Agenda and minutes

Councillor Dick Walsh welcomed everyone to this meeting and invited everyone present to introduce themselves.  Councillor Walsh gave an overview of the Council budget, stating that it is now aligned to the Corporate plan.  The three year Statement of  Intent is also complete incorporating the Service Plans and Financial Strategy.

Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership 9 November 2007

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2007 were accepted as an accurate record with the addition of apologies from Councillor Freeman.

Sustainability Seminar

Eileen informed the meeting that the Sustainability Seminars were developing well.

 

DRIVESafe

Partners should have received letters requesting financial support.

It was suggested that the DRIVESafe initiative could be moved from the Health and Wellbeing group to the Community  Safety Partnership.

 

Migrant Workers

A steering group has been formed as agreed and will be asked to submit a report to the next meeting.

 

Partnership Feedback

This is currently taking shape and a refreshed contracts database will be produced.

 

New Licensing Forum

Further work needs to be done in this area.

 

Single Outcome Agreement

Work is continuing, the deadline for submission to the Scottish Government is 28 March 2008.

 

Citizens Panel

A further update will be available in today’s meeting.

Raymond Park gave updates on both Management Committee meetings.

 

MATTERS ARISING – 6 FEBRUARY 2008

 

Post Office Closures

Strathclyde Police are in the infancy of looking at a Fife model with a view to the use of Inveraray Post Office for some Police work.

 

Engaging Young People

The Youth Forum did not meet as planned due to support worker’s ill health, the date for the first Youth Focus meeting is now 17 June 2008.  Two young people will be invited from that meeting to attend the next Community Planning Full Partnership meeting.  The Young People will be supported by Roanna Taylor (Young Scot/Dialogue Youth Co-ordinator)

 

Migrant Workers

Continuing to discuss and develop.  John Reid (Jobcentre Plus) felt that this was something they could input into.

 

Fairer Scotland Fund

Work is continuing.

 

Local Community Plan

Work is continuing

 

Strathclyde Police

Strathclyde Police are undertaking a feasibility study looking at boundaries with the intention that Superintendents take on a larger area.  It is anticipated that Helensburgh and Lomond would go to Raymond along with Argyll and Bute. A possible outcome is expected in June 2008, the Chief Constable is to visit on 8 April 2008.

 

DRIVESafe

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue made the Partners aware that they can offer funding for the next financial year only.  DRIVESafe needs a further and more solid operating mode.

 

Up-coming Changes

There followed a general discussion regarding the up-coming changes that mainly surround Communities Scotland and the Enterprise Companies.  This will result in more power going to the Scottish Government – housing included (except Community Regeneration), this could mean that the Scottish Government becomes a Partner of the CPP.

 

It was noted Personnel will remain unchanged and Communities Scotland are happy to continue as an observer within the CPP for the time being.

 

This notion was welcomed by Councillors Walsh and Freeman and Brian Barker.

 

Further discussion continued surrounding  HIE – outlining that in future it will operate as one organisation with guidance from the Scottish Government.

 

HIE will continue to be a full partner of the CPP.  Councillor Walsh noted the appreciation of Partnership working and relationship developing.

 

 

 

 

Post Office Closures

Public Service Reform gives direction to the importance of working in partnership and the importance of Communities, as a Partnership it is generally felt that we are moving in the right direction. 

 

The Community Planning Partnership should measure themselves, and the vehicle for doing this is the SOA.

 

The Scottish Government sees Community Planning as taking an increasing lead role, with third sector bodies, and now there is a section within the Scottish Government devoted to the third sector, but more development is required.

 

With the Scottish Government pushing economic development, community engagement and empowerment, especially in rural areas, this can come through Community Planning.

 

Action Point – Paper for Noting

FAIRER SCOTLAND FUND

 

A presentation was given by Margaret Fyfe and Susan Dawson who informed the Partners that they have been working on a FAB plan – (Fairer Argyll and Bute).

 

The FSF gives us all a great opportunity to use our resources better and develop a strategic approach and focus.

 

It is widely acknowledged that poor health and poverty are linked together, NHS Highland are currently developing a strategy for health and equalities.  As a Partnership, this needs to be explored and clarified.  It is thought that this may be administered through the Health and Wellbeing Group.

 

As much ring fencing will be removed the intention is now to streamline and de-clutter.  It is apparent that the Community Planning Partnership has challenges ahead, yet these will present opportunities for the Partnership to work closer together and embrace “positive” change, as every organisation and partner, including the third sector, has a responsibility and by moving towards a thematic approach this should result in greater economic, social and service delivery benefits.

 

George Freeman asked if there is an opportunity to widen the remit and form better connections with other funds, therefore become more strategically connected.  It was explained that the first year is a transitional one.

 

Andy Law enquired about the allocation and flexibility of funding for 2009/10.  Projects have been told priorities may have to change to reflect funding and people are under contract.  It was explained that the first year is fully committed but years two and three are flexible.

 

It was felt that this process needs a group to develop it sensitively but with an open dialogue, focus more on Health and Equalities issues and to continually report back to the Community Planning Partnership, ultimately an “evidence” based approach must be taken.

 

The deadline for the submission is 28 March and Partners were requested to come forward with relevant information pertaining to their Organisation as soon as possible.

 

Geoff Calvert expressed a concern that the transition from the Community Regeneration Fund to the Fairer Scotland Fund might lead to a thinner spread of resources.  He was re-assured that the group forming to oversee the transition would make recommendations based on need and that the work of existing groups/partnerships would not be lost in the process.

 

Action Point – Continue to work through this with an open dialogue and Eileen Wilson to report back to CPP

 

SINGLE OUTCOME AGREEMENT

 

The date for submission is 28 March 2008.

 

For the first year Councils will have very little scope for flexibility as much of the funding is already allocated.  Recommendations for years two and three will be considered by the Community Planning Partnership.  The intention is for Partners to work together to ensure best use of funding available.

 

Action Point – Endorse this as  Work in Progress

 

Verbal Update by Jim McCrossan

Community Learning and regeneration will be affected by the transition from CRF to the Fairer Scotland Fund.  Its strategy will be in line with the FSF, the Council’s plan and to develop firmer links with the Community Planning Partnership and its priorities.

 

Action Point – agreed to note

Intending to meet James McLellan at the forthcoming COSLA meeting on 25 April 2008.  Discussions needed to explore how the two IatE areas and Argyll and Bute Council can develop and go forward in the future including exploring funding avenues

 

Action Point – Item on next agenda

CPP Review – Update on Partnership participation and contribution

CPP REVIEW

 

Today is the deadline for the reviews to be submitted by.  Existing data bases will be refreshed shortly.

Interviews have taken place for the new 3 year tender contract.  Confirmation will be available later today.

 

Action Point – Report to next Management Committee Meeting (19 March 08)

Glenn Heritage volunteered to start work on the Voluntary Sector Protocol.  The paper presented requested support from the Community Planning Partnership for the Volunteer Awards.  It is hoped that the Voluntary Sector will come forward with an agreement outlining how the Community Planning Partnership and the Voluntary Sector can work together.

 

Action Point – Part 1 of the paper agreed.

No other business.

4 July 2008 in the Council Chambers, Kilmory