Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:-

Councillor Dick Walsh

Councillor Jimmy McQueen

Councillor Alex McNaughton

Iain McNaughton, Sandbank Community Council

Colin Moulson, PA23 BID

Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group – 28^th June 2013

The Minutes of the previous meeting of 28^th June 2013 were approved as a correct record.

Councillor Marshall gave an update on what was happening in the Burgh Hall.

He advised that there is now a new Director on the Board, Rosie McInnes, and the Board have recently published a small booklet including a message from each of the trustees in respect of funding.

Councillor Marshall advised the Group that Colin Moulson, the new PA23 BID Manager had now been appointed and discussed arrangements for the new Christmas light turn on. 

The Group agreed to request an update to the next meeting regarding the possibility of installing lighting at Hillfoot Street.

The Group agreed that the Chair would send an email to Euan MacDonald to raise the concern that materials for the recent Dunoon Dazzles event that could have been sourced locally appeared to have been purchased either online or across the water.

David Robertson from the Forestry Commission had a discussion with the group around the promotion of off road cycling routes in the area.  He advised the Forestry Commission own a lot of land in the area that pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders use regularly.   There is a difficulty in that although FCS allow access to their ground and private land owners are not willing to promote that access or be part of a marketing initiative for it.

It was agreed that Gordon would take forward the promotion of routes and bring an update back to the next meeting.

Councillor Breslin advised the Group that he had been in recent contact with Douglas Blades, the Council’s Public Transport Officer where they had a discussion about bus timetables which included information on visitor attractions.

He suggested it was a good idea to have 1, 2 or 3 ticket day passes to visit the area which would make attractions cheaper and could cover you on the local bus. 

He advised Douglas is going to speak to Colin of West Coast Motors as the tenders are out for the bus timetables and let him know when the tender process is complete.

Catriona Craig advised the Group that she is in the process of producing more leaflets for the promotion of Dunoon and Cowal and that she is now a Director of the Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative.

Councillor Breslin agreed to attend the Clyde Ferry Users Group in place of Councillor Marshall on 12^th December when he will look to have Dunoon/Gourock included in the Cal Mac Hopscotch ticketing arrangements.

Catriona advised there is 50,000 leaflets being distributed round the central belt of Scotland for walking, cycling and scenery areas.

The Group had a discussion on creating a sub group to look at the leaflets in relation to all the attractions in the area.  It was agreed that Councillors Breslin and Marshall, Catriona Craig, David Robertson and Colin Moulson would attend this sub group.

Janet McKellar advised that she has been working on an employability programme which includes a lot of work around housing and sustainability.  This has been successful and has received funding for 3 years.  She advised that the Council has money until March 2014 to help fund 50% of this programme.

She advised there will be two full time posts available to help with this programme for 3 years for running activities, building health programmes, healthy eating and parenting.

Ailsa Cunningham informed the Group that the museum signs have been taken down for the winter and has agreed she will contact the museum to see if signage can be put back in place.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 3^rd February 2014 at 2pm in the Customer Services Offices, 22 Hill Street, Dunoon.