Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from:

Councillor James McQueen

Virginia Sumsion, Fyne Projects

Brian Close, Planning Officer

The minute of the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group 31^st March 2015 was approved as a correct record.

Matters arising from the minutes:

·         Pedestrianisation of Argyll Street to be taken to the August Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group.

·         Councillor Marshall intimated that he would be requesting an item on the August Area Committee Agenda on unsightly buildings.

Verbal update by Cowalfest representative

Iain McNaughton on behalf of Cowalfest provided the Group with a verbal update on the upcoming Camp Enduro event, with the following points noted:

·         ongoing consultation with the Forestry Commission and Till Hill have so far been very positive and consideration has also been given to looking at a longer term arrangement over the next few years.

·         Four routes have been identified and competitors would move from one route to another until all four had been completed.

·         The Bishops Glen section of the competition would need to be discussed further with amenity services.

·         No Fuss events will provide stewarding for the event and are very experienced in running this type of event.

·         It was noted that the next stage for the event setup is risk assessments which will be handled by No Fuss events.

·         It is hoped that around 200 competitors will enter the event.

Verbal update by Councillor Bruce Marshall

A discussion between the Members of the Group was held in relation to the non availability of free WiFi in the Dunoon town centre Area

Actions

This item should be put on the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group Agenda for August with an approach being made to the Council’s Economic Development Team to send a delegate to attend the meeting

Verbal update by Councillor Gordon Blair

In the absence of Councillor Blair, the Group requested that he provide an email update on the progress of the proposed Argyll Gardens music concert to the Group.

A representative from the HELP Project was not present at the meeting so therefore no update was provided.

Catriona Craig from Cowal Marketing Group and Visit Cowal  provided an update on the Marketing Groups plans for the forthcoming tourist season as well as a  general update on the following:

·         The idea of a leaflet being handed out to children visiting outdoor centres was discussed at the last Cowal Marketing Group meeting and Catriona fed back that the marketing group were not comfortable with this idea and the general feeling was that in the majority of households it would just go in the bin. It was suggested by the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group that instead of leaflets they could look into fridge magnet cards with the Cowal Marketing website details displayed on them, Catriona agreed to feed this idea back.

·         Catriona informed the group that she had completed all her actions from the previous minute and has passed on contact details to Len Gow for Argyll Ferries to discuss with them with the prospect of advertising on the Argyll Ferries Website.

·         Cowal Marketing Group are promoting the Kitchens of Cowal event on their website and there potentially may be leaflets produced to promote the event as well.

·         Cowal Marketing Group are actively encouraging local businesses to use the visit Cowal logo and continue to work closely with the Argyll and Bute Tourism Board and Argyll and Bute Council.

Actions

1.    Feedback to Councillor Blair that a more inexpensive way of marketing needs to be looked out regarding outdoor centres.

2.    Catriona to look into the possibility of promoting the No Fuss events on the Cowal Marketing Group’s website.

A representative from the PA23BID was not present at the meeting, so therefore no update was provided.

Iain McNaughton on behalf of Cowalfest informed the Group that they were currently in the process of creating a one sheet document that could be unfolded and it will contain information on all the walks available at this year’s event. He also informed the group that Cowalfest were holding their AGM on Wednesday 24 June and a further update would be provided at the next meeting.

Discussion regarding potential agenda items for:

Outcome 1: The Economy is Diverse and Thriving

Outcome 5: People Live Active, Healthier and Independent Lives

The Area Governance Officer took the Group through the two outcomes that will be covered at the August Community Planning Group Agenda, and invited Members to discuss outcomes, any questions for the ACPG and suggest items for the agenda that are relevant to the outcomes.

It was previously agreed by the Group to add the following items onto the August ACPG Agenda:

·         Pedestrianisation of Argyll Street

·         Free WiFi – Dunoon Town Centre

It was agreed by the Group to add the following item to the November ACPG Agenda:

·         Promoting Cowal as an outdoor area – No Fuss Events to be invited to the Bute and Cowal Area CPG to talk about their cycling events and specifically why, following their research into the area, they feel that Cowal is an ideal venue for outdoor events.

The Group held a discussion surrounding items to be added for future ACPG meetings and would like the following considered:

·         Food from Argyll

·         Marine Environment

·         Sea Kayaking

·         Faith Tourism

Action

1.    Senior Area Committee Assistant to add the agreed items to the August Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group meeting for the Chair’s consideration.

2.    No Fuss events to be invited to the November ACPG meeting.

3.    To add a standing item on the Group’s agenda “Outdoor Activities” regarding promotion of Cowal as a venue for such with providers of activities in Cowal being invited to attend future meetings.  The outdoor theme for the next meeting would be Sea Kayaking and contact would be made with the Sea Kayaking Trial, through their website to ask for a representative to attend the October Forward Dunoon meeting.

Councillor Marshall asked the Group if they felt it would enhance the Group by bringing in new partner members.

The Area Governance officer informed the Group that the newly restructured Community Planning Group meetings have become successful with some partners now indicating their preference to feed directly into the CPG instead of going to partnership meetings.

Ailsa Cunningham informed the Group that there were currently plans for two outdoor cinema events to take place; one is proposed to be held in the stadium with the other to be in the Argyll Gardens.

Ailsa also updated the Group on a new Community Project Group that has been set up via Facebook. The Dunoon Regeneration Party are currently tackling small projects within the Dunoon Area and have submitted a letter of intent to take over the Rose Gardens to create a community focused usable space and to enhance the area in general.

Thursday 1^st October 2015, 10am, 22 Hill Street Dunoon.