Agenda and minutes

Apologies  for absence were intimated from Councillor Elaine Robertson, Jane MacLeod, Mid Argyll Chamber of Commerce, Douglas Cowan, HIE  and Seonag Campbell.

None were received.

Economy Thematic CPP Group 29 November 2011

The Minutes of the Economy Thematic CPP Group meeting held on 29 November 2011 were approved as a correct record.

Partners provided information on work currently being undertaken in respect of the Economy Community Plan actions.

 

Argyll and Bute Council

 

Argyll and the Isles Strategiic Tourism Partnership (AISTP):

 

Ishabel Bremner advised of an event being held  in conjunction with AISTP on 1 March at Portavadie.  To date 140 delegates had confirmed their attendance. Many notable speakers were attending, 1 of which was the Chief Executive of Visit Scotland.

 

Renewables:

 

Ishabel reported that a lot of progress had been made to date.  Argyll College were implementing a new training facility at Lochgilphead for the development of engineering training.  She advised on a conference being held on 2 March.

 

Food for Argyll:

 

Ishabel informed the group that Fergus Younger had reported on an increase in the use of this brand.

 

Employability:

 

Ishabel stated that Argyll and Bute council were now working with the DWP to deliver the programme across the Highlands.

 

Business Gateway:

 

For the year 2011/12 to date, total business start-ups supported is 129, against an annual target of 135.  The start-ups supported for the year to date by area are broken down as follows:-

 

27 MAKI compared with an annual target of 26

33 OLI   compared with an annual target of 27

21 B & C compared with an annual target of 26; and

48 H & L compared with an annual target of 56

 

Event 2013

 

Robert Rollock advised of a forthcoming event being planned for May, 2013 to celebrate the 1450 annniversay of St Columba’s arrival in Scotland.  It would be held on Iona and Argyll and Bute Council were in discussions with Historic Scotland and various other partners to scope the services needed to host the event.

 

HIE

 

Sue Gledhill reported on the various issues and challenges faced by HIE and the development of a small working group to address these.  She envisged that completion of the Marine Science Park would be Autumn 2012.  The works were on target.

 

 

 

Argyll and Bute Social Enterprise Network (ABSEN)

 

Bill Stewart advised on the forthcoming event scheduled for 27 March, 2012.  ABSEN were at present overhauling their website and he reported on the addition of a new support worker in place.

 

CAL MAC

 

David Cannon reported on the public consultation exercise being conducted by the Scottish Government in regards to their Scottish Draft Ferries Plan.  He urged local communites to closely scrutinise the Draft plan and submit responses before the deadline.  At present, Cal Mac were compiling their own response. 

He addressed various problems and issues on the Gourock-Dunoon route and expanded on the action being taken to address these.  David reported on a meeting with Alec Neill to discuss the issue of scoping a bigger vessel on the Dunoon route. 

Performance statistics were readily available on the Cal Mac website.

 

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

 

Frances Webster provided a handout to the group detailing the various services provided by her organisation.  She reported the close working between community planning partners to provide local training opportunities.

Robert Pollock reported on a collaboration between lead partners and the Argyll and Bute Renewables Alliance (ABRA) in order to identify key priorities and produce a plan which would focus on collective outcomes.

 

 

 

 

Economy Thematic CPP Group Scorecard

Consideration was given to the contents of the Economy Thematic CPP Group scorecard and the EDAP 2011 Plan and Scorecard.

 

Decision

 

1.                  Noted the contents of the Scorecards.

2.                  Agreed to review the charts and include up-to-date data.

 

(Reference: Economy Thematic CPP Group Scorecard FQ3 2011/12, submitted)

 

 

Consideration was given to Economy Success Measures and Eileen Wilson stated the need to clarify targets and amend the wording adhering to Service Plans.  She advised that Robert Pollock, Ishabel Bremner, Sue Gledhill and herself were meeting directly after the Economy Thematic CCP to discuss this issue.

She requested that partners include any measures they wished as the deadline for change was today.  

 

Decision

 

1.                  Noted the contents of the report.

2.                  Agreed that Eileen Wilson would undertake changes to the Economy Success Measures on behalf of the group.

 

(Reference: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated 23 February 2012, tabled).    

Presentation by Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing and Communities Forum

The group were given a presentation detailing the impact of housing on the economy across Argyll and Bute.

 

Decision

 

Noted the content of the presentation by Donald MacVicar, Argyll and Bute Council  and Lesley McInnes, Chair of West Highland Housing Assocation detailing the challenges and constraints faced by local housing associations in the present economic downturn.  

Report by Social Enterprise Team, Argyll and Bute Council

Consideration was given to a report highlighting the work of the Argyll and Bute Local Services Initiative.

 

Decision

 

Noted the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report Argyll and Bute Social Enterprise Team, submitted)

Report by IT Infrastructure Services Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

Consideration was given to an update on the provision on broadband in rural areas.

 

Decision

 

1.         Noted the current status of the HIE BDUK Superfast Broadband Initiative and

the re-procurement of the Pathfinder North project.

2.         Agreed that a substantive update would come to the next meeting.

 

(Reference: Report by IT Infrastructure Services Manager dated 21 February 2012, submitted)

Report by Skills Development Scotland (to follow)

The group heard a presentation by Frances Webster, SDS detailing some of the positive outcomes of Modern Apprenticeships.  She detailed the ethos behind Modern Apprenticeships – these necessitated – motivated young person, supportive employer and a supprtive training programme.

 

Decision:

 

1.                  Noted the contents of the presentation.

2.                  Agreed that the Head of Economic Development would liaise with Frances Webster for further discussion on this issue.    

Consideration was given to a highlight and exception report provided by Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing and Communities Forum.

 

Decision

 

Noted the activity that was undertaken by Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing and Communities Forum during the period October – December 2011 and the key challenges and actions to be addressed in the future.

 

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing and Communities Forum dated 23 January 2012, submitted)

Consideration was given to a highlight and exception report provided by Argyll and the Islands LEADER Local Action Group.

 

Decision

 

Noted the activity that was undertaken Argyll and the Islands LEADER Local Action Group during the period 1 November 2011 – 29 February 2012 and the key challenges and actions to be addressed in the future.

 

(Reference: Report by Argyll Argyll and the Islands LEADER Local Action Group dated 17 February 2012, submitted)

Consideration was given to a highlight and exception report provided by Argyll and Bute Social Enterprise Network.

 

Decision

 

Noted the activity that was undertaken by Argyll and Bute Social Enterprise Network during the period December 2011 – February 2012 and the key challenges and actions to be addressed in the future.

 

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute Social Enterprise Network dated 17 February 2012, submitted)

Consideration was given to this issue and the future structure of the Thematic group.  Robert Pollock advised on better cross-representation and the inclusion of more private sector involvement.

 

 

Decision

 

1.         Agreed on further discussion with the Head of Governance and Law to address this issue.

The date of the next meeting would be advised.

 

The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and input at the meeting.