Agenda and minutes

Councillor Dick Walsh welcomed everyone to this meeting.  Councillor Walsh then invited everyone present to introduce themselves.

Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership 6 July 2007

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2007 were accepted as an accurate record.

Pilot Sustainability Seminar

Eileen informed the meeting that the Bute and Cowal Local Community Planning Partnership Group were planning to use the Sustainability Seminars as an opportunity to develop a model for local community plannng.

Raymond Park gave updates on both Management Committee meetings.

• Noting that Young Scot gave an excellent explanation of its way forward.
• The Young Scot/Dialogue Youth Conference in Lochgilphead is coming up shortly.
• The Ministerial visit to Islay on 22 August went very well, taking particular interest in Farming and Health.
• Dave McBride gave a very good presentation on the DRIVESafe Campaign.  A discussion on managing occupational road risk then followed and partners agreed that the DRIVESafe initiati8ve should continue to be supported by the CPP.  Partners agreed to look at funding for Dave McBride’s post, as it needs to be recognised that it is an umbrella for all Road Risk.

Action Point – Agreed to note the position and positive comments from both Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Strathclyde Police Services with regard to the need to fund the DRIVESafe campaign.  This will be discussed at the Management Committee Meeting on 28 November 2007.

Slight corrections to the minute –

-          should read Scottish Government Minister (pg 15)

-          With reference to the statement by HIE – It is the Scottish Government who will be producing a strategy  w/c 12 November (pg 18)

-          David McGregor – Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire are looking to support Local Authorities, not lead.

Eileen Wilson has designed a pro forma that will be sent to all partners.  The pro forma will provide us with up to date information regarding Partner participation and contribution.

The Partners all agreed to provide the requested information.

Eileen Wilson updated the Partners on progress, the next update will be in early 2008.  This is still quite a new process and will take a little more time to bed in.

James McLellan and Hughie Donaldson informed Partners on the current situation regarding latE with regard to the recent National Steering Group meeting.  A discussion followed where Partners agreed that it was important to be pro active when considering new areas for designation.  It was agreed to discuss this further at an appropriate Management Committee Meeting where someone from the Committee will be required to become a dedicated link.

A copy of the Executive Summary had been circulated.  David Macgregor gave further information on the document commenting on the population statistics, the high proportion on entrepreneurship found within the area and the overall decline in population over the coming years.  Allan MacDougall agreed to supply information on the final point as it impacts on housing needs.  Agreed to note the detail.

Ken MacTaggart gave a short presentation focusing on New Business formation and employment.  Employment levels continue to rise in align with the national trend.  It was agreed that the information gathered for the LEF reports was important to the CPP.

Proposal to tender for new contract (Chris Carr)

The contract for the Citizens Panel will now go out to tender.

It was agreed to invite HITRANS and SPT to become full CPP Partners.

Network Change Programme (Brian Barker) (to follow)

Brian Barker gave an update on the recently announced closures.  There are 7 Post Offices within Argyll and Bute earmarked for closure, all urban.  The Post Office have indicated there are 2 areas where they would wish to provide an “outreach” service.  Postwatch have concerns over some of the closures, but none within Argyll and Bute.  Any issues or comments from Partners will be fed back.  We are currently half way through the consultation period.  Murdina MacDonald mentioned there is a HIE/Highland Council Strategy Group undertaking a study of proposed changes and would be happy to work with Argyll and Bute.

The Partnership noted that there had been no  increase in contributions for 2 years as there had been an underspend.  Partners agreed to consider the request of an inflationary increase for 2008/09.  Partners were asked to confirm to Eileen their financial contributions.

John Davidson – Islay and Jura CVS brought to the attention of the Partnership the need for support to Argyll CVS to ensure its future and to avoid the potential loss of funding for the sector if it was not fully functioning.  He agreed to pass the date of the Argyll CVS to Eileen Wilson for circulation to interested parties to be able to offer support.

As it was the last meeting for Fiona Ritchie, Dick Walsh thanked Fiona for her work and support to the Partnership and the Council.

The meeting schedule for 2008 was noted and agreed.

14 March 2008 in the Council Chambers, Kilmory, Lochgilphead.