Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

Fraser Durie, Argyll College

Brian Fleming, Department for Work and Pensions

Louise Long, Health and Social Care Partnership

Shirley MacLeod, Argyll & Bute Council

Councillor Ellen Morton, Argyll and Bute Council

Cleland Sneddon, Argyll and Bute Council

Christina West, Health and Social Care Partnership

Gordon Wales, Scottish Government

The minutes and highlights of the meeting of the CPP Management Committee of the 20^th December 2016 were approved as a correct record.

The Action Tracker was updated as follows and approved as an accurate reflection of current actions.

• Action 73 to be removed as now business as usual
• Action 100 to be removed as now business as usual
• Action 105 – Following discussion it was agreed to leave this action on until September 2017 and to review following the summer season. Examples of good practice were mentioned including a leaflet that the community of Islay have produced themselves. Pippa Milne offered to speak to Margaret Adams about any specific issues that may arise. Samantha to obtain copy of Islay leaflet and circulate to Management Committee members.
• Action 106 can now be marked as complete
• Action 109 – No suggestions received from recent APCG meetings. It was agreed that the Community Planning team would set up a survey/voting tool for Management Committee members to decide upon the name for the SOA/LOIP.
• Action 111 can now be marked as complete
• Action 114 can now be marked as complete
• Action 115 is ongoing.

Action: Samantha to obtain leaflet produced by the community of Islay regarding driving on single track roads/wild camping and circulate to Management Committee.

Action: Samantha to send out voting mechanism for Management Committee members to decide upon the name for the SOA/LOIP.

Lorna Elliott presented the information from the February meetings of the Area Community Planning Groups.

The Management Committee discussed the three points raised by the Area Community Planning Groups and the response is below each point.

Consider bringing back key worker status within their organisations

Key worker status was described to be in relation to people coming for ‘key required jobs’ and being able to find accommodation. It was agreed that this would be tasked to the Joint Recruitment Working Group to consider as part of their action plan.

Discussion was also held on the Rural Resettlement Fund and recruitment incentives, and the need to better publicise and promote these. Grant requested that any Management Committee member attending the Area Community Planning Groups in April include this as part of any update.

Undertake an employee survey within their organisations to establish the numbers of those who choose to commute to jobs within the area rather than relocate and the reasons why

It was agreed that this would be tasked to the Joint Recruitment Working Group to create a question set for a survey as part of their action plan. It was agreed that the information from such a survey would be a good evidence base.

Provide feedback from a strategic level regarding the potential implications of the level of budget cuts being proposed at an Argyll & Bute level by the Integrated Joint Board

Elaine Garman advised that the Quality and Finance Plan was agreed by the Integrated Joint Board on the 29^th March 2017 and that there will be engagement events on specific service redesigns and reviews over the coming year which will be promoted through the Health and Social Care Partnership locality groups. It was agreed that the Management Committee should be updated when service changes impact other partners. It was acknowledged that services have to change and changes need to come in budget and that was a challenging and difficult area. It was agreed that when implications of changes are identified they are to be brought to the CPP Management Committee for the partnership to consider what it can do.

Action: Joint Recruitment Strategies working group to look further at bringing back key worker status.

Action: CPP Management Committee members attending Area Community Planning Groups in April to give information on recruitment incentives.

Action: All partners to actively promote the Rural Resettlement Fund

Action: Joint Recruitment Strategies working group to create a question set for a survey as part of their action plan to explore why people choose to commute to Argyll and Bute for work.

Action: Implications of changes required by Health and Social Care Partnership in response to budget reduction are to be brought to the CPP Management Committee when known, for the partnership to consider what it can do.

Lorna advised that the Community Planning Outcome Profile Tool and the Place Standard tool had been shown to Area Community Planning Groups at the February round of meetings to start the conversation on Locality Planning. Each of the four groups had recurring and similar issues which were flagged up during the meeting and that there was an opportunity for these issues to be picked up as the Outcome delivery plans are reviewed between April and June 2017.

It was felt that steps 1 and 2 of the methodology on page 21 had been carried out and steps 3-6 would be carried out in conjunction with the review of the delivery plans. It was noted that activity would need to be targeted to a place and would be very specific over the course of 1 year.

It was agreed that a draft locality plan would come to the June meeting of the Management Committee with the final plan being signed off at the September meeting in advance of 1 October 2017 deadline.

Action: Rona to meet with outcome leads to revise delivery plans and bring to June CPP Management Committee for consideration. Delivery Plans to include local targeted partner action on key issues within priority places.

Rona requested that Management Committee members form part of the working group to set the agenda and assist in preparations for the meeting of the Full Partnership in 2017. Glenn Heritage offered assistance of the TSI.

Discussion was held on the possibility of having the Management Committee Development Day on the 31^st May however this was not a date that several members could make. It was agreed that Samantha would send out a poll to look at dates in early June.

It was noted that there was nothing else currently scheduled on or around the 15^th November by partners.

Action: Samantha to send out email requesting nominations for the Full Partnership Working Group.

Action: Samantha to poll Management Committee members on a date in June for the Development Day.

Highlights and performance information

Jenny spoke to the report and presented the highlights of the activities currently found within the delivery plan. This included Developing Young Workforce which is enabling dedicated people to work between schools and businesses. Also highlighted was the Oban as a University Town Steering Group which is setting up its organisational structure. Donald MacLean, a University Professor and resident of Argyll and Bute, has agreed to chair the Steering Group.

Jenny advised that the delivery plan would be revised to ensure it is representative of the key priorities and collaborative projects for the next 12-24 months taking into consideration the Economic Forum, HIE Economic Plans, Council Economic Plans and feedback from Area Community Planning groups.

The performance information for Outcome 1 was also presented to the Management Committee. It was noted that the data is indicative of trends and background information rather than showing success of current projects.

Jenny spoke on the report produced by the Chair of the Economic Forum, Nick Ferguson, on the progress of the Economic Forum over the last year. It was noted that Nick was generally happy with progress and it was recognised that partners were actively working together with commendable energy and had a common understanding of the needs of the area.

Good progress has been made, the next stages are to have media and schools inclusive of shared vision by increasing their awareness of this. Key areas for improvement over the next year in Nick’s opinion are

• The tourism offering
• Business and school relationships
• Active Chamber of Commerce and Business Networking
• Further development of Argyll College and SAMS
• Mobile connectivity
• Road improvements

The report highlighted key supporting area of the Rural Resettlement Fund.

Stuart Green also advised of funding to support projects that had taken place following the publication of the report:

Spaceport – £40k granted from Inward Investment Funded matched by HIE and Discover Space UK creating a fund of £120k towards developing the proposition and attraction of investors. 

Developing Young Workforce - 01.03.17 - announcement by the Scottish Government that the Developing Young Workforce (DYW) Argyll Regional Group is to receive funding of £422,213 to support its work with employers, colleges and schools.

Dunoon and Rothesay Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes

·         Argyll and Bute Council secured over £1.5 million of Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) funding from Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

·         Rothesay – HES £500,000, Council £200,000, and, subject to a successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, £3 million [total] will be invested in the town centre

·         Dunoon - £1,002,348, Council £500,000 + private contributions – total £1.9m

Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Funds:

• £3 million from Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) funding aimed at regenerating economically fragile rural areas and involving local communities.

• £700,000 towards construction work on Oban Maritime Quarter transit berthing facility. Part of the £3 million CHORD town centre investment and will make it easier for marine visitors to come to Oban who arrive by cruise ship, kayak, commercial vessel or yacht. It will create an access point for people with all abilities, 36 finger-berth pontoons and a concrete floating breakwater as well as an associated maritime visitor facility to include harbour offices, showers, toilets, changing areas and secure lockers.

• £580,000 has been awarded to the project aimed at regenerating the Ardrishaig Waterfront and Maritime Hub. This will support the development of the former Gleaner Oil depot, an important waterfront site in the heart of Ardrishaig identified as a key location for regeneration through Rethink the Link, the community charrette held in 2016. Partnership with community groups and Scottish Canals.

• £1.6 million funding has been awarded which will allow Mull and Iona Community Trust to progress its proposal to build the Tobermory Light Industrial Park on Mull – a 0.8 hectare purpose built flexible industrial park incorporating storage space and business development sites for up to 15 new or expanding businesses.

Grant advised that the group had met twice to assess what partners are currently doing, where there are gaps and where the partnership could add value with the next stage being to create an action plan to have a coordinated approach to local recruitment. It was confirmed that the reporting back on the action plan would be through Outcome 1 Lead, Jennifer Nicoll.

The marketing of Argyll and Bute to accompany the Head of Children and Families vacancy was seen as good practice.

Highlights and performance information

Alison spoke to the highlights report and advised that progress was good with a focus on improving health outcomes. It was noted that the statistics on child healthy weight in Argyll and Bute were worse than the Scottish average and that this was of concern, and that in revising the delivery plan, partnership actions around Child Healthy weight should be considered.

The issue on Falls Prevention was discussed and it was agreed that there would be a further conversation between Police, Fire and Health to scope out where further partnership working would be beneficial. It was highlighted that this matter should have links to the Adult Protection Committee.  

Glenn advised that Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSE) were offering to replace old appliances for those meeting certain criteria. It was agreed that this would be promoted through the CPP bulletin.

Action: Child Healthy Weight actions to be considered in the revised Delivery Plan

Action: Alison McGrory, Gail McClymont and Stuart McLean to meet to discuss further partnership working in relation to Falls Prevention.

Action: The matter of Falls Prevention to be linked to the Adult Protection Committee

Action: Samantha to circulate information on the replacement of appliances by SSE through the CPP bulletin

The Community Transport report itself can be found at http://argylltransportpages.co/WorkshopReportRoadmapV6.pdf

Glenn spoke to the report and advised on the issues identified as a result of the conference on community transport held in 2016 and advised that she had a small amount of funding to support work on Community Transport. It was agreed that Glenn would Chair a short life working group of 3-4 meetings maximum, to discuss the findings of the report and propose recommendations to the Management Committee on how best to use the funds and take the report findings forward with an interim update coming to the June meeting of the Management Committee.

Action: Partners to nominate representatives to sit on a short life working group looking at Community Transport.

Elaine advised that interviews for the Head of Children and Families would take place in April and that it was hoped the post-holder would be in place by August 2017. Elaine stated that the Quality and Finance Plan and been approved by the Integrated Joint Board on the 29^th March and that further savings needed to be identified to meet the budget gap.

There was only one exception this period which was covered in the Outcome 5 update.

Rona advised that the delivery plans would be updated between April and June 2017 and that the Outcome Leads have been indicating what the actions for the coming year are likely to take consideration of:

Outcome 1: aligning with the Economic Forum

Outcome 2: setting up a regional infrastructure meeting to discuss challenges and actions

Outcome 3: setting up a workshop day to explore and understand the joint educational offering.

Outcome 4: Taking into consideration the Children’s Services Plan

Outcome 5: Looking at changing model of health, prevention work, trips & falls and child healthy weight

Outcome 6: having a clearer focus on Mental Health and Community Justice

It was confirmed that Elaine Garman would be the Interim Outcome Lead for Outcome 4 and that Alison McGrory would continue as the Outcome Lead for Outcome 5.

Andy spoke of the community perception of dereliction around Lochgilphead in particular with reference to empty shops, peeling paint and the number of empty houses. He spoke of businesses within Lochgilphead who were considering closing and the hope that the town will benefit from the recent Charrette on the Crinan Canal and the council’s Regeneration Fund earmarked for Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig and Tarbert. Andy highlighted that Community Action Plans were also bringing these issues up.

Andy also spoke of the difficulty in attending a Dentist appointment within Lochgilphead due to the vacancy there and how patients were being encouraged to register with other surgeries.

Pippa Milne spoke of the Charrette and the £3 million regeneration fund earmarked for Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig and Tarbert which features 11 shortlisted projects as well as an ongoing bid for low-level decontamination of the Gleaner site in Ardrishaig. It is hoped that this will act as a catalyst for private owners. Pippa also spoke of the Rural Growth deal currently being pursued by the Council, the Single Investment Plan that was recently approved, a pilot of simplified planning zones and the Smarterplaces work currently happening between all partner agencies.

Jennifer Nicoll highlighted from a HIE perspective that alongside strategic initiatives such as Kilmartin Museum, there may be a need to understand the business need of the community and look at models of support for that.

Andy highlighted that it was only recently that Lochgilphead have had access to windfarm funds and that it will take time to get used to this funding, however it could provide an opportunity.

It was agreed that Pippa would look to produce regular information on the strategic work underway and planned to support regeneration in the area to help instil confidence that work is ongoing on this.

It was also agreed that Jennifer would speak to the MAKI CPG of ongoing regeneration activity in the area.

Elaine advised that she would arrange for the Locality Manager to attend the Area Community Planning Group to answer the specifics regarding the Dentist practice in Lochgilphead.

Action: Pippa to produce briefing on all regeneration work happening throughout Argyll and Bute to be circulated to the public and to be updated on a regular basis.

Action: Jennifer to speak to the MAKI CPG in April regarding ongoing regeneration activity.

Action: Elaine to ensure that the Locality Manager attends the MAKI CPG to answer the specific question on the Dentist practice.

The Draft Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plan and its appendices can be found at  https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/ab_cjoip_consultation_draft_plan_including_appendices.pdf

The Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plan was tabled and approved. It was noted that the Consultation on the plan was ongoing and that the Plan would be brought back to the September meeting of the Management Committee following the consultation’s conclusion.

Rona advised that the new Director of the Big Lottery was willing to speak to the Management Committee and provide analysis of how Argyll and Bute has received funding from the Big Lottery Fund. It was agreed that Rona would invite him to a future meeting.

Action: Rona to invite the Director of the Big Lottery to a future Management Committee meeting.

The report that went to the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee on the 15^th March with a draft Council response can be found at: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s117160/PLANNING%20REVIEW%20COMM%20REPORT%20PPSL%20MARCH%202017%20v0.4.pdf

Rona advised that the consultation had many linkages to Community Planning within it alongside proposals for “community plans”. It was highlighted that we are in regular contact with Planning colleagues and we would act following results of the consultation.

Grant advised that previous policing plans had focused on crime statistics and the plan presented to management committee was an attempt to link with the context of Community Planning, focusing on policing activities in relation to the outcomes of the SOA/LOIP.  Grant advised that he was happy to receive any comments or feedback on the plan and that partners could contact him directly to do this. Jennifer felt it was a very innovative approach, the style of which could be adopted by all partners.

Management Committee: 28^th June 2017

Area Community Planning Groups:

·         Bute and Cowal, Tuesday 18^th April, 10.00, Timber Pier Building, Dunoon

·         Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands, Wednesday 19^th April, Main meeting in Campbeltown with VC links to Islay and Lochgilphead

·         Helensburgh and Lomond, Tuesday 25^th April, 09.30, Pillar Hall, Victoria Halls, Helensburgh

·         Oban, Lorn and the Isles, Thursday 27^th April, 18.30, Corran Halls, Oban