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 James Robb

Audrey Baird, Community Development Officer

Joanna Peebles, Scottish Water

Neil Black, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Jo Wright, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

There were no declarations of interest.  

Due to the other commitments of Partners, it was agreed that agenda items 9(a) (Police Scotland) and item 12 (Update on Community Planning Partnership Engagement Events) be taken next. 

Chief Inspector Stitt provided an update with regard to the Local Policing Plan, which he advised had now been approved through scrutiny and was in place for the next three years.  He outlined a number of local priorities, with road safety, anti-social behaviour and drug dealing being among many.  Chief Inspector Stitt updated the group in regards to other issues such as house break-ins, which he confirmed had seen a slight increase, particularly in Lomond South.  He advised that a team had been identified from the Glasgow area as possible culprits and to date three out of the four team members were locked up awaiting trial. 

Chief Inspector Stitt outlined the busy summer period ahead for Police Scotland with additional resources being put in place for National events such as the Commonwealth Games; the Ryder Cup and the Scottish Referendum.  He outlined the local events such as Highland Games and the forthcoming Orange March which would also require to be resourced. 

Discussion took place in regards to knife crime and stop and search for children, which had recently been in the news.  Chief Inspector Stitt advised that knife crime was not an issue within the area and that he was unaware of any stop and search on children of primary school age.  He advised that a “Right People, Right Place, Right Time” approach was used in this regard, and that the reasons for conducting these type of searches was generally for detection of anti-social behaviour, drink, drugs and dangerous weapons. 

The Chair thanked Chief Inspector Stitt for the information provided. 

Report by Community Development Officer

The group considered a report advising of the data gathered at the Area Forum events as part of the engagement on the Single Outcome Agreement 2013-23.  Liz Marion, Community Development Officer advised that in terms of Outcome 5 – People live active, healthier and independent lives, partners required to consider appropriate actions, to be taken forward at area level.  Ms Marion highlighted the link to the full report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/goodplacetoliveworkandplay.

The Chair thanked Ms Marion for the information provided. 

(Ref:  Report by Community Development Manager, dated 10 June 2014, submitted.)

The Minute of the Meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group, 11 March 2014 was approved as a correct record, subject to the spelling correction in item 4(d) NHS Highland, where the sentence should read “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.”

It was also noted at Page 4 that the WW1 Commemoration event scheduled for 20^th September would be held in Oban and not Inverary.

Report by Area Governance Officer

The group noted the report which outlined recent activity by the Committee.  

Councillor Morton enquired as to whether the issue in relation to the planning permission in respect of the Notice Boards had been resolved.  Tricia O’Neill confirmed that she would look into the matter and feed the information back to the group.  

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

Report by Sustainable Development Manager

In the absence of both Neil Black and Jo Wight, the group considered a short report in regards to the main issues report, local development plan, National Park elections, Built Heritage Repair Grant and Visitor Management.

(Ref:  Report by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority (NPA), dated 10 June 2014, submitted.)

Update by Commander Riches

 The group were updated by Commander Riches on recent events within the MOD. 

Commander Riches confirmed that the World War 1 Commemoration event had moved from Inverary Castle to Oban and that a parade and drumhead service would take place on 20^th September 2014.

Commander Riches advised that the Community Centre in Churchill Estate had recently secured £500,000 to aid refurbishment, allowing another 10 years of life.  He advised that further funding was still required for this project.  Commander Riches confirmed that the work within the service family accommodation was still ongoing with a £15 million refurbishment recently being completed in Churchill. 

Commander Riches highlighted the issues currently faced by the Royal Navy in terms of man-power.  He advised that with additional submarines at the base, they had found that they manpower resourcing issues in ensuring cover and that the 3,000 plus military personnel were taken up with maintaining the status quo.  He requested that should military personnel be required to attend local events such as Highland Games etc, at least three months notice would be required.  He advised of the Ceremonial Team who were currently in place touring the UK as part of the Commonwealth Committee. 

Commander Riches addressed the group in relation to the good news received from the Armed Forces Community Covenant in that the three applications for funding had been successful at Scottish Regional Board level with Campbeltown Heritage Centre receiving £20,200; Helensburgh Playpark Association £26,000, which was £6,000 more than applied for and Gareloch Riding for the Disabled which had received £10,000. 

The Chair thanked Commander Riches for the information provided. 

Verbal update by Joanna Peebles

As apologies had been intimated by Joanna Peebles, Regional Community Manager, Tricia O’Neill updated the group in relation to works at East King Street.  She advised that conclusion was imminent and that Councillor Dance would be happy to discuss this matter, should anyone require. 

The Chair advised that any other issues for Scottish Water could be sent directly to Joanna Peebles at joanna.peebles@scottishwater.co.uk.

Verbal update by Neil Sturrock

 As there was no representation, there was no update from SPT. 

Report by Quality Standards Manager

The group considered a report providing information on how the Education Service performs and highlighting many of the developments currently taking place within the service and recognising the considerable work undertaken by staff, pupils, parents and the wider community. 

(Ref: Report by Quality Improvement Officer, Community Services, submitted.)

Having noted that both Fiona Hunter and Regan Johnstone were in attendance, the Chair invited them to update the group with regard to the new service which they were now offering.

Fiona Punter and Regan Johnstone addressed the group regarding the new service which they were offering in partnership with the Health Visitors based in the Victoria Hospital.  They advised that the service was still in its infancy, having only started 4 months ago.  They outlined their remit advising that they dealt mainly with families who had children between the ages of 0 and 5, and were “just coping” advising that it was early prevention rather than fire fighting.  They spoke of the flexible service offering parenting programmes with an opt-in, opt-out option. 

Discussion ensued in regards to the funding, with it being established that funding had been secured until 2015, but that work was ongoing to look into sustainability and the possibility of securing past this date. 

The Chair thanked both Ms Punter and Ms Johnston for the information provided.  

An update on Food and Healthy Weight – Carol Muir

The group considered a paper outlining the difficulties faced by the public in general in regards to overweight and obesity.  It outlined the challenges faced by NHS Highland when trying to tackle the problem.  Jackie Barron addressed the group with regard to partnership working and how partners could work together to promote healthy eating and physical activity.  

It was agreed that the points raised within the report on Healthy Weight should be integrated into the local plan for the CPP.

The Chair thanked Ms Barron for the infomative presentation. 

(Ref:  Report by Senior Health Promotion Specialist, Argyll and Bute CHP, dated May 2014, submitted.)

Update by Morevain Martin

Morevain Martin provided an update in regards to the recent training and events within the area.  She advised of an event which was to be held in the Kirkmichael Centre on the 15^th of August dealing with Mental Health, the effects of benefit changes for cancer sufferers and what the Citizens Advice Bureau can provide in a crisis.  She also outlined the meetings scheduled to take place on 23^rd and 27^th June regarding the placing of a Food Bank within the area. 

The Chair thanked Ms Martin for her informative update. 

The group were given an update by Group Commander Eddie Renfrew, who advised of the referring process for Home Safety Visits and again, requested that Partners pass on details of anyone who may require this service.  

Mr Renfrew advised that the new fire plan for 2014/2017 had now been endorsed. 

Mr Renfrew advised that there had been a decrease in the number of calls to deliberate fires.  He advised that this was in relation to both the primary and secondary matters.  Primary being homes and property and secondary being outdoors, e.g. grass fires.  He spoke of Road Traffic Accidents and advised that there had only been two in the Helensburgh and Lomond area since the 1^st of April.  He advised that there had been an increase in false alarms, he advised that this was mainly due to fire alarm systems requiring regular maintenance. 

Mr Renfrew advised of the Community Engagement Team, which was now up and running and advised that the engagement with other agencies was now bearing fruit.  Mr Renfrew advised that he would forward the email address for the Community Engagement Team to Lynsey Innis, Area Governance Assistant for dissemination to the group. 

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

Tricia O’Neill advised the group that the Forum had not met since that last meeting of the Community Planning Group, and advised that they were scheduled to meet on Tuesday 17^th June 2014.  She advised that a highlight report would be provided at the next meeting of the group. 

Morevain Martin, Argyll Voluntary Action advised the group that Waverley Court residents had recently secured funding which was used to purchase IT facilities and training.  She also advised of the Kirkmichael Gala on the 19^th of July, where there were still stalls available for booking and she suggested that Partners may wish to do this as a way of advertising.   

Tony Davey of Cardross Community Council advised the group of the annual grant enhancement of £203, which had recently been received.  He advised that the beach clean had also been successful, with the village receiving a silver medal for the Village in Bloom. 

Mr Davey advised of the Commemorative Service which was scheduled to take place on 3^rd of August marking the 100 year Commencement of Hostilities, and advised that this was to be funded locally. 

There was no further business discussed.

The next meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group will take place on Tuesday 9^th September 2014 at 2.00pm within the Pillar Hall, Helensburgh.

The next meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group will take place on Tuesday 9^th September 2014 at 2.00pm within the Pillar Hall, Victoria Halls, Helensburgh.