Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from:-

Councillor Maurice Corry

Councillor Vivien Dance

Councillor George Freeman

Councillor David Kinniburgh

Councillor Robert G MacIntyre

Councillor Aileen Morton

Councillor Ellen Morton

Councillor James Robb

Joanna Peebles, Scottish Water

Neil Black, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Linda Skrastin, NHS

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minute of the Meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group,  10 December 2013 was approved as a correct record. 

Sgt Jardine introduced himself to the group and advised that he was currently deputising for both Chief Inspector Stitt and Inspector Miller.  He advised of the new structure within Argyll and Bute, which consists of 2 command areas, one in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands, Oban, Lorn and the Isles, whose Area Commander will be Inspector Marlene Baillie and the other in South Argyll, Helensburgh and Lomond whose Area Commander will be Chief Inspector Stitt.

He advised that local policing plans will be presented to local Councillors and Community Councils by  the Area Commander in due course. 

Sgt Jardine advised that the statistics in respect of anti-social behaviour and disorder had decreased by 16% and 22% respectively.  He advised that the focus was now on Road Policing specifically targeting speeding, the use of mobile phones and seatbelts.  He outlined that the local media were covering this initiative.  Sgt Jardine outlined measures that were being taken to deter from anti-social behaviour such as midnight football. 

Sgt Jardine spoke of the positive results that were being seen in respect of drug trafficking and dealing.  Mr Tacchi enquired as to whether there was any evidence that drug related crime was on the increase.  Sgt Jardine advised that he did not have this statistic to hand, and advised that a freedom of information request could be submitted in order to obtain the information.  Councillor Mulvaney advised that there should be public statistics available over a set period of time in this regard.  The Area Governance Manager confirmed that she would request this information and circulate to partners.   

The group were updated by Group Commander Eddie Renfrew, who advised of the preparations being in put in place to educate in terms of the Muirburn Code, advising of the leaflets which had been distributed.  He advised of the 4 deliberate fire groups that had been set up in Helensburgh, Oban, Dunoon and Lochgilphead.

Mr Renfrew spoke about the referring process for Home Safety Visits and urged partners to pass on details of anyone who may require this service.  Mr Tacchi advised that he required a home visit and arranged to provide his details at the end of the meeting. 

Mr Renfrew advised that the consultation period for the new local fire plan was complete at the end of February, and the new plan for the period 2014 – 2017 was due out at the beginning of April, and would tie in with the objectives of the Single Outcome Agreement. 

Mr Renfrew further advised of the new local liaison officer, Alex Purdie who was now in post.  He advised that Mr Purdie would be contacting partners in the forthcoming weeks to establish contacts. 

As there was no representation, there was no update from the Scottish Ambulance Service. 

• Alcohol Paper by Craig Mcnally.

The group were given a short update by Craig McNally, Senior Health Promotion Specialist (Alcohol & Drugs).  Mr McNally advised that reducing population levels of alcohol consumption as a component of reducing alcohol-related harm is a key outcome of Scotland’s alcohol strategy.  He outlined the overall rate of hospitalisation associated with alcohol conditions amongst the intermediate geographies within the Argyll and Bute CHP. 

Mr McNally advised that the Helensburgh and Lomond Drug Partnership had no local Councillors on the membership and advised that by enlisting one it may be an opportunity to increase agendas in this regard.  Councillor Trail volunteered to fill this position and agreed to pass his details to Mr McNally at the conclusion of the meeting. 

The group agreed that the report provided by Mr McNally should be circulated to the Licensing Board by the Area Governance Assistant.  

The Chair thanked Mr McNally for the informative presentation. 

(Ref:  Report by Senior Health Promotion Specialist (Alcohol & Drugs), Argyll and Bute CHP, dated January 2014, submitted.)

As apologies had been intimated by Joanna Peebles, Regional Community Managerm Shirley MacLeod advised that an update fro Scottish Water would be available at the next meeting of the group in June 2014.  

The group were updated by Commander Riches on recent events within the MOD.  Commander Riches advised that 700 Unite workers had started a peaceful protest at the base.  He advised that Babcock had implemented an overtime ban with a work to rule action.  He advised that they cannot walk away from safety critical posts and that security at the base would not be compromised. 

Commander Riches advised of the Joint Warrior exercise which is due to take place between 30^th March and 14^th April.  He outlined the programme of events including the arrival of ships between 26^th and 28^th of March.  He further advised of the potential 2,000 extra sailors who would be on site during the exercise, but explained that there would be an additional 250 exercise staff on base to assist.

Commander Riches addressed the group in relation to the works carried out by the Armed Forces Community Covenant Awards Board.  He requested that partners advertise the works of the group to all within and outwith the Helensburgh area who may have military connections.  He explained that Morevain Martin of Argyll Voluntary Action could assist in providing guidance. 

Commander Riches advised that although there was nothing planned, as yet, on base to celebrate the Centenary of the  Commencement  of Hostilities ( 4^th August 2014), he was working jointly with Councillor Corry for the Commemoration event to be held on 20^th September 2014 in Inveraray Castle. 

The Chair thanked Commander Riches for the information provided. 

The Chair acknowledged the attendance of Neil Sturrock of SPT and invited him to provide an update.

Mr Sturrock provided the group with an update of recent works within SPT.  He advised that through the Capital Programme, SPT had provided £175,000 to the Cycleway through Cardross and were currently working towards a route through to Arden.  Mr Sturrock spoke of the New Capital Programme for the next financial year, which would see works for Argyll and Bute as a whole.  Mr Sturrock agreed to provide the programme of planned works to the Area Governance Assistant, who would disseminate to the group by email.  

The Chair thanked Mr Sturrock for his informative update.   

Update by Morevain Martin, Argyll Voluntary Action

Morevain Martin, Argyll Voluntary Action provided the group with an update in regards to the recent training and events within the area, the consultation currently being completed and the challenges faced by the Third Sector Forum.  Ms Martin outlined some good news items, such as Friends of Duchess Woods securing funding to deliver a walking play as part of the John Muir Event. 

The Chair thanked Ms Martin for her informative update.

(Ref:  Report by Argyll Voluntary Action, dated 11 March 2014, submitted.)

There were no issues raised by Community Councils, however Morevain Martin who is also a member of Rosneath Community Council updated the group with regards to the beach cleans organised around the Rosneath Peninsula by Tom Ward.  She advised that they had received help from the Payback Group and that the Council had provided a large skip. 

Ms Martin further advised of the WW1 Celebrations taking place around Kilcreggan, Rosneath and Garelochhead.  She advised that delegates are now in place to arrange celebrations with one possible idea being to host a memorabilia show using items found in peoples houses from the wartime era. 

The Chair thanked Ms Martin for the update.

Report by Community Development Officer

The group considered a report outlining the progress to date for the Area Forum Events. 

The group noted that the results from the events will feed into the development for the Single Outcome Agreement Delivery Plans and the forthcoming Argyll and Bute Population Summit and that a report providing fuller information would be provided to the group at the next meeting in June 2014.   

(Ref:  Report by Community Development Manager, dated 11 March 2014, submitted.)

Verbal update by Area Governance Manager

Shirley MacLeod updated the group in relation to the future meeting programme following agreement at the full Council meeting on 23^rd January 2014.  She confirmed that the future meetings of the Community Planning Group would be:

10^th June 2014;

9^th September 2014;

9^th December 2014; and

10^th March 2015

Report by Area Governance Manager

Shirley MacLeod updated the group in relation to recent activity undertaken by the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve.  

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Manager, Customer Services, dated March 2014, submitted.)

Report by Area Governance Manager

Shirley MacLeod provided the group with an update regarding the main pieces of work undertaken by the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Safety Forum.  

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Manager, Customer Services, dated March 2014, submitted.)