Agenda and minutes

Councillor Dick Walsh welcomed everyone to his first meeting and noted his approach to chairing the CPP would be interactive.  Councillor Walsh then invited everyone present to introduce themselves and give their view on the way in which CPP was working.  Those present outlined the role of their organisation and their thoughts on positive and negative aspects of community planning.

Among the points made it was noted that partners need to get out of their silos and get involved in all aspects of community planning.  Community involvement was highlighted as an area for development.  Details of some of the work that community planning partners have been involved with was shared and it was noted that the level of interest in partnership working was encouraging.  Partners had mostly found the CPP very useful and noted that agencies needed to work together.  Sharing ideas and the strengths of each organisation was noted as an important aspect of the CPP. Community representation was noted as particularly important to community planning and an area which required attention.

Councillor Walsh noted that the key to the success of the Community Planning Partnership is participation from partners and the community.

It was noted that Raymond Park would take over as Chair when Andrew Campbell stands down in October 2007

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2007 were accepted as an accurate record.

There were no matters arising.

Andrew Campbell provided a verbal update on the Management Committee meeting held on 13 June 2007 and apologised for not providing a written report.  Andrew reported that the Community Plan had been spiritedly discussed at the meetings on 18 April and 13 June and this had demonstrated the level of enthusiasm and interest in having all partners’ activities recorded in the Plan.  Andrew questioned whether the Plan should instead highlight a limited number of achievable targets.

Andrew highlighted some of the areas that had been reported to and discussed by the Management Committee.  The way in which big developments are procured could provide an opportunity for the CPP.  Changes coming from the Scottish Executive are likely to affect spending priorities.  There had been reports and input from the voluntary sector and housing.  Marlene Baillie of Strathclyde Police had made a presentation about campus policing and the meeting noted the pilot projects in Rothesay and Dunoon secondary schools and that positive gains were to be had from this.    Community engagement was recognised as a theme for all partners and consideration of how partners fully represent community aspirations, including and engaging young people.

It was noted that the outcome of the spending review was expected in October 2007.

Eileen Wilson provided a verbal update on the CPP Biennial Conference that was held on Friday 15 June 2007.

Eileen thanked everyone who attended the conference and who made it a worthwhile day.  All the partners had been represented apart from the MoD.  The conference was very well attended (over 100 delegates).

Eileen reported that the tone for the conference had been set by Kate Braithwaite, the Commission for Rural Community Development, Carnegie UK Trust, who presented a forward thinking, can do approach.  There was input from the voluntary sector, from James Hilder, John Davidson and Pat Logan, who presented a picture of their future role being stronger and working with the CPP. In the afternoon there was dynamic debate with the Panel that included Kate Braithwaite, Andrew Campbell, Raymond Park, Strathclyde Police and CPP Management Committee Vice Chair, Fiona Ritchie, NHS Highland and Chair of Argyll and Bute CHP, Jim Mather, MSP, Jackie Baillie, MSP, and Councillor Dick Walsh.  In particular Eileen highlighted the good questions that had come from young people.  All delegates were able to ask questions via the “brick wall” and a huge amount of information had been gathered this way.  The relevant information from the “brick wall” will be distributed to specific partnerships that are dealing with particular issues.

Some information gathered at the conference will influence the Community Plan but these are minor changes.

The meeting recorded appreciation for Eileen and Grace Leitch and all those involved in making the conference a  success and a showcase event.   It was noted that the choice of speakers and layout had all been good and had worked well.  The conference had endorsed the themes of the community plan.

In relation to the Community Plan, it was noted that James and Dick had engaged with the new administration at a public sector event with cabinet.  The themes of greener and safer communities had been highlighted at this event and James and agreed that the CPP should ensure that these are clearly identified and reflected in the Community Plan.

It was noted that Dick and James had attended a meeting.  Agenda Planning for the Highlands and Islands, and agreed to lead on a joint paper from the Council and voluntary sector on the role of the third sector in the Highlands and Islands.  This will be presented to the Highlands and Islands Convention in March 2008.  It was noted that Kate Braithwaite has agreed to be involved in be involved in this process and is enthusiastic about her involvement.

It was noted that the Community Plan was not quite ready for distribution due to commitments in the Communications team.  It was agreed to refer the draft plan to the Management Committee for sign off.

The CPP budget for 2006-07 was tabled for information.

Note by Policy Officer - Strategy

Jennifer Swanson presented a proposal to hold a pilot sustainability seminar in Argyll and Bute, possibly in October 2007.  The aim of the workshop/seminar would be to raise awareness and delivery of practical sustainable development solutions, perhaps focusing on one community for the pilot.  If successful, the model could be used through the Highlands and Islands. 

There was discussion abut linking the workshop/seminar to regeneration plans to tackle poverty.  There were suggestions of possible case studies, key individuals to involve and communities to work with.

It was agreed that Jennifer should progress this with CPP partners  inputting to the process by email, and report on progress to the Management Committee on 8 August 2007.

Note by Leadership Support Officer

Alison Debling presented a report seeking the ongoing support of the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership for the reinstatement of the Campbeltown-Ballycastle Ferry.  It was noted that there had been a long campaign to try and improve the transport links between West Highlands and Northern Ireland.  There was discussion about the history of the project and likely requirements for future funding.    It was suggested that a strategic letter be sent and development work be undertaken by the Dalriada Development Group.  It was suggested that the ferry could also take freight traffic and support the whisky sector in Islay.  This would reduce heavy vehicles on the roads and reduce the long journey involved in taking whisky to bottling plants in Ireland.

It was noted that the infrastructure was in  place for the ferry service and that there was an economic case that it would make a valuable contribution to the area.  However, the tendering process would need to be handled well.  Security concerns were raised by Strathclyde Police who advised that if the ferry went ahead they would want to put in place a unit in Campbeltown to address security. 

The CPP agreed in principle to support a letter being sent to the Northern Ireland First Minister.  Alison agreed to draft a letter for approval by the CPP Chair.

Report by Policy Officer - Strategy

Jennifer presented a report on the development and circulation of the Council’s Equality Impact Assessment toolkit that was available for other CPP partners to use.  Those present agreed that the Equality Impact Assessment toolkit was useful and it was noted that it had been shared with NHS Highland.

It was noted that Communities Scotland had offered to host equality training for CPP partners and that t his would include a session on using the Equality Impact Assessment toolkit.  Partners were invited to let Jennifer know if they were interested in using the toolkit or attending such an event.

Annual Report by Ken MacTaggart

Ken MacTaggart made a presentation to update partners on the work of the Argyll and the Islands Local Economic Forum.  Ken outlined the strategy and objectives of the Forum and the work carried out to monitor new businesses.  It was noted that there had been a slight decline in business innovation in Argyll and Bute compared with the rest of Scotland and that this would have to be examined in more detail.  Ken illustrated the pattern of employment in Argyll and Bute and highlighted the area’s reliance on tourism which resulted in seasonal employment.  However, recently the figures show the lowest level of unemployment.  Campbeltown and Islay showed the highest levels of unemployment.

Ken highlighted work to develop the digital economy and lobbying to provide broadband access to all communities.  There has been a huge increase in the take-up of broadband internet connection by businesses.  The improvement in internet access by broadband has provided opportunities for call and contact centres to be established in Argyll and Bute.  These are mostly of the helpdesk variety which provides better job satisfaction than other types of call or contact centre.  There has been considerable growth in this sector in the Highlands and Islands.  Businesses wanting to expand had recorded recruitment issues including child care and travel to work.

There was discussion about the need for a programme to address recruitment issues, particularly in relation to transport and child care.  It was noted that the local enterprise company was in discussion about trying to resolve this.  There was discussion about possible solutions that could be found by local businesses working together.  Recruitment programmes have been run to support businesses such as Contact 4.  It was suggested that action could be taken through the Area Strategy.

Ken’s PowerPoint presentation will be circulated to CPP partners.

It was agreed that t his part of the meeting programme could be used in future to identify and find solutions to similar issues.

(a)          Update on CPP priorities

·       Health and Wellbeing Group

·       Argyll and the Islands Economic Forum

·       Dunbartonshire Economic Forum

·       Strategic Housing and Communities Forum

·       Update on the Bute and Cowal Local Community Planning Pilot

(b)          Initiative at the Edge – Update Report from the Islands of Coll and Jura

The Chair noted that this was the last time that this reporting format would be followed for this Agenda item.

(a)               Update on CPP priorities

Health and Wellbeing Group

Ann Campbell spoke to the meeting on the activities of the Health and Wellbeing Group, copies having previously been circulated.  The update was noted

Argyll and the Islands Local Economic Forum

The report from the April 2007 meeting on the activities of the Argyll and the Islands Local Economic Forum was noted.

Dunbartonshire Economic Forum

David McGregor presented the report on the activities of the Dunbartonshire Economic Forum which had been previously circulated and this was noted.

Strategic Housing and Communities Forum

David Dowie spoke to the meeting regarding the report on the activities of the Strategic Housing and Communities Forum which had been previously circulated, and this was noted.   The requirement for a local housing strategy and development of a strategic housing investment plan were highlighted.  The Chair noted that these issues will be discussed further at other meetings.

Bute and Cowal Local Community Planning Pilot

The report on the activities of the Bute and Cowal Local Community Planning Pilot was noted.  With regard to the request for funding in the report, Andrew Campbell advised that the CPP was not the appropriate body to fund this but that advice had been given regarding other sources to approach.  Eileen Wilson highlighted other aspects of work planned for the future.

(b)               INITIATIVE AT THE EDGE

Andrew Campbell spoke about the report previously circulated regarding Initiative at the Edge       on the activities of the Development Officers for the islands of Coll and Jura.  This was noted.

Eileen explained that in future she would contact all partnerships inviting them to report back on the Community Plan Action Plan.  This would reduce the reporting mechanism through the Theme Groups.

Brian Barker spoke abut a report  that had just been published by the Scottish Council Foundation, entitled Financial Inclusion and Capability in Rural Scotland.  The key aim of the study was to improve understanding of consumer experiences with financial services, products and information/advice in diverse rural communities, including Islay.

It was noted that the report was available on the website: www.ScottishCouncilFoundation.org and that copies would be circulated to CPP partners.

The next Partnership meeting will be held on Friday 9 November 2007 followed by a seminar on Funding.

Health and Improvement Seminar on Alcohol

A Health Improvement Seminar on Alcohol was held immediately following this meeting.  Invitations had been extended to all Partners.