Agenda and minutes

Andrew Campbell welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Community Planning Management Committee 13 June 2007

The Minutes of the meeting of 13 June 2007 were accepted as an accurate record.  Eileen Wilson had received comments from John Davidson, Islay and Jura CVS and she would reply to these.

Action Note: Eileen Wilson to write to John Davidson

Matters arising from the previous meeting were included on the agenda.                            

10 Minute Powerpoint Presentation – Roanna Taylor, Young Scot/Dialogue Youth Co-ordinator

Roanna Taylor, Young Scot Co-ordinator, Argyll and Bute Council, gave a presentation on the role of Argyll and Bute Young Scot initiative, which is a national youth card and youth information agency for Scotland and is a registered charity, based in Edinburgh, which has been established for over 24 years.  Young Scot is supported by, among others, Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise, 32 Scottish  Local Authorities, NHS, SportScotland etc.

Roanna explained the aim of Dialogue Youth – the partnership between the Scottish Executive, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the local authority, Young Scot and young people – to provide young people with an enabling mix of information,  ideas and incentives, to stimulate lifelong learning, youth mobility, community safety, healthy lifestyles and enterprise education.  This would promote active citizenship and social inclusion, develop a localised adaptation of Young Scot involving new technology and local facilities and services and would build in Young Scot’s menu of services (books, cards, magazines helplines, etc).

Roanna answered various questions arising from the presentation.

It was noted that the project funding comes to an end in March 2008 and action would be required to identify a funding shortfall.

Having regard to discussion relating to concessionary travel for youths, it was noted that ferry operators had been the only form of transport who declined requests for involvement in the national entitlement card travel scheme and it was agreed that the Partnership should approach Caledonian MacBrayne on behalf of Young Scot.

Andrew thanked Roanna for attending the meeting and for the strong message delivered.  He also invited the Young Scot Co-ordinator to contact Eileen Wilson, Community Planning Manager, on any matter on which it was felt the Partnership might be able to assist.

Action Note: Andrew Campbell to write to Caledonian MacBrayne to seek their involvement

Eileen Wilson explained that Alan McDougall was unable to come along to this meeting but that a demonstration on the development of the web site would be

provided at the next meeting.

David Dowie said Communities Scotland would be putting funding towards the talk site and Eileen advised that she had completed an “Investing in Ideas” application to the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of the Partnership.

Action Note: Eileen Wilson to invite Alan McDougall to next meeting to demonstrate web site

Findings on the New Community Plan

Copies had previously been circulated of the Findings of the Citizens’ Panel Survey on the New Community Plan and the meeting went through the details.  It was noted that 506 people had responded to the survey.

It was noted from the survey that support for the encouragement and integration of migrant workers within Argyll and Bute was lukewarm, though positive.  An increase in the number of migrant workers was a cause of concern for some.  It was agreed to note this area of lack of cohesion and agreed HIE’s offer to invite Douglas Cowan to come to a meeting of the Partnership’s Management Committee.

Planning issues, such as wind farms and land for housing were noted and partners felt that the local authority’s Local Plan guidance was to be welcomed.  The findings of the survey would inform the process of implementation of the Community Plan and Eileen would report back on outcome.

Partners were asked to provide comments to Eileen Wilson on the subjects for the next Citizens’ Panel Questionnaire, likely to include child protection, gaelic and other languages, affordable housing.

Action Note: Eileen Wilson to invite Douglas Cowan, HIE to a future meeting

Community Planning Partnership 6 July 2007

The Minutes of the Partnership meeting held on 6 July 2007 were accepted as a true record.

Eileen Wilson advised that she would respond to questions and comments which had been submitted by John Davidson, Islay and Jura CVS.

Brian barker advised that Dick Walsh, new Chair of the Partnership, intends becoming more involved with the Full partnership and will attend the next Management Committee meeting in order to meet all those involved.

Action Note: Eileen Wilson to (1) write to John Davidson, Islay and Jura CVS; and (2) invite Dick Walsh to next meeting

The finalised Community Plan for 2007 to 2017 was laid on the table along with the     Action Plan.

Eileen Wilson had contacted all partners with the Action Plan and confirmed that the Plan would show how partnerships are measuring action for reporting to the Scottish Executive.  Eileen will collate details of the work that is happening and look at any gaps.  Aspirations are substantial in Argyll and Bute, enabling organisations with the backing of the Community Planning Partnership.

The Action Plan will involve all organisations and these would be included on the Action Plan list.  Eileen Wilson to collate the Action Plan from  partnership updates and it was hoped that Community Planning partnerships could link all types of organisations.   Strathclyde Fire and Rescue would share their Plan with the partnership.

Comments received from Pat Logan, Argyll and Bute Volunteer Centre, were read out and it was agreed that there was sufficient representation from the voluntary sector.

The meeting agreed the final Community Plan 2007 – 2017 and this would now be made available on Argyll and Bute Council’s website – www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/yourcouncil/partnerships/cpphomepage1

There had previously been circulated progress report by Jennifer Swanson, Policy Officer- Strategy.  It was noted that Sarah Parkin, OBE, Founder Director of Forum for the Future, had been invited to facilitate the one-day seminar in Argyll on either Thursday 25 or Friday 26 October 2007, the most suitable date for Sarah Parkin  to be confirmed.  Jennifer had also circulated to partners, by email dated 7 August  2007, a draft outline for the seminar asking partners to nominate individuals to participate in the workshop, with any comments on the proposed programme, and suggestions for a suitable venue, all by 17 August.

Action Note: All Partners

Eileen Wilson explained the requirement for partners to report back to her for reporting to future Committee meetings (see previous discussion under Community Plan).  Partners were asked to present to Eileen what their organisations are doing to fit in with Community Plan reporting.  This would be two-way information.

Eileen had received a note from Council Chief Executive regarding a recent telephone conversation with Sue Riley in regard to Initiative at the Edge Steering Group and the minute of that meeting was awaited.  Scottish Executive Minister to visit Argyll and Bute.          

Discuss Scottish Executive Request dated 19 June 2007 and Minister’s forthcoming visit to Islay

There had previously been circulated message dated 19 June 2007 from Scottish Executive regarding proposals for nine key organisations working in rural affairs and environment to deliver a single rural and environmental service.

Bill Dundas, SERPAID, gave some background in relation to the Scottish Executive’s remit.  Andrew Campbell referred to this national issue, saying that local communications were good in the rural area of Argyll and Bute.  The meeting then discussed matters around the one-day visit by Michael Russell, MSP, Minister for Environment to Islay on 22 August 2007, the preparation for which it was noted was cross-organisational on the island, with the programming of the event crossing all boundaries.

It was agreed that any questions partners might wish to put to the Minister should either be forwarded to Eileen Wilson or via the Scottish Executive website where questions had been requested.

Action Note: Eileen Wilson to report back to next meeting on the Minister’s visit to Islay

Discussion Paper

Nigel Stewart, Director of Corporate Services, spoke to the discussion paper, which had previously been circulated in regard to the Council’s proposal for the establishment of four Policy and Performance Groups – on Social Affairs, Economy, Environment and Organisational Development.

Nigel discussed the ways in which the Council would be looking at how best to effect collaboration with others which would provide links at political level between Councillors on these PPGs and Partnership bodies.  The paper had been issued to all Councillors for them to contribute towards PPGs and a Seminar would be held for them on 17 August following which Nigel would feed back to partners for contributions into the process.

Nigel confirmed that as PPGs develop they will look to their partnership bodies on matters within the terms of reference of the four Groups and take forward for the future.  There would be clear work programmes which would be made available to partners for consultation at draft stage.

Nigel answered various questions and also received comments from the meeting in regard to processes in the present way of working and that policy development would bring in different arrangements with scope to improve in the future.  Nigel clarified the role of Councils acting on statutory planning matters and decision making.

Andrew commented on the enthusiasm of the Community Planning Partnership about PPG and welcomed this opportunity to contribute to the local authority in building strengths and skills into best value and improvement.

(a)               TRANSPORT

Alan Murray advised that Strathclyde Passenger Transport were holding a consultation event in Glasgow on 9 August which it was hoped would be well represented by Argyll and Bute.

(b)               DRIVESAFE

David McBride, Drive Safe in Argyll and Bute Co-ordinator will be contacting partners to move the DriveSafe initiative forward.

Action Note: Eileen Wilson to invite David McBride to next meeting – 3 October 2007 

     (c)         COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Andrew referred to a recent email which partners had received from Peter Minshalll having learned with regret of the demise of CVS’ Lochgilphead office through the decision of the board of Argyll CVS to downsize due to a reduction in funding.  It was noted that services would be retained in Kintyre and Helensburgh as well as the development of Argyll Communities’ web site and online directory.

Partners look forward to continuing community inter-action with the volunteer service and it was agreed that Andrew would write to Peter Minshall to thank him for his varied and valuable contribution to the Partnership.

Action Note: Andrew to write to Peter Minshall

(d)       CHAIR OF COMMUNITY PLANNING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

            Eileen thanked Andrew Campbell for the valued work carried out by him as Chair of the Community Planning Management Committee which would then be taken by Superintendent Raymond Park in October.  Andrew responded that he had enjoyed his term of office and would of course continue to attend Management Committee meetings.

It was noted that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 3 October 2007 at 10.30 am.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue offered to make available their board room in the Oban Fire Station for the next meeting.