Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from:-

Councillor Maurice Corry

Councillor Vivien Dance

Councillor David Kinniburgh

Councillor Aileen Morton

Councillor Ellen Morton

Councillor Robert G MacIntyre

Councillor Gary Mulvaney

Councillor James Robb

Linda Skrastin – NHS

Inspector Claire Miller – Strathclyde Police

The minute of meeting 11 December was approved as a correct record. Members were asked to note that Nick Davies felt that his wish to convey that local communities were responsible for their own outcomes, had not been accurately reflected in the minute.

The minute of meeting 15 January was approved as a correct record.

John Tacchi, Helensburgh CC enquired as to whether there had been a response to his request regarding the Community Plan, and the Area Governance Manager read out the information received from Morag Brown which advised as follows:-

The Community Emergency Plan template was created by Argyll and Bute Council, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, NHS Highland, Argyll Voluntary Action, British Red Cross, WRVS, Scottish Government, HM Coastguard, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy with a view to enable communities to be more resilient whilst waiting for the emergency services or council to attend to an incident by assisting with low risk activities. The plan was never designed to replace the professional responders and community councils should be assured of this.

It is disappointing that of the 8 community councils in the Helensburgh and Lomond Area, only one is creating a plan. It is also disappointing that one who did appear to be interested and keen to apply for funding, changed their mind after hearing the views of the caucus. Other areas of Argyll and Bute have been much more positive about creating community emergency plans, with 11 out of the 16 community councils in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area working towards one.

We fully appreciate the concerns that Helensburgh have about the size of the area they would need to cover but that has been accommodated in other areas where community councils cover vast distances by breaking down their area into smaller, manageable chunks.

The road show in Dunoon was not well attended; however the one in Oban was successful with many community councils from the OLI area attending. We appreciate that many community councillors are volunteers who work during the day which may be one reason why the Dunoon event was not so well attended.

Support is still available to Community Councils should they require it and we would encourage all community councils in the Helensburgh and Lomond area to rethink their decision. Draft plans are available should any community council wish to view one. Argyll Voluntary Action has offered to come along to any community council meeting to discuss further and they continue to offer this support.

Presentation by Alastair MacGregor, Chief Executive ACHA

The Group was provided with an informative update by Alastair McGregor, Chief Executive, Argyll Community Housing Association,  on ACHA’s current and ongoing investment programme to improve their properties in Helensburgh and Lomond in order to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.  The Group was also briefed on the numerous ongoing initiatives in the local area.  The shortage of one bedroomed homes was highlighted as a potential issue with the forthcoming introduction of the Under-Occupancy Tax.

A copy of the presentation will be distributed following the meeting.

Nick Davies, Cove and Kilcreggan CC, enquired as to the policy of presence of community councillors at meetings.  He was advised that the agenda is distributed to Secretaries of all eight Community Councils and that they had all recently received correspondence reminding them of the benefits of attendance.

John Tacchi, Helensburgh CC, felt that the CPG agenda did not coincide well with meetings of Helensburgh CC and felt that there was a lack of determination on the CPGs’ part and that the results from the Forum events were not well replicated on agendas for CPG meetings. It was suggested that some copies of agendas from other areas could be forwarded to Mr Tacchi in order that he might have an idea how the CPG is utilised there. It was noted that these are also available on the Council website.

Tony Davey, Cardross CC, confirmed that there were continual requests for input and that there was ample opportunities for submissions to the agenda and he felt that there was a lack of will to participate from some sections. 

CaptainJack Tarr suggested that Community Councillors should be reminded that issues than were unable to be resolved at CC meetings could potentially be raised at the CPGs and this was confirmed by the Area Governance Manager.

Action: Belinda Ruthven

There were no issues raised by the Third Sector.

The Group was provided with an informative update by Group Commander Eddie Renfrew, on the Fire & Rescue Service Priorities and Objectives in
Argyll & Bute and how SFRS propose to deliver these.

Group Commander Renfrew also explained how those priorities and objectives are expected to contribute to the delivery of any other relevant local outcomes which are identified by community planning.

Group Commander Renfrew also informed the Group that as a result of contact made with Elaine Garman at the December meeting, SFR had now received match funding for deaf alerter systems and that they had now received sets which link to strobe units providing a sensory alert.

A copy of Commander Renfrew’s presentation will be distributed to the Group following the meeting.

Action: Belinda Ruthven

Area Commander Gary Stitt, updated the Group on the current progress of the formation of the National Force which as from 1^st April would be known as ‘Police Scotland’.  He outlined the senior management structure and gave assurance that at a local level, it would be business as usual and that community policing would remain the primary focus.

He advised that the local policing plan was almost complete and would be issued by 1^st April.  

Positive feedback was received from the community councillors who were present and they noted their appreciation for the continuing presence of officers at their meetings.  They were also in agreement that the visible presence of these officer offered peace of mind to many of their vulnerable and elderly residents.

Commander Stitt informed that there had been an overall increased presence during Operation Myriad but assured that this resource was available at all times when necessary.  Positive feedback has also resulted from consultation over the beat police in the town centre and the crime figures appeared to reflect this.

Captain Jack Tarr informed the Group that construction of the next wave of accommodation is due to commence in July and that some staff will be transferred to HMNB Clyde this year.  He noted that there was no fundamental changes to the programme to report at the current time.

The Community Covenant Grants, which form part of a trilateral agreement,had proved successful for Rhu and Shandon Gala despite fierce competition, who have secured funding through this for the purchase of marquees. The second round of grants is now in progress and feedback will be provided where possible.

Exercise Joint Warrior is coming up shortly and there will be 25 units visiting HMNB Clyde with approximately two hundred additional staff will be on the base throughout.

Report by Eileen Wilson, Community Planning Manager

Eileen Wilson, Community Planning Manager, advised the Group that, following the end of the current Community Plan/SOA in March 2013, their comments and feedback would be welcomed on the latest draft of Argyll and Bute’s new Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) 2013 – 2023. 

The Group noted:-

·         the draft outcomes for 2013 – 23

·         that elected Members will have the opportunity to comment on the draft outcomes at the Council meeting scheduled for the 21^st March 2013

·         that a final draft of the SOA will be presented for approval by the Full Partnership on 27^th March 2013.

(Ref: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated March 2013, submitted)

The Group was asked to consider the decision made in September 2012 to hold an Area Forum event, and to finalise the Group’s intentions with regard to the event. Eileen Wilson asked the group for their suggestions as to what form this event should take.  Following discussion, it was suggested that a working party be formed to take this forward and Morevain Martin, John Tacchi, Eileen and one person to be identified from the Community Learning and Development Team  duly volunteered to set this up and to report on progress to the June meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond CPG.. 

(Ref: Report by the Community Planning Manager, dated 5 March 2013, submitted)

This report will be circulated following meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Community Safety Partnership on Friday 22 February.

The Group was updated in a report  by the Area Governance Officer, on some of the recent activities undertaken by the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Safety Partnership and also on those proposed in the near future.

Some concerns were raised by the lack of white lines on roads following repairs and the Area Governance Manager explained that there had been difficulties in securing the line painting plant but that these concerns would be raised with Roads and Amenities.

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Officer, dated March 2013, submitted)

The Group was informed that in order that the current Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils and Best Practice Agreement, which is due to be reviewed this year, continues to be fit for purpose, a Short Life Working Group (SLWG) has been established by the council.  This Group will oversee the process of review which will involve a two phase consultation with stakeholders to ensure full engagement and consultation.

The meeting for Helensburgh and Lomond will take place in the marriage room on the evening of Monday 18^th March to which all community councillors have been invited. Any feedback will be reviewed to ascertain whether any revision to the documents is appropriate.

Comments were noted about the clashing of the scheduled meeting with pre-planned Community Council meetings in the Helensburgh and Lomond area, and the group otherwise noted the terms of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 20 February 2013, submitted)