Agenda and minutes

Joe McKay welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologies were noted.

The minutes of the March meeting were approved as an accurate recording of that meeting.

Rona Gold gave an update on the following outstanding actions as follows:

-          Stuart McLean reported that Shona Barton is in progress with working on a short video with the aim to have completed this action for the September meeting.

-          Rona Gold to find out if there is an updated money worries leaflet for circulation. Existing action to remain for cppadmin to circulate when available.

-          Nicola Hackett and Iain MacInnes update on progress and funding streams for digital development will be addressed at item 4(e) of today’s agenda.

-          Actions marked for “All”. Rona Gold reminded everyone to please review and carry out actions marked for ‘All’. Joe McKay added that everyone should reflect on how their organisations can contribute to the partnership at all levels.

Stuart McLean presented on behalf of Shona Barton. The full report can be viewed online. Highlights included:

-          Meetings were brought forward to late April to accommodate local government elections. The meetings, held using Microsoft Teams, were well attended.

-          Alistair Moodie of Lochgoil Community Council was appointed as the Vice-Chair of Bute and Cowal (BC) ACPG.

-          The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands (MAKI) ACPG Vice-Chair position remains vacant.

-          At the Oban, Lorn and the Isles (OLI) ACPG Nathan Gallogley, Argyll and Bute Council Graduate Staycation Officer, provided an update on the tourism infrastructure within that area.

-          PC Laura Evans provided the Community Focus item on fraud for the C, MAKI and OLI ACPGs and Chris Casey of Scottish Fire and Rescue provided the Community Focus item on water safety to the Helensburgh and Lomond ACPG.

-          Lynda Mitchell of ALIEnergy spoke to the MAKI ACPG on their Affordable Warmth Service.

The Management Committee noted the report. Joe McKay thanked Area Committee team and the Area Community Planning Groups for their hard work and noted the excellent range of partnership working and conversations.

Rona Gold introduced Alex Wilde, Shaping Places for Wellbeing Project Lead, Dunoon. The project is one of six case study projects across Scotland that have been established by the Improvement Service with two-year funding from the World Health organisation. Alex Wilde will report to the BC ACPG, who will then feedback on the project’s progress to the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee (CPP MC).

Alex Wilde provided an update on work so far. Work started on the project at the end of April and she has been immersing herself in what is happening within Dunoon and across Argyll and Bute. She welcomed the generosity of all those who have shared their thoughts and ideas with her so far. She aims to feed into health data collected by Public Health Scotland, looking at where there are public health inequalities and what opportunities there are for potential investments and small scale projects. The project will explore:

-          How places can deliver on wellbeing

-          How an approach to place can be further embedded

-          What are the needs and opportunities

Themes arising so far include mental health, addictions, skills and employment, leisure, people transitioning from school to work and people transitioning from work to retirement. Key groups identified so far include carers and women and children.

Pippa Milne commented that this interesting project highlighting themes that will be familiar to partners. It has the potential to demonstrate best practice in delivering better outcomes through recognising the links between wellbeing and place. Pippa Milne offered to make connections between the project and her role as SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) Lead for Leadership Training and Development which includes collaborative working.

Alison McGrory noted that she was a member of the Steering Group for this work and that the work will be important in terms of public health. She asked how learning from the project will feed into and inform national strategy. Alex Wilde replied that the project would produce ongoing learning, involving local learning cohorts, looking at what is working and what is not and that will be fed back to the Steering Group.

Action - CPP partners to contact Alex Wilde with suggestions of people she should be speaking to and any work that might benefit from project support.

Action - Rona Gold, Chair of the Project Steering Group welcomed all CPP partners to contact her if they are interested in joining the Steering Group.

(a)  Climate Change

Ross McLaughlin presented on the report, circulated to members as a late paper on Friday, on behalf of the Stan Philips, Chair of the Climate Change Working Group. He advised that the Climate Change Working Group has been further exploring opportunities to take forward a Project Manager post to create a strategy for climate change with an Argyll and Bute wide approach It was proposed that the post should have day-to-day management by Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT), with project governance being provided by a Steering Group of members from the Climate Change working group. It is estimated the post would require funding support of £120k (£60k per annum for a minimum of two years) and the majority of funding would likely be sought from external sources.

Joe McKay asked the Management Committee if they agreed to the report recommendations that a Project Manager post be created with this proposed management/governance structure of partnership working and that resources of approx. £120k should be sought to fund the post and its associated costs.

Rona Gold agreed this was a good model for taking forward the work. She asked for clarification on who from the Climate Change Working Group would be on the proposed Steering Group and asked that the Management Committee have opportunity to see this, and draw from its wider membership to support the Steering Group and post, as there may be existing strengths within its membership to do this. She also advised a Community Planning Partner has already offered some funding towards the proposed post and that the Shared Prosperity Fund offers further opportunity, and that she had submitted a proposal to this for this work. Given that tight deadlines may not allow proposals for project funding of this nature to be presented, and fully discussed, at Management Committee meetings. She asked for agreement to seek further funds for this on behalf of the CPP, should opportunities arise, and agreement was noted from members.

Alison McGrory stated she was very supportive of the proposals and echoed the request for clarity around governance structures.

Pippa Milne commented that it was important to pursue cross partnership working and the governance structure should work well to support that. She noted that there may be implications for some partners in relation to how we link into constituent bodies to achieve meaningful outcomes. Two way engagement with member bodies to tie into their governance will be necessary.

Robin Currie sought clarity on how the Steering Group will feed back to the Management Committee. He also requested support from all partners in taking practical actions towards achieving outcomes.

Rona Gold highlighted good work being undertaken by community organisations and encouraged partners to share best practice on climate change within the CPP webpage dedicated to Climate Change.

Action - Ross McLaughlin to ask the Climate Change Working Group to consider Steering Group membership.

(b) Child Poverty

Mandy Sheridan reported that:

-          The Child Poverty Action Plan is in hand and will be ready by end August 22.

-          220 partnership staff and elected members attended the recent poverty awareness events.

-          The Scottish Government has produced the Bright Starts Delivery Plan highlighting the importance of place.

-          Workshops have been held on Child Poverty Data and Intelligence in Remote and Rural Areas, looking at difficulties and solutions in this area. 

-          Cost of living and inflation increase will make achieving the targets challenging.

-          The Scottish Government’s first target date for working towards alleviating child poverty is 2023 with the following target set for 2030.

-          Argyll and Bute Council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy and Children’s Rights Plans reach the end of their plan periods next year.  Local Authorities have adopted different strategies including combining both plans.

Pippa Milne said that these areas should be worked on as part of a holistic approach with links to the Council’s other areas of work.

Anthony Standing added that the overall positive destination rates for young people in Argyll is improving but that the gap between the 20% least deprived and 20% most deprived has grown, with it currently at 98% and 86% respectively.

(c)   Financial Inclusion

Fergus Walker presented the following highlights from a report that will be circulated to members following meeting: 

-          The number of applications for crisis grants and the resulting spend has reduced compared with last year. It is expected that the cost of living crisis will result in an increase in applications.

-          The Flexible Food Fund has extended its contract to include fuel and poverty advice and there will be a need for education around eligibility criteria.

-          Poverty awareness training has received good feedback. Key themes identified as areas of work required to address poverty included:

-          Investment in employment opportunities and progression

-          Tackling poverty stigma

-          Public Transport access

-          Health and Care services

-          Childcare

-          Further Education opportunities

-          Opportunities for young people staying in the area

-          Affordable housing

The Poverty Alliance will also deliver two further training sessions for elected members.

Action - Fergus Walker to share his report, a relevant case study and a link to the online Poverty Awareness module to cppadmin to circulate to members.

-          School clothing re-use projects are being introduced across Argyll & Bute. These emphasise the re-use and recycling of school uniforms. This is being rolled out area by area. Now established in Helensburgh and Campbeltown and are working well. The next will be Rothesay and Dunoon. The intention is to expand across the islands, MAKI and OLI areas by the end of the year.

Joe McKay noted that poverty awareness was key to reducing stigma. He asked how referrals could be made from partners of the CPP to the services available.

Fergus Walker responded that the Council website will be used with a dedicated webpage developed to facilitate the donation of, and requests for, school uniform.  Referrals from other agencies including the Social Enterprise Network are working well. A Money Worries booklet has been distributed to all advice agencies and is available in print and as a PDF and a dedicated Cascade issue on all support available is being sent to householders signed up to this with the council.

Action - CPP Team to collate information and include this in an upcoming issue of the CPP bulletin.

Action - All to provide feedback to cppadmin on how the CPP bulletin could be improved/work better for partners to share information.

Action - Fergus Walker to circulate Money Worries PDF version leaflet to Community Councils.

Apologies were received from Takki Sulaiman and this item was deferred to the September meeting

Nicola Hackett reported that the Community Learning and Development Partnership (CLD) identified that a new dedicated working group was needed to take forward work on this cross cutting. This has been established and the group’s terms of reference (TOR) have been agreed. Hall Aitken has been commissioned to look at mapping existing provision, volunteers, venues, training needs and connectivity to enable the CLD Digital Skills Plan to be progressed. The project group will also engage with education and other work streams to identify barriers, then look at how to tackle these with interventions and actions implemented with further funding sought as required.

Action - Nicola Hackett to circulate Digital Skills Working Group TOR to the CPP MC.

Action - Nicola Hackett to bring findings from the Hall Aitken commissioned work to the September CPP MC.

Melissa Dundas outlined the bid for Islands’ Infrastructure Funding which proposes to enable 4 pilot village halls (Iona, Coll, Tiree and Islay) to benefit from ICT equipment and establish digital hubs. If the funding bid is successful the project will support community empowerment, increase digital inclusion, enable business use and recreation and facilitate NearMe clinics. The project will support 9 of the 13 strategic objectives in the Islands Plan. The project intends to appoint Digital Champions in each community and it is hoped this will act as a pilot for expanding the concept to other islands and rural mainland locations. Melissa Dundas expects to receive notification of the outcome of this funding bid by early August. March 2023 is the deadline for the project’s delivery.

Ian Brodie said that 99% of village halls in Argyll and Bute are independently funded and asked what investment they might expect to support internet connectivity. Melissa Dundas said that although future funding is unknown at this stage, if successful, this project could demonstrate the benefits of village halls becoming digital hubs and she hoped this could roll out across the area. Rona Gold added that the Shared Prosperity Fund may also present opportunities to roll out these kinds of projects.

Alison McGrory highlighted Cairndow Village Hall as a good example of the provision of NearMe clinics and noted that having a trained, local Digital Champion was a great idea to support the set up and use of equipment.

Action - Laura Evans to circulate crime prevention leaflets to Melissa Dundas for the digital hubs.

Rona Gold reported that Ann Loughrey has been appointed to the 18-month fixed-term position of Building Back Better (Communities) Worker, jointly funded by Third Sector Interface (TSI) and Argyll and Bute Council. The post was created with the aim of engaging with community groups in recognition of the issues they may now be facing because of the COVID 19 pandemic. Ann Loughrey will be reviewing the support needed to ensure that volunteering activities are sustainable. She will also be conducting an evaluation of a micro grant fund for village halls and exploring ongoing needs.

Laura Evans presented the Community Safety Partnership progress report. Highlights included:

-          Graphic Mind Map showing challenges, achievements and activities over the year 2021/22 (see p.38 of the report).

-          Priority 1 – We live in a safe and positive community.

-          Making sure victims of domestic abuse could reach out for support.

-          Signposting information was circulated through Living Well Networks and holiday accommodation providers. This will continue and expand next year to include any small business.

-          Priority 2 – We encourage safer road and water use.

-          The Argyll and Bute Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) group was established.

-          A water safety education package was created and circulated.

-          Improved water safety signage was designed and installed.

-          The focus will now move towards road safety, supporting elderly drivers and working with local transport groups.

-          Priority 4 – Our vulnerable groups are supported and included.

-          More than 700 people have received face to face delivery of fraud prevention support.

-          The group is seeking to secure more funding for call blockers.

Joe McKay noted that the Argyll and Bute PAWS group has been adopted as best practice across Scotland.

Many partners welcomed the use of the Mind Map graphic, created using Microsoft Visio, as really helpful and engaging. It was agreed that the incorporation of similar diagrams would add value to any future reports.

Rona Gold introduced two new members of the Community Planning team - John McLuckie, who will join on 11^th July as Partnerships Lead (Community Planning) and Lucy Dunbar, who has recently taken up the post of Community Planning Officer. John McLuckie will be looking at how best to identify outcomes for the next Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP). Lucy Dunbar, as part of her work, will support the Community Wealth Building Working Group to map related partner activities.

Rona Gold informed the CPP MC partners that Lucy Dunbar will be in touch over the next few weeks to begin gathering case studies and other information for the Annual Report.

Rona Gold reported that the end date of the current ABOIP is March 2023.  As a ten year plan, the document has helped set direction but unforeseen events have arisen during those ten years leading to the need for reflection on whether this is still the best direction to follow. Rona Gold presented a 2-year plan for conducting this review, including extensive engagement, to the CPP MC in December 2019 however the pandemic seriously affected its implementation.

A detailed plan outlining how information will be gathered to review the existing plan and create the next ten-year Outcome Improvement Plan will be brought to the September Management Committee meeting, with a view to engaging with communities during September and October. Rona Gold proposed the next 10-year plan may be less text-heavy and would likely include a review of progress on priorities after 3 years.

Action - CPP MC members to notify Rona Gold of any community engagement activities planned for the September-October period to enable collaboration where possible.

Pippa Milne highlighted the importance of the Community Planning Partnership in the Argyll and Bute area and the requirement to be clear on how the specific priorities for the new ABOIP align with partner plans and strategies, with well-coordinated consultation.

Robin Currie said the new plan needs to be understood by communities in plain English and local community plans need to be recognised. The political priorities will be set by the Council on September 30^th. Robin Currie is interested in learning more about plans to engage with hard to reach groups. Rona Gold noted the date and acknowledged the need to engage widely. Ian Brodie highlighted a lack of feedback from the Ambulance and Coastguard Services.

Action - Joe McKay and Rona Gold to discuss requesting an update from Ambulance and Coastguard for the September CPP MC meeting.

Robin Currie proposed the use of participatory budgeting in community planning processes beyond local grant awards. Rona Gold responded that participatory budgeting had been used to guide the Building Back Better work stream using the CONSUL tool. The CONSUL platform could be used to help shape priorities for the next ABOIP.

Alison McGrory felt there needed to be more flexibility within a 10-year plan.

Rona Gold reported that the production of a 10-year Outcome Improvement Plan is a legislative requirement however there is flexibility within this to review priorities more regularly within that period. This needs to be carefully balanced by an approach that has long term ambition.

Ryan MacIntyre reported participatory budgeting formulae are inaccessible, and the process was too complex for young people to engage in effectively, after experiencing this in an application for PB. Rona Gold acknowledged that some of the documentation used in relation to previous participatory budgeting exercises was very complex.

Action - Rona Gold to discuss with Ryan MacIntyre to the best tools and ways to communicate and engage with young people as part of the ABOIP review.

Ryan MacIntyre reported 160 Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament will be meeting next week in Cumbernauld to set their priorities for the next two years. The motion to be brought forward by the Argyll and Bute Members is for the provision of study rooms for senior secondary school pupils. The recent Scottish Youth Parliament priorities debate included discussion on drugs misuse, educational attainment, the right to food and the climate emergency.

The Argyll and Bute MSYPs plan a roadshow to tour the secondary schools in Argyll and Bute in August to establish contacts and ensure young people are represented and have their priorities identified. Information on the roadshows will be shared on their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Action - Rona Gold to discuss with Ryan MacIntyre planned roadshow engagement could be linked to ABOIP review.

Fergus Murray reported that the Council is preparing two bids for the Levelling Up Fund. There will be a bid for up to £20m for regeneration work which will include investment in Rothesay Town Centre (around the former Royal Hotel and Guildford Square) and around Dunoon Pier (which could tie in with the Shaping Places for Wellbeing - Dunoon Project).

The second bid for up to £50m will focus on transportation and infrastructure. One aim is to improve transport connections to Islay and Jura, specifically to unlock the potential of the spirit industry, including the provision of a low-carbon Jura Ferry. Road improvements and active travel routes are also proposed for Port Askaig. A further aim is to provide a secondary entrance to Dunbeg as part of the Dunbeg corridor with a new commercial area and additional housing.  The bid also requests funding for improvements to the Tobermory – Salen road, a green fuelling station in Oban and development of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Hub at Oban Airport.

The bids will be discussed at the Council meeting on June 30^th and will be submitted to the UK Government by July 6^th with notification expected, if successful, by Autumn.

Fergus Murray said this was the only current opportunity for significant strategic capital investment and confirmed that the Levelling Up Fund is supposed to replace elements of European Funding. The fund is highly competitive and the bid may not be successful. If successful this would make a significant contribution to our net zero targets and create employment opportunities.

Ishabel Bremner presented a report detailing the progress of the ABEP. The delivery plan has been created to focus on service delivery requirements and approaches, plus employability interventions for vulnerable residents and communities. The Scottish Government is seeking finalised delivery plans by June 30^th. ABEP will provide bi-annual updates to the CPP MC with regard to the new delivery plan.

Joe McKay offered congratulations to PC Stephen Tanner on Tiree, who has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal and to John Fraser on Coll, who has been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal.

Rona Gold reported that the Scottish Government has created a role description for the proposed Place Director positions. A Scottish Government Civil Servant will be appointed to the role and will join the CPP MC.

Action - Rona Gold to circulate the role description for Scottish Government Place Director.

Rona Gold circulated the strategy to the CPP MC.

Action - CPP MC members to respond to the strategy by June 29 2022.

Joe McKay advised consultation on the plan is open until July 10^th.  The plan covers the next 10 years and includes 7 strategic priorities. Partners can discuss the plan with Joe McKay and his team or feedback directly via the weblink.

The next CPP Management Committee meeting will be on 28^th September 2022 at 1000.

The next meeting will be held using Microsoft Teams at 10.00am on 28^th September 2022.

Ian Brodie asked the CPP MC for their feedback on their experiences of engaging with meetings virtually using digital platforms compared with meeting in person.

Robin Currie said that a return to face to face meetings might be useful when setting new priorities and discussing the new plan. Pippa Milne agreed that workshop sessions could be more productive face to face, however, virtual meetings allow more inclusivity and align with climate change objectives. Lynn Ratcliff agreed with the differentiation between conducting meetings online and holding workshops in person.

Joe McKay also agreed and suggested that CPP MC meetings continue to be held using Microsoft Teams, noting face to face engagement around the next ABOIP may be more appropriate.

Action - CPP Team to circulate a short survey to capture the feedback of everyone, including partners unable to attend this meeting, on meeting format and preferences.