Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from:

Iain McNaughton, Sandbank Community Council

Sue Minns, Cowalfest

Forward Dunoon and Cowal 14 April 2016

The minute of the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group 14 April 2016 was approved as a correct record subject to a change at item 6. (c) of the minute.

Sandbank Church

Councillor Blair informed the Group that Sandbank Church is set to close and a plan is currently being put in place to apply for grant funding to purchase the building and, inconjunction with the Faith Tourism project, create a heritage centrewhich will have a link to the former US Naval base that was previously situated on the Holy Loch. It is hoped that this project will be branded as Holy Loch destination and will help bring tourism to the area.

Crazy Golf

Councillor Breslin informed the Group that the details of the Crazy Golf lease had not yet been made available to him and noted disappointment at the lack of feedback regarding the issues previously raised

Action

Community Governance Manager to raise the crazy golf issue in regards to lack of feedback with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services and report back to the Forum.

Verbal update by Iain Hurrell

Iain Hurrell gave an update on the two APPS for Argyll initiatives. He advised  the meeting that he had met with  Visit Scotland. However, he  reported that the APPs are still not on the Visit Scotland website due to various issues raised by Visit Scotland. It was noted that Apps for Argyll  are currently waiting for another meeting to be set up with Visit Scotland and The Scottish Government but to date have had no correspondence regarding potential dates.

Actions

1.    Community Governance Manager was asked  to seek the advice of  the Economic Growth Manager regarding  the best way to support the inclusion of the APPs  onto the Visit Scotland website.

2.    Community Governance Manager to enquire as to how the APPs can be promoted through the Argyll and Bute Councils business section of the Website.

Verbal update by David Robertson

Councillor Marshall asked David Robertson from the Forestry Commission if anything could be done in regards to widening the car parking facilities at the Crochan forestry track and also if there was any scope for putting in a mini velodrome(Pump Track) for child cyclists to use.

David Robertson informed the Group that he was willing to explore options and that the Forestry Commission was willing to work alongside other groups to try and implement changes that have been requested. This would require funding which the Forestry Commission currently don’t have available  however, it was  possible that  the Dunoon Cycling Mountain Group would be able to access other funding sources not open to The Forestry Commission..

The Group held a discussion around the lack of facilities currently available to cyclists visiting the area and if anything could be done to improve the situation, a suggestion from the Group was to create a bike cleaning facility.

Actions

1.    Colin Moulson will speak to Dougie Fletcher to see whether the Dunoon Cycle Mountain Group is eligible to access grant funding.

2.    Councillor Marshall to raise this item with the local MSP and appropriate Minister.

3.    Community Governance Manager to seek advice from the Economic Growth Manager on the appropriate next steps for this item.

4.    Economic Growth Officer  to feedback ideas generated by the Group to Seniors Officers.

No items of business raised.

Verbal update by Economic Growth Officer

The Economic Growth Officer provided the Forum with an update on the economic situation in regards to tourism for the Cowal area.

The following points were noted:

·         At a local level they are currently working with Castle House Museum and the Cowal Way by providing them with PR contacts.

·         Also currently working with Kilmun Mausoleum, the Burgh Hall and the Argyll Sea Cat.

·         It was noted that work was on-going surrounding collating statistics around the 1400 second homes in Bute and Cowal and what steps could be put in place to use this situation to boost the local economy.

·         Currently looking at a possible broadband link to allow live streaming for this year’s Cowal Games event.

A discussion was held by the Forum on the difficulties faced by people trying to start up businesses in the local area.

Actions

1.    Economic Growth Officer to arrange a meeting with Argyll Holidays.

Economic Growth Officer to raise the issues surrounding start-up companies in the local area with HIE.

Verbal update by HELP Manager.

Jim Moir from the HELP Project provided the Forum with an update on an environmental project that HELP are currently undertaking in Moir Street, Dunoon.

The Group were taken through a series of pictures highlighting the work that had been carried out on the site and it was noted that this project is now completed with the only outstanding action being to decide on a suitable wood carving that will be located on the site.

Actions

1.    Helen Dick to liaise with HELP project re supply of plants for the site.

2.    HELP to speak to Amenity services regarding future potential sites. An area of ground between Shaws building Yard and Stewarts Garage was identified as one potential site.

3.    Community Governance Manager to enquire about the protocol for community groups who wished to use the Forward for Dunoon crest.

4.    Forestry Commission will be able to provide additional materials for the wood carving if required.

Verbal update by Cowal Marketing Group.

Catrina Craig from Cowal Marketing Group informed the Group that the Cowal Marketing Group AGM had taken place in May and it had been a very positive meeting with new members joining the group.

It was also noted that an open meeting for Cowal Marketing Group Members was being held on Tuesday the 20^th June in the Dunoon Timber Pier building.

Verbal update by PA23BID Manager.

Colin Moulson provided the Forum with the following verbal update:

·         It was noted that moving forward PA23 BID should be known now as Dunoon Presents.

·         The project has just completed its third year of a five year term.

·         Dunoon Presents are now looking at their events strategy to attract national bids for events to be held in the Cowal Area.

·         Events planned for 2016/2017 include – Scottish Enduro event, Scottish Rally championship, Cowal peninsula sportif, Dunoon music revival weekend, half marathon event.

·         A meeting is scheduled in July between Dunoon Presents and the local businesses to discuss the possibility of mobilising the business community for scheduled events.

·         Dunoon presents currently have a video highlighting the mountain biking events in the area which is available via their website and facebook page.

·         A newsletter is also available via the Dunoon Presents website.

Actions

1.    Colin Moulson to talk to Cowalfest re their links to biking on the Canary Islands.

2.    Colin Moulson to look at putting a link on the Dunoon Presents website to the Visit Cowal website.

Verbal update by Cowalfest Manager.

Sue Minns from Cowalfest had submitted apologies to the meeting, therefore no update from Cowalfest was provided.

Councillor Blair informed the Group that the lease which will allow the Kelpie Maquettes to come to Dunoon is just waiting approval from the  Head of Service.

Helen Dick provided the Forum with the following verbal update:

·         AITC held a meeting with Cowal Marketing Group, Argyll Secret Coast and Visit Bute which was deemed a positive meeting.

·         A current survey had been circulated and with the help of Dunoon presents it reached a large number of organisations and individuals and a reasonable number of responses were returned.

·         The funding application for Kirn Primary had been successful and jointly with Dunoon Grammar school they received five thousand pounds. This funding will go towards creating a Food Trail from Innellan to Blairmore, the project will also be assisted by West Coast motors and Benmore Café.

·         Mark Beumont will be promoting adventure tourism in the Argyll and Bute area in July and the ten day trip with a camera crew will include a day and overnight stop in Cowal

Discussion regarding potential agenda items for:

Outcome 2: We Have Infrastructure that Supports Sustainable Growth.

Outcome 6: People Live in Safer and Stronger Communities.

The Community Governance Officer invited the Group to email her if they had any items under outcomes 2 or 6 that they would like included onto the agenda for  the August meeting.

No further items of business were raised.

The next Forward Dunoon and Cowal meeting will be held on Thursday 13th October 2016, 10am, 22 Hill Street, Dunoon.

Date of Next Meeting

The next Forward Dunoon and Cowal meeting will be held on Thursday 13^th October 2016, 10am, 22 Hill Street, Dunoon.