Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from:-

Councillor Vivien Dance

Councillor Ellen Morton

Councillor James Robb

Councillor Richard Trail

Chief Inspector Gary Stitt

Inspector Claire Miller

Group Commander Ian Riches

Councillor Aileen Morton declared a non-financial interest as Chair of the Duchess Woods Committee in relation to Item 5a Duchess Woods Local Nature Reserve Committee highlight/exception report and Mr John Tacchi declared a non-financial interest in relation to Item 6c Amenity Services – Community Consultation.

Due to the other commitments of Partners, it was agreed that Agenda Item 9 (a) Police Scotland would be taken first.

The Chair announced to the group that Group Commander Eddie Renfrew, Scottish Fire and Rescue had retired.  He wished it noted in the Minute the excellent service provision and attendance at CPG meetings undertaken by Group Commander Renfrew.  The Chair proposed that a letter of thanks and recognition be sent on behalf of the Helensburgh and Lomond CPG and this was unanimously agreed.

Decision:

The Community Governance Manager would write a letter of thanks to Group Commander Renfrew.

The Minute of the Meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group, 10 June 2014 was approved as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:-

Page 6, Item 13 – Items Raised by Community Councils

Mr Davey advised of an Ecumenical Service which had been scheduled to take place on 3 August marking the 100 year marking the 100 year Commencement of Hostilities and on the 4 August there had been  an Act of Commemoration.

Sergeant Jim Reid provided a short update to the group in regards the public consultation on Multi-Member Ward plan. He reported that the mobile police van was back in the area and this information had been disseminated to the public by the local media.

He continued that the Road Policing unit had been restructured and the number of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) had fallen. The meetings of the Multi-Agency Road Safety group were scheduled every 3 months and proving successful.

Sergeant Reid informed the group that the Public Procession of the County Grand Lodge of Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Argyll passed without incident.  There were 25 fixed penalties issued for drinking and urinating during the course of the day and 3 people were arrested.

Figures for both anti-social behaviour and violent crime were down. He advised that local resources had been utilised during the Commonwealth Games, and he highlighted the overall success of the Games.

The forthcoming Referendum would also require considerable resourcing being mindful of tensions within local communities.

Sergeant Reid highlighted a forthcoming event – Don’t be a Victim – scheduled for Friday, 12 September between 10a.m. and 2.00p.m. in the Victoria Halls, Helensburgh.

Discussion followed and Sergeant Reid confirmed that the mobile office was a shared resource between Helensburgh and Lomond  and  Bute and Cowal.  Councillor Kinniburgh commended the way that Police Scotland had managed the Traffic Plan on the day of the Orange Walk in Helensburgh.  

The Chair thanked Sergeant Reid for attending the meeting and providing an informative update for the group.

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Report by the Area Governance Manager

The group gave consideration to a report regarding the governance issues pertaining to the Area Community Planning Groups.

The group gave consideration to the draft Terms of Reference pertaining to the Area Community Planning Groups.

The Area Governance Manager advised the group of the timescales for the submission of comments. 

The Chair requested that the group address this issue and endeavour to get adequate Ward representation.

Discussion followed in regards local community councils and their perception of not being fully included and the need for cognisance in regards the diverse issues of rural and urban community councils. 

The Chair urged the group to review and give consideration to issues which had been raised during the discussion. He also questioned the lack of representation from the private sector and hoped this would also be addressed. He continued that partners should feedback comments to – Lorna Elliott, Community Governance Manager – by 30 September.

The Area Governance Manager confirmed that the draft Terms of Reference would be disseminated to all the local Community Councils for their information with a  request that any comments by submitted by 30 September 2014.

(Reference: Report by Head of Community and Culture, dated 9 September 2014, submitted) 

The group gave consideration to the localised SOA delivery.

Discussion followed and it was confirmed that all local Community Councils would be written to individually and it was hoped to convene a local workshop in Helensburgh and Lomond.

The group agreed to note the phased approach localised SOA delivery and associated timetable.

Report by Area Governance Officer

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

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

Report by Sustainable Development Manager

The group considered a short report in regards to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority (NPA)

(Ref:  Report by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority (NPA), dated 9 September 2014, submitted.)

Update by Commander Riches

Commander Riches had intimated his apologies and therefore there was no update on  recent events within the MOD. 

Verbal update by Joanna Peebles

There was no representation from Scottish Water.

The Chair requested that a letter be sent to Joanna Peebles, Regional Community Manager  requesting an update on water issues in the local area and attendance at future meetings of the group.

Decision:

The Community Governance Manager to write to Joanna Peebles.

Update by Neil Sturrock

The group heard an update from Neil Sturrock on Argyll and Bute Transport Outcomes Report for 2014/2015.

Discussion continued in regards on-going issues in the Craigendoran area ‘Park and Ride’ proposal and Mr Sturrock affirmed that there were land ownership issues which were delaying progress. He continued that Council officers were leading on this and further information could be requested from them. The issue of bus stops being moved in Helensburgh Town centre was highlighted and the resulting confusion which had arisen from this.  The Chair reiterated the need for SPT to monitor this and establish why this had occurred.

Further discussion was given to the implementation of use of the smart card on buses and ferries.  Mr Sturrock assured the group that he would update them on progress.

He continued that a new rail franchise was commencing in April 2015 and this would present opportunities to engage in potential new services. The possibility of disabled veterans being awarded free travel was also raised.

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Neil Sturrock, Senior Transport Planner, Strathclyde for Transport)

Presentation by Streetscene Area Manager

The group heard a presentation by the Technical Officer in regards to the Amenity Services Budget savings.

The Streetscene operation was commended by Mr Casey, Cardross Community Council who related recent operations they had undertaken in the area.  The group gave further discussion in regards the need for effective street cleaning machinery in the area. 

The group agreed:-

1.                  To note the presentation.

2.                  That the Technical Officers would investigate the implementation of effective street cleaning machinery for the Town Centre area

Update by Community Development Officer

The group gave consideration to a report in regards to the Kirkmichael Commonwealth Family Fun and Sports Day.

Discussion followed and the group gave consideration to the best possible way to support the event. It was suggested that this presented opportunities for local partners to be more involved.  The Chair highlighted the need for a framework which covered all areas of Argyll and Bute. 

The group agreed:-

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That this issue would be included in the localised SOA delivery plan.

(Reference: Report by the Community Development Manager, dated 19 August 2014, submitted).

Update by Morevain Martin

Morevain Martin provided an update in regards to the recent training and events within the area. She advised that £9,000 had recently been awarded to local organisations from the Health and Wellbeing Fund.  A recent initiative had seen young carers in work placements. Mrs Martin highlighted that the Helensburgh and Lomond food bank, a new project, would be operational on 4 November and gave thanks to the Red Cross for their offer of free accommodation.

She continued to update the group on training workshops – Committee skills for voluntary organisations and various groups in the local area. These included – a group to support families in crisis and a young carers support group.

Mrs Martin highlighted a forthcoming event which would be held in the Tower.

 The Chair thanked Ms Martin for her informative update. 

The group noted the update.

The group were given an update by Tony Meechan and he advised that he would pass on the group’s thanks to Group Commander Eddie Renfrew.

He continued that he did not have the detail of a replacement, but was hopeful this would be implemented by December. Mr Meechan advised on an increase in operational incidents, but stressed these were in the main false alarms. He detailed an increase in home visits and installation of fire alarms.

The  Summer strategy had completed and the Service were about to implement Electrical Safety and Bonfire Safety.  He reported on 3 local events – Road Safety with pupils from Hermitage Academy; Visitors awareness and also Holiday/Country safety.

The Chair thanked Mr Meechan for his informative update.  

The group noted the update.

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

The Area Governance Manager advised that a recent meeting had been postponed and discussion was taking place to source the best means of incorporating community safety into the local area SOA delivery plan.

Morevain Martin, Argyll Voluntary Action advised the group that funding for ‘Reshaping Care’ would cease at the end of the current financial year.  She highlighted the difficulties small organisations would have with bidding issues and stated that, in her opinion, this would be an excellent time and opportunity for these organisations to engage with the local Community Planning group.

The group noted the update.

There were none raised.

The Area Governance Manager circulated a report from the recent Community Planning Management Committee meeting and highlighted that there would be regular reports forthcoming from the Community Planning Management Committee to Area Community Planning Groups.

It was also noted that the Area Community Planning Groups would continue to provide regular information to the Management Committee as part of a wider communication strategy.

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