Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were intimated from:

Ruaridh MacGregor - Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water

Carol Keeley – Emergency Planning Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

Susan Donnelly, Emergency Planning Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

Neil Black, Community Development Adviser, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Janice Kennedy, Senior Executive Scottish Enterprise

Alison McCrossan, Scottish Health Council

Rona Gold, Community Planning Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning group held on 17 May 2016 was approved as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of Samantha Quarton and Alison McCrossan as attendees and amending Morevain Martin’s title to include Third Sector Interface.

The Minute of the meeting of the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee held on 18 May 2016 was noted by the group.

The Minute of the meeting of the Third Sector and Communities CPP Strategic Group held on 9 June 2016 was noted by the group.

Update by Community Planning Manager

The group gave consideration to an update on the recent activity by the Community Planning Management Committee.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

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

Report by Community Planning Manager

The group gave consideration to a briefing note which provided an update on activities falling under all SOA Outcomes.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update.

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

Update by Group Manager – Prevention & Protection, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

The group gave consideration to a report which provided the detail of current activities which fall under SOA Outcome 6:  People live in safer and stronger communities.  These activities are ongoing and will continue over the coming year.

It was noted that the Helensburgh and Lomond Health and Well Being fund had made a contribution of £2000.00 towards smoke alarm testing devices. Discussion followed on the seemingly disproportionate number of Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) in the Helensburgh Central area and it was explained that this was as a result of heightened awareness of the usefulness of HFSVs in the local community following incidents    It was also highlighted that the Grey Matters initiative actively encouraged people in Helensburgh Central to take up the offer of HFSVs.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Group Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue dated 16 August 2016, submitted). 

Report by Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Development Officer

The group gave consideration to a report which highlighted the newly formed voluntary community association by local residents living in the Kirkmichael area of Helensburgh. The aim of which is to assist local residents to bring about positive change in their community. 

The Community Development Officer introduced 2 members of the Kirkmichael Community Development Group (KCDG) and the Chair – Stevie Coates – highlighted the ethos and intention of the group. He drew attention to the issue of finding suitable premises for the various activities which had recently been implemented.

Discussion followed and the group considered  whether the Community Centre could be utilised as a possible venue. A number of potential operational issues were raised and it was agreed that further information on the matter would be sought following the meeting

 It was agreed that the success of the KCDG was a perfect example of Community Planning in action and credit was given to everyone who had assisted on this project.

Action: The Chair agreed to discuss the issue of using the Community Centre for KCDG activities with a local unpaid volunteer opening and closing the Community Centre.

 Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Community Development Officer dated 16 August 2016, submitted). 

Update by the Criminal Justice Social Work Partnership

The group gave consideration to a report with gave an initial briefing on the new Community Justice structures and noted that further information would be forthcoming at a later date.

 Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Community Justice Transitions Officer Argyll, Bute and Dunbartonshire, dated 16 August 2016, submitted)

Update by Argyll and Bute Council’s Housing Services Manager

The group gave consideration to a report which provided an update an update on the Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2015-2020, with a particular focus on the outputs delivered in the Helensburgh and Lomond area over the last five years; the current projects onsite; and the proposals for future development over the next four years with an indication of available resources.

The group highlighted the derelict housing in Rhu and the Housing Services Manager informed the group that a meeting had been scheduled to discuss this issue.

 Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Housing Services Manager, Argyll and Bute Council dated 16 August 2016, submitted). 

Report by Head of Policy and Planning, SPT

The group gave consideration to a report which provided the detail of the preparation by SPT of the Argyll and Bute Transport Outcomes Report (TOR).

Mr Sturrock highlighted the connection between SPT activities and local outcomes from the Single Outcome Agreement; and the focus given within the TOR to the services and benefits that SPT has delivered in 2015/16 together with details of the SPT/Argyll and Bute joint work streams for 2016/17.

Discussion followed and the group raised various issues which included:-

·         Change to train timetables

·         Local infrastructure – including remedial work on painting of bridges

·         Kilcreggan Ferry service

 Decision:

The group agreed:-

1.    To note the report; and

2.    That the Senior Transport Planner would take the issues raised for review at the West of Scotland Rail Forum. 

(Reference: Report by Senior Transport Planner, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, dated August 2016, submitted). 

Update by Community Broadband Scotland & HIE Digital (to follow).

The group gave consideration to a briefing note which provided an update on recent activities falling under SOA Outcome 2. - Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB).

The group raised local issues which included concerns for small hamlets outwith the main Helensburgh and Lomond area.

The Community Broadband Scotland Advisor drew attention to the assistance which could be provided by Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) to help mobilise these rural communities and he advised that funding was also available.

The Chair reiterated that local Community Councils and rural communities should actively engage with CBS to help resolve issues.

 Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Community Broadband Scotland Advisor, dated August 2016, submitted). 

Report by the Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water

The group gave consideration to a report from the Scottish Water, Regional Communities Manager.

The group raised the issue of flooding in the William Street area of Helensburgh.

 Decision:

The group agreed:-

1.    To note the report.

2.    That the Community Governance Manager would request that the Scottish Water, Regional Communities Manager provide an update on the William Street flooding issue.

(Reference: Report by Scottish Water, Regional Communities Manager,  dated August 2016, submitted). 

Report by Acting Executive Director  - Community Services,

The group gave consideration to a report which provided detail of the updated approach to the delivery of Argyll & Bute’s Children in order to support the Integration of Health & Social Care in Argyll & Bute.

 Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services, dated 16 August 2016, submitted).

Report by Community Governance Manager.

The group gave consideration to a report which provided the findings of two small working groups which met in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay and the Oban Lorn and the Isles areas in June 2016  to look at issues around meeting format, communication and information management.

Discussion followed and the group suggested various initiatives which included:

·         Encouraging young people to attend future meetings

·         Changing the meeting venue on occasion to include holdings meetings at Hermitage Academy

·         Scheduling evening meetings on occasion

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report and to the new format being implemented from the November CPG meeting onwards.

(Reference: Report by Community Governance Manager, dated 16 August 2016, submitted). 

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners.

The Chair invited verbal updates from partners in attendance at the meeting.

These included:-

Gilliam Simpson, Argyll TSI gave an update on Well Come in – a new initiative for recovering drug users commencing on 22 September in the Parish Church, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh and introduced Fraser Logan, project leader.

Audrey Baird advised the group that there was a  Helensburgh and Lomond – Taking Action on Marine and Land-Based Litter – meeting scheduled for Monday 22 August in Victoria Halls, Sinclair Street, Helensburgh.

An update on progress to date with Community Emergency Plans for the  Helensburgh and Lomond area were tabled at the meeting and noted by the group.

Police Scotland provided information on  recent projects activity including:

·         Keep Safe I am Me. A project to help children become aware of hate crime and to understand abuse which had been run in partnership with West Dunbartonshire – Adult Protection Committee

·         The CONTEST strategy – a counter-terrorist initiative.

The group agreed that the Liaison Officer in Counter Terrorism would be invited to give a presentation to the November CPG.

Concerns were raised by the Convener of Helensburgh Community Council in regards to the Locality Planning Group being able to address local issues. A short discussion followed and it was agreed to initiate a small working group to explore the issues raised and to report back to the November meeting.

Action:-

1.    The Community Governance Manager will facilitate a workshop to explore the issues raised and report back to the Area CPG in November.

2.    A briefing note giving information about key strategic dates, participants and the remit of Locality Groups to be requested from Helensburgh & Lomond Locality Manager.

Procedural report by Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Governance Manager

The Chair confirmed that he would be relinquishing his position as Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group with immediate effect.

The Community Governance Manager outlined the procedure, as defined within the report, and that Stuart McLean, Group Manager Scottish Fire and Rescue had intimated that he would be prepared to stand as Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group proposed Stuart McLean as Chair, Morevain Martin seconded the proposal.

There were no other nominations forthcoming and the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group agreed that forthwith Stuart McLean would be the new Chair.

John Tacchi on behalf of the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group gave a vote of thanks for all the hard work undertaken by Councillor Mulvaney as the Chair Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group.

Morevain Martin also thanked Councillor Mulvaney for the personal support she had received during her time as Vice Chair for the group. 

The Community Governance Manager advised that Outcomes 3 and 4 would be discussed at the November meeting and she would forward on these outcomes to the group.

It was requested that reports be provided on the following:-

Outcome 3

Briefing Note on examination results from Hermitage Academy

Joint update by Argyll and Bute Council and Third Sector Interface on the Summer Programme – Youth Volunteering.

Presentation  from Helensburgh and Lomond Youth Forum providing an update on their remit and current activities.

Outcome 4

Report on the findings of the working group relating to  Argyll & Bute Health & Social Care Partnership

Presentation on Police Scotland’s CONTEST Project

The Chair thanked partners and officers for their attendance and participation at Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group meetings.   He congratulated the Kirkmichael Community Development Group on their recent success and wished them well for the future.

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

Outcomes to be discussed:-

Outcome 3:  Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all

Outcome 4:  Children and young people have the best possible start

The date of the next Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group meeting was scheduled for 15 November 2016 and the meeting would be held in the new Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre.