Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from :-

Councillor James Robb

David McCaughey – Strathclyde Fire and Rescue

Viv Smith – NHS

Morevain Martin – Senior Development Officer

George Watt – Chamber of Commerce

Tony Davey – Cardross Community Council

Nigel Millar – Helensburgh Community Council

There were no Declarations of Interest

The Minute of Meeting 17 April was approved as a correct record.

The Group was briefed on a report previously distributed by Morevain Martin, Senior Development Officer, on the Better Community Engagement event which had been held on 4^th August and was asked for feedback and considerations on the terms, details  and findings contained in the distributed report.

Decision

1. Agreed to provide feedback to the Senior Development Officer on points raised during discussions.

2. Agreed that discussion of this item is continued to November meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group where points raised will be addressed by the Senior Development Officer.

(Ref: Report by Senior Development Officer, distributed)

The Group was given a presentation by Lynda Thomson, Organisational Development Manager on the outcome and recommendations received from the Self Assessment Exercise which had commenced in March 2011.  The key messages at both a local and at a strategic levels were discussed.

Decision

Following discussion, it was agreed that the following points should be considered.

1. Presentation should be more evidence based.

2. Noted that the group does not have ‘decision-making’ powers.

3. It was suggested that a revised format for meetings with partner organisations being rota’d to take a lead at designated meetings and provide briefings and updates to these.  Other standing items would be area performance information and community feedback.

4. More feedback should be provided following community events in order that tangible evidence of progress or lack of such is evidenced.

5. Common goals should be established.

6. That other Area Community Partnerships are looked at to ascertain what works in those areas.

7. That a ‘plain English’ approach is taken at meetings.

The Group was provided with an update by Charles Reppke, on the current situation regarding the Maritime Change Programme, and was informed that Scottish Enterprise, West Dunbartonshire Council and Argyll and Bute Council had recently come together to engage with the MOD to discuss what opportunities would come to the area as a result of the programme.  Fergus Murray continues to liaise with MOD on key issues and Mr Reppke advised that a long term approach should be looked at for any potential gains to the area.

It is hoped that a date for members to visit the base to see the facilities will be confirmed in the very near future. 

Decision

To note the verbal update by the Head of Governance and Law.

The group was briefed by Gillian Barclay – Argyll Voluntary Action, on recent events within the Third Sector Partnership that had resulted in Scottish Government temporarily withholding all funding to the Partnership.  She indicated that it was hoped that following the expulsion of Bute Community Links from the Partnership the issue would be resolved and that funding would then be forthcoming.  If successful, Ms Barclay informed that it was hoped that AVA would accordingly open a money clinic in Helensburgh as there was a lack of such facilities in the area.  This clinic would advise on such matters as fuel poverty, access to benefits and debt advice.

Decision

Agreed to note the update by the Third Sector Partnership.

The Group was briefed on a paper by the Area Governance Manager which contained information on the recent Community Council By-Elections

Decision

Agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 20 August 2011, submitted)