Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were intimated from:

Councillor Richard Trail.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning group held on 12 May 2015 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the meeting of the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee  held on 19 May 2015 was noted by the group.

The group gave consideration to an update by the Area Committee Manager.

Discussion followed in regards 4.2 of the report; whereby it was noted that the Management Committee meetings are public meetings and members of the public are welcome to attend in an observatory capacity.  The Group also discussed the public notice of these meetings and where on the Argyll and Bute Council website the meetings dates are listed, with it being suggested that social media accounts and press adverts could be utilised to draw attention to the meetings. 

Decision:

The group agreed:-

1.    To note the update.

2.    That the Area Committee Manager would forward the issues relating to notification of meetings to the Community Planning Management Committee for their review.

Report by Scottish Enterprise.

The group gave consideration to a report received from Scottish Enterprise which provided details of the work they were currently undertaking in the local area.

Further discussion followed in regard the possibility of including the information submitted by Scottish Enterprise in the SOA Local for Helensburgh and Lomond.  The Area Committee Manager advised that the information could be considered for inclusion during the next review of the SOA Locals..

Decision:

The group agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Scottish Enterprise, dated July 2015, submitted)

Report by Babcock International.

The group gave consideration to a report received from the Babcock International Group which provided an update on their involvement, employment and opportunities within the Helensburgh Area

Discussion followed and Joyce McGinley, Babcock International, drew attention to the work they were engaged with in local schools and how they were keen to target primary schools for inclusion on projects.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report and commended the work undertaken by Babcock International in the community and their continued work relating to the  economic activity of the local area.

(Reference: Report by Babcock International Group dated August 2015, submitted) 

Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance

The group gave consideration to a report on the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership.

Jim Littlejohn, Service Manager (Operations) informed the group that the new management structure was now in place and 4 Elected Members had been appointed. Further discussion followed in regards a more balanced membership of the Board. It was highlighted that a meeting in regards the consultation on the Argyll and Bute Strategic Social Care Plan was  scheduled for – Monday, 31 August at 2.00pm in the United Reformed Church, Helensburgh.

Mr Littlejohn outlined that the Argyll and Bute CHP was still in place, but the new   Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership would be fully constituted in April 2016.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, dated July 2015, submitted).

Update by ACHA Regional Manager

The group gave consideration to the annual update report and presentation from the Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA).

Discussion followed in regards the percentage of stock in the Helensburgh and Lomond area which meets the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).

Decision:

The group agreed:-

1.    To note the report.

2.    That the Regional Manager would provide the information in relation to the percentage of homes which meet the SHQS to the Area Committee Manager for circulation to members of the Group.

(Reference: Report by Regional Manager, Argyll Community Housing Association  dated August 2015, submitted)

Update by Director

The group gave consideration to a report  from Dunbritton Housing Association which provided the detail of their current activities in the local area.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Director, Dunbritton Housing Association  dated August 2015, submitted)

Report by Health Improvement Principal

The group gave consideration to the annual report of activity for 2014-2015 from the Health Improvement Team, NHS Highland, Argyll and Bute.

Decision:

The group agreed:

1.    To note the report.

2.    That future reports should reflect the SOA targets and have identifiable measures.

(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Principal, NHS Highland dated August 2015, submitted)

Report by the Manager, Helensburgh & Lomond Carers

The group gave consideration to a report which provided information on the work od the Helensburgh and Lomond Carers.

Discussion followed and Eileen McGrory, local Manager provided the detail of carer numbers  for the local area – these were 467 adult carers and 135 young carers. She highlighted the successful Summer programme and advised of the office re-location. Ms McGrory commented that she would welcome a link into the local Housing Associations.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by the Manager, Helensburgh and Lomond Carers dated August 2015, submitted)

Report by the Helensburgh Addiction Rehabilitation Team.

The group gave consideration to a report which provided the detail of service provision by the Helensburgh Addiction Rehabilitation Team (HART) in the Helensburgh and Lomond area supporting people in the Helensburgh and Lomond area who are recovering from drug, alcohol or other kinds of dependency.

Discussion followed in regards the number of local people being supported and Mike Rweddle, HART Team member advised the number was in the region of 35-40 people.

Decision:

The group agreed:

1.    To note the report.

2.    That HART should provide information on numbers and trends for a future meeting.

(Reference: Report by HART, dated August 2015, submitted)

Monthly summary of food bags issued between November 2014 and May 2015.

The group gave consideration to a report which provided the number of Foodbank sessions held per month and the size and number of bags which had been issued between November 2014 and May 2015.

It was highlighted that during the months of June and July there had been a significant uptake on food bags with the perception that during school holidays there were no free school meals.

The first satellite Foodbank centre was in Garelochhead with a second one planned for Rosneath which would open before Christmas.    

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Helensburgh Foodbank, dated June 2015, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Community Services

The group gave consideration to a report which provided  information on how the Council’s Adult Learning and Literacies service is helping to mitigate any negative impacts of Welfare Reform in the area. 

The Adult Learning Worked, Jackie Gibb tabled literature which provided further information on the current Adult Learning programme in Helensburgh and Lomond. It was highlighted that it would be beneficial to formulate links with the local Housing Associations, in light of the implementation of Universal Credit.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director, Community Services, dated August 2015, submitted)

Report by Principal Policy Officer, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

The group gave consideration to a report which provided details of the services and benefits that SPT has delivered in 2014/15 together with details of the SPT /  Argyll and Bute joint work streams for 2015/16.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Senior Transport Planner, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, dated July 2015, submitted)

The group gave consideration to a report which provided details on the progress being made within Education in Argyll and Bute.

Discussion followed in regards the appointment of ‘named persons’ and the percentage of pupils in Argyll and Bute schools who have additional support needs.

Decision:

The group agreed:-

1.    To note the report.

2.    That the Education Officer would provide the detail of information requested in regards ‘named persons’ and the percentage of pupils requiring additional support needs  to the Area Committee Manager for circulation to members of the Group.

(Reference: Report by Head of Education, dated August 2015, submitted)

The group gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress made in relation to Outcome 4 of the Single Outcome Agreement – Children and young people have the best possible start.  The Education Officer provided the Group with information on some of the key highlights from the Integrated Childrens Services Plan which related specifically to the Helensburgh and Lomond area.  Eileen McCrory highlighted that perhaps young carers should be mentioned in the Plan.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report

(Reference: Report by Head of Education, dated August 2015, submitted)

Report by Service Manager West Lothian, Argyll & Bute, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde

The group gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the work currently being undertaken by Children 1^st  working in conjunction with Argyll and Bute Council, NHS Highland and Argyll Voluntary Action in the Helensburgh and Lomond area to support families with children aged 0 to 8, including unborn children.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Service Manager, dated July 2015, submitted)

Report by Community Learning and Development Officer

The group gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the after school activities which  the CLD Youth Services (Primary) deliver in the Helensburgh and Lomond area and how these activities support strategic and local Single Outcome Agreements.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Youth Service Worker (Primary), dated August 2015, submitted)

Discussion facilitated by the Area Committee Manager on items for inclusion on the Agenda for the Next Meeting.

Outcomes to be discussed:-

Outcome 2  - We have infrastructure that supports growth

Outcome 6 -  People live in safer and stronger communities

The Chair highlighted that the 2 Outcomes for discussion at the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group meeting scheduled for 10 November would be:-

Outcome 2

We have infrastructure that supports growth

Outcome 6  

People live in safer and stronger communities

He opened the meeting for suggestions on reports and information to be submitted for the meeting.

Discussion followed and reports for the following issues were requested:-

Report on BT Fibre and Connectivity - ( Outcome 2)

Report on TOGETHER – Age Friendly Community  - ( Outcome 6)

 Report on Anti-Social Behaviour - ( Outcome 6)

The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and informative updates.