Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were intimated from:

Janice Kennedy – Scottish Enterprise

Tony Davey – Cardross Community Council

Neil Black – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Alison McGrory – NHS Highland 

Neil Sturrock – Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT)

Neil Black – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Alison McGrory – NHS Highland

Nick Davies – Cove & Kilcreggan Community Council

Yvonne Angus – Argyll Community Housing Association

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning group held on 9 February 2016 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the meeting of the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee held on 16 February 2016 was noted by the group.

The Minute of the meeting of the Third Sector and Communities CPP Strategic Group held on 24th February 20162016 was noted by the group.

Update by Community Planning Manager.

The group gave consideration to an update provided by the Community Planning Officer.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

(Reference: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated March 2016, submitted).

Verbal update by Community Planning Officer.

The group heard a verbal update regarding progress relating to the review of the SOA Delivery plans and a presentation on the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act consultation from the Community Planning Officer.

The Chair opened the meeting for questions and the following comments were made:

·         It was noted that the Scottish Government was considering setting a maximum population level for locality plans  and that the upper limit mentioned (30,000) would be required if a locality plan was to cover the whole of the Helensburgh & Lomond area.. It was also noted that population size might not  be the  main determining factor and that the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation may also have a role to play in this regard.

·         Smaller plans could be compiled to take recognisance of the geographical areas of deprivation in the local area;

·         With regards to existing community action plans, would new plans be compiled for areas outwith the National Park, as the existing plans were 10/15 years old? It was noted that community action plan development required adequate resources to be undertaken effectively;

·         It was important to recognise the challenge if Locality Plans did not fit into more locally focused plans;

·         How would local Community Councils engage with the process?

The Chair highlighted a recent meeting held with Helensburgh Community Council and that the potential implications of the Community Empowerment Act had been highlighted during the meeting.

The Community Planning officer agreed to take these comments to the Management Committee for their consideration.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update and presentations.

Report by Community Governance Manager.

The group gave consideration to a report which provided feedback on the findings of the Area Community Planning Group - Members Satisfaction survey. There was a short discussion regarding the location of meetings and it was agreed to hold the next meeting at the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre on a trial basis.

Discussion followed and the unusual lack of Community Councils attending the meeting was noted.

Decision:

The group agreed:-

1.    To note the update; and

2.    That the Community Governance Manager would contact local Community Councils to clarify whether the change in meeting time had impacted on their ability to attend.

(Reference: Report by Community Governance Manager).

Update by Stuart Green, Corporate Support Manager.

The group heard an update from the Corporate Support Manager.

The Chair opened the meeting for questions and the following issues were raised:-

·         The fact that  there was no Third Sector representation on the Economic Forum Membership;

·         The possible conflict between marine tourism and local economic growth;

·         It would be useful to have e an effective communication procedure between Community Planning Groups and the Economic Forum.

The Chair thanked the Corporate Support Manager for his presentation and update and highlighted the immense help and support received from Nicholas Ferguson CBE, Chairperson.   

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update and that further reports on progression would be brought to future Community Planning Group meetings.

Presentation by Commander Jim Hayle, Base Executive Officer.

The group gave consideration to an update and presentation by Commander Hayle, Base Executive Officer.

Discussion followed and the group raised points  regarding:-

·         The status of empty houses on the Churchill Estate;

·         Possibility of land purchase from the Ministry of Defence (MOD)for the provision of social housing for Naval personnel and their families

·         Future location of Marine personnel and their families in the local area, who were currently not locally based.

·         Commander Hayle commented that each area would have their own management approach and, at present, there was a short term need for the housing on the Churchill Estate. He continued that the current perception was that existing serving Naval personnel wished to live in close proximity to the Town centre. He also highlighted that housing; spousal employment and education were key factors in determining where service personnel chose to base their families.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the presentation and update.

(Reference: Presentation by Commander Jim Hayle, Base Executive Officer, dated May 2016, submitted). 

The group gave consideration to a report from Scottish Enterprise. Ishabel Bremner Economic Growth Manager spoke to the report on behalf of Janice Kennedy, Scottish Enterprise who had been unable to attend the meeting.

It was noted that due to technical issues the following points had been obscured in table circulated as supplementary information:

1.1.4    Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme will provide enhanced support to growth businesses (approved by Scottish Government and offer of grant letter issued for signing).

1.2.1    Ongoing discussion between A&BC and MOD with a view to establishing a formal partnership with for example Community Planning Partners, Babcock and others to develop opportunities in the Maritime Change Programme

Ms Bremner highlighted the forthcoming Economic Development Workshop being held on 31 May in the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre for which the group attendees would have received an invite and encouraged members to attend the workshop

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Janice Kennedy, Scottish Enterprise).

Verbal by Nigel Millar, Secretary Helensburgh Community Council.

The group heard a verbal update by Nigel Millar, Helensburgh Community Council.

He highlighted recent meetings and contact with local business women and gave various examples of business initiatives and commented that local banks were keen to assist. Mr Millar emphasised the importance of networking, bidding for finance, effective marketing/selling and legal and governance advice. He pointed out the potential of highly trained Naval personnel retiring early and settling in the local area.         

The Chair thanked Mr Millar for his informative update.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

Report by Trust Development Officer.

The group gave consideration to an update on the Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust which has transformed over the past two years from a start-up project to a fully operational countryside trust.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

(Reference: Report by  Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust Development Officer dated May 2016, submitted). 

Report by Senior Development Officer, Projects and Renewables, Argyll and Bute Council.

The group gave consideration to a report which highlighted the contribution that NVA’s internationally significant Kilmahew/St Peter’s project in Cardross makes to the local economy.

Discussion followed and the group commented on the recent success of Hinterland which achieved worldwide publicity and was a complete sell out. Claire Simpson, Project Co-ordinator NVA affirmed that they hoped to hold further events and that a similar transportation strategy would be put in place for visitors. They hoped to provide additional parking spaces with access to the site. She continued that the project was developing as a tourism attraction for the local area.

Rebecca Powrie, NVA outlined the timescale for the project delivery with the opening scheduled for October 2018. 

The Chair offered his congratulations on the success of Hinterland and the value to local tourism and looked forward to further updates coming to Community Planning Group meetings.    

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report and update.

(Reference: Report by Senior Development Officer, dated May 2016, submitted). 

Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, Argyll and Bute HSCP

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

The group questioned how future reporting would be implemented and the Community Governance Manager advised that communication links were being progressed.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, dated May 2016 submitted).

Report by Linda Skrastin, NHS Highland (to follow).

The group gave consideration to reports from NHS Highland.

Discussion followed and the group heard a brief outline from Mary Lynch, Physiotherapist at NHS Highland. She welcomed any suggestions from the group and that these be forwarded onto her.

The group asked for further detail on whom Ms Lynch was working with and she illustrated that she had undertaken initial promotional work via local lunch clubs, groups, etc

However, she was finding now that news of the classes was spreading by ‘word of mouth’. Ms Lynch highlighted that there were training opportunities for volunteers.

The group heard a further update from Lucy Johnson, Occupational Therapist at NHS Highland who reported that she was working closely with local carers and family members. She acknowledged that she had started from scratch in the formation of effective links in the local area.

The Chair thanked both Ms Lynch and Ms Johnson for their informative reports and updates.   

Decision:

The group agreed to note the reports and updates.

(Reference: Reports by NHS Highland, dated May 2016, submitted). 

Report by Eileen McCrory, Manager Helensburgh and Lomond Carers.

There was no representation or a report from the Carers group.

Report by Alison McGrory

The group gave consideration to an update by Craig McNally

Discussion followed and some of the local groups who had been assisted by the Health and Wellbeing grants were highlighted by Morvain Martin.

The budget was now available to fund small projects and application forms were available online.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

(Reference: Report by Alison McGrory, Health Improvement Principal, NHS Highland dated May 2016, submitted). 

Report by Morven Short, Director Dunbritton Housing.

The group gave consideration to a report from Dunbritton Housing Association.

Morven Short highlighted that under the previous Agenda Item – Argyll and Bute Coast and Countryside Trust – Dunbritton Housing were actively engaged with working with them. Members were advised that significant funding had been received from the Scottish Government, however beyond this financial year there was uncertainty about the future budget.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

(Reference: Report by Morven Short, Director – Dunbritton Housing, dated May 2016, submitted). 

Report by Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) Regional Manager.

The group gave consideration to a report from the Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) Regional Manager.

The Chair advised that due to ill health, there was no representation from Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) and that if anyone had any questions regarding the report they should submit them to the Community Governance Manager.

Discussion followed and the group raised their concerns regarding the uncertain future of the centre on the Kirkmichael Estate and the impact on the Kirkmichael Community Development Group.

The Community Development Officer highlighted that staff will still be based there; however there would not be any caretaking staff. She affirmed that she would assist as best she could. It was noted that other venues for meetings may be available  noted as partners also had buildings on the Kirkmichael estate  

The Chair noted that officers were doing as much as possible to assist on this issue. 

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

(Reference: Report by Regional Manager, Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), dated May 2016, submitted). 

Report by Executive Director – Community Services.

The group gave consideration to a report which updated on the progress of the Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategic Partnership in responding to the Strategic Guidance for Community Planning Groups (2012).

Discussion followed and the group raised the following issues:-

It was noted that Argyll College were keen to have a base in Helensburgh and the Community Learning Manager confirmed that Argyll College was currently in discussion with the Tower in Helensburgh.

The need to have links between the Community Learning & Development Partnership (CLD) and the Community Action Plans was highlighted. The Community Planning Officer commented that her perception was that the 2 sets of plans would complement each other.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

(Reference: Report by the Community Learning Manager dated May 2016, submitted). 

The Community Governance Manager advised that a report was being submitted to the Management Committee for approval. This would come to a subsequent Community Planning Group where the relevant Outcome was being discussed.

The Community Governance Manager advised that Outcomes 2 and 6 would be discussed at the August meeting and she would forward on these outcomes to the group.

It was requested that– a report be provided detailing the work being undertaken on the Kirkmichael Estate under Outcome 2 – We have infrastructure that supports growth.

The date of the next meeting is:-

Tuesday, 16 August 2016 at 2.00p.m. – venue to be confirmed.

Discussion to be facilitated by the Community Governance Manager on items for inclusion on the Agenda for the next meeting.

The date of the next Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group meeting was scheduled for 16 August 2016 and the meeting would be held in the new Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre.