Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from:

Iain McNaughton, Sandbank Community Council

Derek Matthews, Technical Officer

Forward Dunoon and Cowal 16 June 2016

The minute of the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group 16 June 2016 was approved as a correct record.

Actions

1. Councillor Michael Breslin advised the group that he has not yet  received a response to the Crazy Golf query and requested that issues surrounding the crazy golf be put onto the Members Casebook system
2. Councillor Michael Breslin requested a statistical breakdown of the number of houses used for holiday lets and the number of houses classed as second homes in the Bute and Cowal Area.  The Community Governance Manager agreed to forward this request to the Economic Growth Officer.

No items were raised.

Verbal update by Councillor Bruce Marshall.

Councillor Bruce Marshall provided the Group with an update on the progression of enlarging the Car Park on the forestry road that runs behind Crochan Road, Dunoon. He reported that there is initial agreement for the proposal to be taken forward and will provide a future update when available.

The Bute and Cowal Development Officer reported that she will be involved in the project to assist where required.

Verbal update by HELP Manager.

Jim Moir from the HELP Project provided the Forum with an update on environmental projects that HELP are currently undertaking and included a landscaped section behind Dunoon swimming pool which is completed and an area of ground in Auchamore road which is currently underway.

He also informed the Group that HELP have three new employees on a current six month contract who are aged between 18 and 20 and they will be working on the environmental projects.

Councillor Bruce Marshall intimated appreciation to the HELP Project for the work undertaken in the Cowal area.

Actions

1. Councillor Michael Breslin will enquire about ownership of an area of ground at Dixon Avenue with the legal department.
2. It was noted that clarification regarding  the ownership of the piece of land between Valrose Terrace and Dunoon Cemetery was on-going
3. Amenity Performance Manager suggested two areas that could be potential projects for HELP – the area surrounding the Town Clock in Sandbank and an area of ground behind Innellan War Memorial.

Verbal update by Cowal Marketing Group.

Helen Dick on behalf of Cowal Marketing Group and Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative provided the following update:

Cowal Marketing Group

• The new website is still in development and will be going live soon.
• Partnership working currently being undertaken by Cowal Marketing Group and Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative.
• Cowal Marketing Group now has two hundred new email contacts to distribute promotional material to.

Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative

• A digital tourism awareness session will be held for local businesses in the Braes, Dunoon on the 8^th November with a series of courses and workshops being planned to provide further information and training after the event.
• The Food for Thought Project being run by pupils of Kirn Primary and Dunoon Grammar School is encouraging local businesses to take part in the food trail.
• A familiarisation trip had been arranged to allow people from Bute and the north end of Cowal to visit central Cowal and receive information on the recent activities in the area.
• The television programme featuring Mark Beaumont and areas of Argyll and Bute will launch in Glasgow in January 2017.
• The HIE tourism awards have sixteen finalists from Argyll.

A discussion was held regarding a potential increase in visitors from India and China to the area and whether this visitor segment would have particular needs that need to be taken into consideration. . Helen informed the Group that this currently has not been investigated but could be looked at in the future if required.

Action

Colin Moulson to look at fixing the link to the off road biking video and re-circulating it to the members of the Group.

Verbal update by PA23BID Manager.

Colin Moulson provided the Forum with the following verbal update:

• Dunoon Presents are currently three and a half years into a five year term.
• A revision of the business plan to make it more event focused seems to be working well.
• Two recent events were very successful – the Enduro Mountain Biking event that was held in September and the Ultra Marathon that was held in October.
• Colin informed the Group that these events were starting to have a positive economic impact and identity to the area.
• Events for 2017 include – a Scottish Rally Championship leg on the 24^th June 2017and the continuation of the revival music festival. Potential events for 2017 are a triathlon and a Vespa Club UK Rally.

Actions

1. Councillor Bruce Marshall to provide contact details to Colin for the Harley Davidson motorcycle group to see if he can assist them in coming to Dunoon in 2017.
2. Councillor Michael Breslin will check with the legal department regarding the timeframes for the vote on the next five year term of the BID.
3. Colin Moulson to check Argyll College’s membership status of the BID.

Verbal update by Cowalfest Manager.

Councillor Bruce Marshall provided the Group with an update the Kelpie Maquettes which are currently situated on Dunoon Pier. This had been organised by Cowalfest and is proving to be a popular attraction.

It was noted that events organised by Cowalfest are economically beneficial to the local area.

The Group intimated that Paul Lambert, Harbourmaster for Dunoon Pier has been exceptional with his help in organising the events at the pier.

Action

Councillor Michael Breslin requested that the loss of rock armour at the southerly side of the breakwater be recorded on the Members Casebook

Discussion regarding potential agenda items for:

Outcome 3: Education, Skills and Training Maximises Opportunities for All.

Outcome 4: Children and Young People Have the Best Possible Start.

The Community Governance Officer informed the Group that the agenda was for noting.

Amenity Services Update

The Amenity Performance Manager provided the following update:

• Three weekly bin collections currently underway in Bute and will go live in Cowal week commencing the 28^th November 2016.
• Currently undertaking general maintenance and tidying of areas.

A discussion was held by the Group regarding the impact of budget cuts and how this could be managed moving forward.

Historic Kilmun

The Bute and Cowal Development Officer informed the Group that Historic Kilmun have formed an action group and that she is currently helping them to develop an action plan and identify what available resources and support can be put in place to help them develop the business plan.

Dunoon Charette

The Bute and Cowal Development officer informed the Group that an application has been submitted to the Scottish Government for the Dunoon area and they will find out if the application has been successful on Friday the 14^th of October. The Bute and Cowal Development Officer will inform the Group of the outcome.

The next Forward Dunoon and Cowal meeting is still to be arranged.

Date of Next Meeting

The next Forward Dunoon and Cowal meeting is still to be arranged.