Agenda and minutes

Raymond Park welcomed everyone to the meeting, noted apologies intimated and thanked AIE for the use of their Boardroom.

Discussion around the FSF

It was agreed to go ahead with the short life working group during the Transition Year (Year 1).

Voluntary Sector Protocol

Continue discussion between different Voluntary Sector organisations.  There is confidence that a united response will be achieved.

Action Point: agreed to support the Volunteer of the Year Awards

No matters arising.

The Minutes of the meeting of 28 November 2007 were accepted as an accurate record.

Hexagon have been awarded the contract, with excellent references back.  This is now an opportunity for the Partnership to work closely with their new contractor.  Hexagon will be managed by the Community Planning Partnership and the single point of contact will be Chris Carr, Research Associate, Argyll and Bute Council.

A discussion followed as to why no local company showed an interest – Hexagon outshone the competition and have shown themselves to be extremely flexible.

Action Point: Present paper to the next MC meeting outlining the above and invite Hexagon along to the meeting with the opportunity to give a presentation to the CPP (14 May 08 – Oban).  Circulate name of Hexagon contact point –

Eileen Wilson

Defer the Action Point of 6 February.   Alan Livingstone has mentioned their continued involvement is crucial to the development of communities.

Incorporating Big Lottery, European Funding and Local Community Planning (to follow)

The submission date is 28 March 2008.  An agreement is expected in June.

Willie Young brought it to everyone’s attention that there are several omissions which relate to quality of life -  Sports and Amenity, Inward Migration, Youth Work Strategy and Sport/Physical Activity Strategy.

A discussion followed with all Partners contributing on how we can improve the communication process and fill the gaps.  It was outlined that each Partner has a role to play in the SOA, the overall aim is to become more co-ordinated.  All Partners are obliged to work and engage with communities and all Partners will benefit from the Citizens Panel surveys and service – which in turn will help  to fill the gaps and should improve communication.  Partners exchanged views and feelings relating to their organisations at Management Committee meetings, which are then expressed at Full Partnership meetings.  There is a good opportunity through the FSF to engage appropriately with local communities, remove boundaries and improve the way services have been delivered, but not forgetting the good work that is actually being done.  Eileen Wilson explained that during this first transition year we should be strong enough to tackle these issues and to connect with our local communities.

Action Points

1.         Willie Young will liaise with Eileen Wilson as to where these points should fit in the SOA and FSF.

2.         Eileen Wilson and Arlene Cullum, Corporate Funding Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, will develop a more appropriate communication strategy for the Management Committee and Funding Hub.

Lucinda Gray to report back (to follow)

Action Point – work in progress – item on next Management Committee agenda – Lucinda Gray

Public engagement research project to support the Future Planning of Health Services on Coll & Colonsay – Christina West

This is a two year project working to enage with 4 communities – 2 within Argyll and Bute.

The project is requesting support from the Community Planning Partnership and is willing to go to and work with other Partner agencies to engage.

The outcome is a “toolkit” for engagement and working with communities, which will be available to Partners.

Offers of help from Partners to share information as well as several suggestions of possible links were offered – The Health and Sport link with latE (Hughie Donaldson), perhaps the two organisations can be linked.    The Pier to Pier vehicle, Glenn Heritage will contact Christina West with details.  The National Standards of Community Engagement has health at the top of its concerns for sustainable communities.

Actioin Point – CPP to give the project full support.  Their appointed associate will attend a future MC meeting and provide an update.

Sandra Greer (to follow)

Noted.  Acknowledging the different types of care required in the future.

• Enterprise Company Changes – Sue Gledhill
• Young Scot/Dialogue Youth/Youth Focus – Roanna Taylor (to follow)

Enterprise Company Changes

As of 31 March 2008 AIE will cease to exist.  HIE will be retaining their role in strengthening communities.  SE Dunbartonshire are in a parallel situation.  Aileen Edwards is no longer the contact, the new contact will be Alison Bennett.  Alison.bennett@scotent.co.uk

Partnership Review

This is almost complete.

Partnership communications

A positive discussion was held during which concerns were raised covering the need for better two-way communication between all parties, this will have to encompass and acknowledge the various structures/restrictions of the Partners with their needs, requirements, options and decisions.

Currently one opportunity for this is via the Community Planning Partnership – Partnership Feedback on each agenda.

The Partnership is entering an era where the intention is less duplication and more of embracing relationship building and engagement with local communities with the introduction of the Fairer Scotland Fund.

Action Points –

Future agenda item – Communication Strategy

Look at a co-ordinated approach with the Voluntary sector and FSF.

Also see Action Point – agenda item 6.

Funding Hub Minutes and Pitch Report of 6 February 2007

Funding Hub Minutes and Pitch Report of 6 February 2008

Noted.

Jura Development Trust

The Trust has recently secured £40,000 of funding for mooring.

The Partners were reminded that the Community Learning and  Regeneration conference will take place on 31 March – 1 April.

An enquiry has been received from Rita Campbell, a journalist for the Aberdeenshire Press and Journal to attend a future meeting.

It was decided to invite Rita to the next full Partnership meeting.

Action Point – Sonya Thomas to invite Rita Campbell.

The next meeting will take place on 14 May in Oban Fire Station, Oban.