were supportive of the project to develop the Dunoon Marine Gateway.

Report by Bruce West, Head of Strategic Finance

In response to the Scottish Executive request that Councils discuss the use of Quality of Life (QOL) funds with Community Planning Partnerships, a report by Bruce West had been circulated outlining the proposed use of Quality of Life (QOL) funds for 2006/07 and 2007/08.

 

The meeting noted the proposed use of QOL funds and the allocated funding of £0.979m for 2006/07 and £0.973m for 2007/08.

 

In response to Alan Milstead’s request, it was agreed that the Project/Initiative column in the report, which largely refers to Theme Group 1, Health and Wellbeing, should be amended to show how the projects were also linked to Theme Group 3 and the Economic Forum.

Verbal report by Andrew Campbell

Andrew Campbell reported that the Scottish Executive had announced its intention to create Scotland’s first coastal and marine National Park in 2008 and that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has been asked to provide advice on:

 

• The statutory and policy framework for a coastal and marine National Park, including the aims, powers and governance structure which would be appropriate for a National Park Authority and its likely running costs;

 

• Recommendations on which area or areas Ministers should consider as leading candidates for designation.

 

SNH had been asked by the Scottish Executive to work closely in developing its advice with a range of relevant stakeholders, including those from the business, community and nature conservation sectors and report back findings in March 2006.

 

Allan Macaskill reported that a paper on Coastal and Marine National Park was being tabled at the Council’s Strategic Policy Committee meeting on 8 December 2005.  It was agreed that a copy of this paper would be forwarded to Andrew Campbell for his comments and also copies would be distributed to CPP partners for their consideration.

1. Health and Wellbeing Group (Gavin Brown)

2. Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire (Alan Milstead)

3. Dunbartonshire Economic Forum – Verbal Update by the Secretariat (SE Dunbartonshire) on behalf of DEF Board (David McGregor, Director SIR)

4. Sustaining & Developing our Communities, Culture & Environment (Donald MacVicar)

Health and Wellbeing Group

 

The Partnership noted the report on the activities by the Health and Wellbeing Group.

 

Councillor Robin Banks asked how alcohol abuse was being monitored and reported in Argyll and Bute.  He felt that despite this issue being a significant problem in the area, the Council received very little feedback on what was being achieved by local initiatives.  In the absence of Gavin Brown, it was agreed that he would be asked to respond direct.

 

Argyll and the Isles Enterprise Local Economic Forum

 

Alan Milstead gave a verbal  update on behalf of Argyll and the Isles Enterprise Local Economic Forum, copies of which were circulated.

 

The Partnership noted that funding for the new Construction Training Centre was now largely in place, with an application of £346,000 to European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

 

In response to James McLellan’s question regarding providing statistics for Argyll and Bute area in respect of JobCentrePlus – Pathways to Work Scheme, Alan Milstead felt it may be difficult to extrapolate the figures but would look into the matter to see if it was possible.  James McLellan said that this information would be helpful for the Council’s Employability Team.

 

Donald MacVicar welcomed the news that 50 staff were now employed in the Campbeltown Contact Centre.

 

Dunbartonshire Local Economic Forum

 

A verbal update was given by David McGregor, stating that they had enjoyed a good level of business activity with 31 new business start-ups and over 500 business enquiries.  It was noted that Dunbartonshire Economic Forum had refreshed its strategy in line with emerging drivers facing the area.  The aim of the strategy was to make the organisation distinctive and provide value added benefits.  A copy of the strategy will be circulated to the Community Planning partners in due course and a presentation on the new strategy will be arranged for the next CPP meeting on 3 March 2006.

 

Sustaining & Developing our Communities, Culture & Environment Group

 

The Partnership noted a report on the activities of the Sustaining & Developing our Communities, Culture & Environment Group, presented by Donald MacVicar, copies having previously been circulated.

 

It was noted that recent meetings of the Theme Group have concentrated on reviewing its six priorities and overall progress was very good.

George McKenzie provided a verbal update on the Bute and Cowal Area Partnership and stated that the formation of the partnership had taken slightly longer than anticipated.  It had not yet moved fully into its planning stage, but had identified a few projects to be pursued through the partnership in the coming year.

 

It was noted that the partnership wished to record their disappointment at the rejection of a funding bid to the Community Capacity Fund, which would have allowed youth in the Bute and Cowal area to look at ways of highlighting and promoting community planning to their peers through the production of a DVD.  The partnership may re-submit their bid for the second round of funding from the Community Capacity Fund or may try and obtain funding from other sources.

 

Alan Milstead reported that there were a number of new people attending the Bute and Cowal Area Partnership meetings and he felt that training issues need to be addressed so that they were clear on their role and remit of the partnership.

(a)   Strathclyde Fire and Rescue: John Ironside reported that as the Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service had recently gone through a restructuring exercise it may be helpful to provide a presentation to the CPP.  It was agreed that a presentation would be given at the next CPP meeting in March 2006.

 

(b)   Community Engagement: As a result of the Council obtaining 6 days free consultancy funded by the Scottish Executive, workshop sessions on community engagement will be arranged in January/February 2006 for senior management and partners, followed up with specific surgeries.  Further information will be circulated to partners when firmed up.

 

(c)   Housing Stock Transfer: An independent postal ballot will shortly be conducted regarding the transfer of all Council housing stock to ACHA.

 

(d)   NPDO/PPP Programme: Financial close of 9 school projects on four sites had been reached, except for Helensburgh which was out to tender.