Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from:-

Councillor Ellen Morton

Councillor Gary Mulvaney

Councillor James Robb

Ann Scott – Business Gateway

Nick Davies – Cove and Kilcreggan CC

Neil Black – Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

Jane McKenzie – Scottish Water

Group Commander Eddie Renfrew – Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service

Minute of Meeting 12 March 2013

The Minute of the Meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Communtiy Planning Group, 12 March 2013 was approved as a correct record.

Katie Burke, Scottish Youth Parliamentarian

Katie Burke provided the Group with a brief outline of her role as a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), as a local ambassador representing Lomond School and Hermitage Academy. The parliament comprises elected community representatives and representatives from voluntary organisations from across the whole of Scotland.  A minimum of three national meetings are held each year where various issues affecting young people are discussed and proposal for solutions to any problems are considered.

Katie also informed of the role of the Youth Forums and highlighted the forthcoming Argyll and Bute Youth Award scheme for which nominations are being currently invited. An email contact for Katie will be provided to the Group following the meeting.

The Chair thanked Katie for her informative presentation.

Action: Belinda Ruthven

Presentation and Report by Quality Improvement Officer

The Group was updated by Matthew Boyle, Quality Improvement Officer, on the progress being made within Education in Argyll and Bute.  Some discussion followed around the opportunities for work based skills which it was felt were more easily accessible in the more rural areas.  Mr Boyle said that he was confident that this was now changing and gave examples such as Duchess Wood.  Another concern was the issue of inclusion for those with special needs and Mr Boyle assured that there were many opportunities for those with complex needs to be supported in local primary and secondary schools in the area.

There were no issues raised by Community Councils

There were no issues raised by Third Sector Partners

·         Reform update

·         Spring Strategy

·         Hearing Impairment Referrals

Captain A Willis, Captain HMS Neptune and HMNB Clyde, introduced himself to the Group and provided a brief outline of his career and of how experiences in similar areas could be brought here.  He advised that the last update to the Group had been positive and that many opportunities in the local area through trade and employment could be anticipated. Local links have now been formed with Helensburgh Rugby Football and Cricket Club and plans are now in place for Armed Forces Day on 29^th June.  Captain Willis felt that the Programme was promoting a foundation of stability to the area and that he had been impressed by the high level on commitment to the military forces in the area. The Group was also informed that there had been recent meetings with the Chief Officers of local Councils and that funding was now being provided to local organisations through the Armed Forces Military Covenant Grant scheme.

Discussion was had around the possible benefits through direct/indirect spending to local businesses and Captain Willis agreed to take this back with a view to providing further details to a future meeting of the group.

Discussion and report on Joint Health Improvement Plan – Morevain Martin.

The Group was updated by Station Commander Tony Meechan, on the Reform Strategy and advised that the Senior Leadership Team had been meeting on a regular basis to keep abreast of the new workstream.  The Local Service Plan was being currently updated and that local needs continue to be met in relation to response and resilience.  The Spring Strategy which had focussed on secondary fires had seen no increase in figures despite the drier weather which in effect reflected a reduction in these types of fire. 

Tony advised that deaf alerters had now been purchased through match funding with NHS Highland and that referrals would now identify appropriate recipients for these.   The Group was also advised that following a meeting with Chief Inspector Gary Stitt - Police Scotland, it was hoped to start up a local Fire Safety Group, but that this was still in its infancy.

The Group was informed by Chief Inspector Gary Stitt that as anticipated, there had been no change to local service following the recent restructuring process.  Crime figures in the area were largely similar to those last year but there had been a reduction in anti social behaviour.  Chief Inspector Stitt expanded on the joint working approach with local businesses and highlighted the proposed introduction of Shopwatch, which was similar to the Pubwatch initiative. 

Locations of the Community Mobile Office are to be identified and publicised in local media over the next few weeks as this was very popular in the more rural areas.

The Group was advised that a five week closure of the Haul Road could be expected in the next month or two and that Pulpit Rock works on the A82 should have little effect. There had been only minor complaints received regarding the continuing CHORD works on the seafront.

An increased police presence can be expected in the summer following the implementation of the Drink Driving Campaign.

There were requests for officers to patrol the play area in Hermitage Park following the installation of new play equipment and Chief Inspector Stitt gave assurances that he would look into this.

Noted

As apologies had been intimated from Jane McKenzie, there was no update from Scottish Water.  However, Jane had indicated that if there were any urgent queries, she would be happy for these to be relayed to her in the meantime.

As no officer was present, no update was available from the Scottish Ambulance Service.

There was a request for information on First Responder service in the local area following proposals for the re-introduction of this.

Action: Mark Benton

Neil Sturrock, SPT, advised that he had little to update at this time.  There were requests that the bus stop at Maitland Street be moved to a position beside the relocated bus stop and also that a bus shelter be provided at the Princes Street, Hanover Street junction due to the many elderly residents who use this stop regularly.

Noted

Morevain Martin provided a brief review of the consultation process for the development of a Joint Health Improvement Plan for the period 2013 -2016 and advised that the period of the consultation had now been extended to 21^st June.  She encouraged all partners to complete the feedback forms and return these either on line, or to the Argyll Voluntary Action office at the earliest opportunity. 

In regards the allocation of health improvement funding, the group asked for clarification on the distribution criteria for the fund to ensure that the allocation for the Helensburgh and Lomond area is appropriate and commensurate with the area’s population profile.

Action: Morevain Martin

Highlight/Exception Report May 2013

The Group noted the contents of a report regarding the recent activities of the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee.

Noted

Helensburgh and Lomond Community Safety Forum, Highlight/Exception Report, May 2013

The Group noted the contents of a report which updated them on the items discussed at the recent meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Safety Forum on 17 May 2013.

Noted

Report by IOD Project Officer

The Group was briefed by Eileen Wilson, IOD Project Officer on the New Community Engagement Strategy.  Eileen advised the new strategy has more emphasis on co-production and engaging with communities and has been adopted as a more positive way of working. She advised that the Action Plan will be populated once the final SOA is in place and that feedback was welcomed.

Noted

Report  by the IOD Projects Officer

The Group was briefed on feedback following discussions that took place at the March round of Area Community Planning groups on the subject of the proposed autumn Area Community Planning Events.  Eileen advised that no additional funds were currently available and that partners would be asked to back these events through the provision of in kind support or through financial contribution. A questionnaire would be circulated to invite feedback following the meeting. The Group noted that the structure of the event would be provided at the September meeting to take forward.

Noted

Report by Head of Improvement and HR

Eileen Wilson, IOD Project Manager briefed the Group that following the approval by the Council of a draft Gaelic Language Plan for consultation in March 2013, views are now being sought on the draft plan prior to its submission in final format to Bòrd na Gàidhlig in July 2013.  There was some discussion around the document and a request was made for further information around signage.  The Area Governance Manager agreed to seek further clarification on this.

Action: Shirley MacLeod

Powerpoint Presentation, Development and Infrastructure Services

The Group was provided with a presentation by Sheila MacLean and Lorna Elliot on the Argyll and the Islands LEADER Programme for and of the preparatory work now underway through Scottish Government Consultation on SRDP 2014 -2020, which closes on 30 June 2013.

Examples of local recipients who have benefitted from LEADER funding included the Three Villages Hall, Three Lochs Way Improvement Project, and the Rosneath Peninsula West Community Action Plan.

There was some concern that Helensburgh town was not eligible for LEADER funding due to its population size but it was advised that this is currently being looked into.

Details contained within the Council’s draft submission were requested and Lorna agreed to email a copy of this upon receipt.

Action: Lorna Elliott