Agenda and minutes

Venue: Skype

Contact: Stuart Mclean - Committee Manager 01436 658717 Adele Price-Williams - Senior Committee Assistant - 01546 604480 

Items
No. Item

1.

WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first virtual meeting of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Audrey Forrest.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

3.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 234 KB

Meeting of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group held on 4 February 2020

Minutes:

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 4 February 2020 was approved as a correct record.

 

Matters Arising

 

The Group noted that in relation to item 4 (a) Annual Update of Terms of Reference, Membership and Future Meeting Dates, the social media campaign did not generate a huge response due to the impact of Covid-19 and agreed a second social media campaign to be launched in the coming weeks with the responses to be considered at the next meeting in February 2021 when the governance arrangements would be considered.

4.

COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE pdf icon PDF 241 KB

Report by Committee Manager

Minutes:

The Group considered a briefing note which related to the virtual meeting of the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee which met on 23 September 2020.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the briefing note.

 

(Reference: Briefing note by Committee Manager, dated 3 November 2020, submitted)

5.

PARTNERS UPDATE - COVID-19 RESPONSE

5a

Third Sector Interface pdf icon PDF 203 KB

Report by Samantha Stubbs – Strategic Development Manager, Third Sector Interface

Minutes:

The Group considered an update from the Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) which detailed their response to Covid-19 which included supporting charities, social enterprises, community groups and encouraging volunteering.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

 

1.    considered and noted the information provided; and

 

2.    noted that in absence of an officer from TSI the Committee Manager would take back any questions to TSI and circulate any responses to the Group.

 

(Reference: Update by Samantha Stubbs – Strategic Development Manager, Third

Sector Interface, dated October 2020, submitted)

5b

Health and Social Care Partnership - Caring for People COVID-19 Community Response pdf icon PDF 211 KB

Report by Alison McGrory - Health Improvement Principal, Health and Social Care Partnership

Minutes:

The Group gave consideration to an update from the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) in relation to the community response work of the Caring for People Tactical Partnership and local Caring for People Teams.

 

Discussion focussed around the shielding lists generated by the letters sent from the Scottish Government and how some people felt they may have been missed off these lists and why this may have occurred.  It was noted that as part of the evaluation process currently being undertaken by the HSPC, along with Scottish Government guidance, that should there be a future lockdown people will not be asked to shield but will be advised on how to take personal responsibility for their own welfare so they can make their own choices about shielding.

 

The age of volunteers, particularly on Bute, who responded to their community needs during the lockdown was discussed, specifically the guidance received from Scottish Government that advised 70 year olds were to be classed as vulnerable and therefore were not permitted to volunteer, without taking into account individual people’s health and ability to assist.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Alison McGrory - Health Improvement Principal, Health and

Social Care Partnership, dated 3 November 2020, submitted)

5c

SURF Dunoon Area Alliance pdf icon PDF 566 KB

Update by Ann Campbell - Dunoon Area Alliance Facilitator

Minutes:

The Group gave consideration to an update from SURF Dunoon Area Alliance (DAA) which provided a summary of their work in responding to Covid-19 which included information on supporting communication, information sharing, business resilience and responding to business and community needs.

 

Discussion focussed on the Cycling Friendly Town initiative and how DAA will be working closely with the council’s Sustainable Transport team. DAA will also feedback information gathered from cyclists to ensure roads are kept in a safe condition and that all options are explored for developing and promoting cycle tracks in and around the Dunoon area.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

 

(Reference: Update by Ann Campbell - Dunoon Area Alliance Facilitator, dated 19 October 2020, submitted)

5d

Opportunity for verbal updates from Area Community Planning Group Partners involved in resilience projects relating to the covid-19 response

Minutes:

Colglen Community Council

 

The Chair updated the Group on the activities of Colglen Community Council which included that;  they were able to hit the ground running in response to Covid-19 as there was a resilience plan already in place, The Chair encouraged all community councils do the same; a  mapping exercise was undertaken of all properties using the web application what3words with the resulting data shared with the doctor’s surgery for prescription and food package deliveries; and that two local foodbanks are still open.

 

Moving forward concerns were raised about mental health issues and the Group noted that winter activities such as online events such as quizzes and knitting squares for blankets were to be encouraged to help those that cannot get out still feel useful.

 

Crossroads for Young Carers Cowal and Bute

 

Mags Todd updated the Group on the key activities of the Young Carers which included; continued support to all young carers by supplying food and activity packs, laptops and tablets; social distancing walks with groups were still occurring and consideration being given to moving back to indoor work soon.

 

Skills Development Scotland

 

Susan McRae introduced herself as the new Area Manager for Dunoon. In response to Covid-19 the Group noted that the service was withdrawn and put online. Following the summer holidays advisors are now back in schools with an appointment only basis on Rothesay for those that cannot access remote services. The Group further noted that a national helpline for individuals faced with a redundancy situation was available which including advise on re-training - 0800 917 8000.

 

Department for Work and Pensions

 

Lynn Campbell advised the Group that all sites remained open to vulnerable customers if they could not access digital sites and that customer care calls were offered to ensure all claims were processed and paid on time. The Group noted that the key focus was on getting people back to work which included working closely with Skills Development Scotland and the Kick-start programme which was available to smaller business through the council - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme  plus many other mentoring and virtual training programmes.

 

Discussion focussed around encouraging people to engage with schemes on offer and how to disseminate this information to the community. The Committee Manager offered to confirm to the Group what is on the council website and will liaise with webteam to explore the possibility of a dedicated web-space if required; Anne Campbell offered to add links and information on the DAA website and include links in DAA e-newsletters; and David Munro asked if all people partners involved could send all their links to each community council who could then put the links on their website and newsletters.

6.

UPDATES BY COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERS

6a

Health and Social Care Partnership - Public Health pdf icon PDF 306 KB

Report by Alison McGrory - Health Improvement Principal, Health and Social Care Partnership

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Group gave consideration to a report which highlighted the Health and Wellbeing in Argyll and Bute Annual 2019/20 report.

 

In additional to the report it was noted that 25% of the population in Argyll and Bute are of a pensionable age which presents a number of significant challenges especially around those who wish to volunteer and support their community groups as mentioned at 5 (b) and the Living Well Self-Management Grants were allocated to 8 projects not 7 as described in the report.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Alison McGrory - Health Improvement Principal, Health and

Social Care Partnership, dated 3 November 2020, submitted)

6b

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Group Partners

Minutes:

Police Scotland

 

Chief Inspector Douglas Wilson advised the Group that it was business as usual for Police Scotland throughout the pandemic but routine business did disappear at the early phase which enabled them to increase visible patrolling. Current issues were based around the increase of visitors to area, wild camping and access issues as well as speeding and driver behaviour needing to be addressed via a multi-agency response.

 

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

 

Watch Commander James Sullivan advised the Group that there had been a slight increase in false alarms but there had been no fire causalities and a recorded reduction in accidental and deliberate fires. He further reported that; there had been a reduction in home fire safety visits due to Covid-19 however new criteria meant that over 50s who smoke and live alone or were classed as vulnerable were required to have visits. The Watch Commander also reported that the SFRS had assisted with referrals from partners agencies including the Council and NHS during the shieling process with food parcel and medication delivery.

 

Business Gateway

 

Barbara Halliday introduced herself as a Business Advisor and explained how the Business Gateway had been helping with a number of grant schemes and offering advice and support to businesses.  The group noted that there had been business growth through the Local Growth Accelerator programme with support from online tutorial and webinars.

 

Dunoon Presents

 

Colin Moulson explained that despite the fact all events had to be cancelled they were still able to host Dunoon’s first drive in cinema at the end of July and have been given permission to use the old Gas Works in Dunoon for future events. The Group noted that they were hoping to host Christmas markets in December and large events next year which includes Argyll Rally and a triathlon and open swim operated by Durty Events.

 

The Group further noted that Dunoon Presents were working behind the scenes helping people to secure business grants and that they had secured £12,500 from the Scottish BID resilience fund. Colin also spoke of the campaign by Scotland Loves Local which is a community fund he encouraged community councils to look at -

https://www.scotlandstowns.org/scotland_loves_local_fund_application_form_and_guidance  Mr Moulson confirmed that the organisation was looking at changing direction from hosting events to providing more direct support for business in the likelihood that the current restrictions around events are to continue for some time.

7.

UK WITHDRAWAL FROM THE EU pdf icon PDF 156 KB

Report by Chief Executive

Minutes:

A report on the Council and the Health and Social Care Partnership’s response to the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union was before the Group for consideration.

 

The Group noted the below link that businesses might find useful in preparing for Brexit -

https://www.prepareforbrexit.scot/updates/everything-you-need-to-know-about-tariffs?utm_campaign=705811_FindBusinessSupport%20-%20COVID-19%20and%20Brexit%20guidance%20-%20Updates%20130&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Scottish%20Enterprise&dm_i=4X7B,F4LV,37MNN4,1RU3A,1

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

 

1.    were assured that the Council and the HSPC are as well prepared as they can be with regards to exiting the EU, and are actively engaged with partners through the local and national resilience frameworks; and

 

2.    noted that the Committee Manager would take any questions back and circulate responses to the Group.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 21 October 2020, submitted)

8.

BOUNDARY COMMISSION PROPOSALS pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Discussion facilitated by Chair in relation to Local Government Boundary Commission Proposals

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Group considered a report which advised of the Boundary Commission for Scotland’s proposals for Argyll and Bute area.

 

Discussion focused on ward sizes and the need to ensure there is adequate social housing.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

 

1.    noted the position; and

 

2.    requested that an officer from Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing Planning Group and Housing Services come to next meeting in February 2021.

9.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 2 February 2021

Minutes:

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group would take place by Skype at 10.00am on Tuesday 2 February 2021.

 

The Chair and Vice-Chair thanked all for attending the first virtual meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group and thanked Governance Officers for their help and support to ensure the meeting was successful.