Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of;

Councillor Jim Anderson;

Councillor Audrey Forrest;

Councillor Bobby Good;

Samantha Stubbs – Third Sector Interface;

Barbara Halliday – Business Gateway;

Neil MacFarlane – Local Network Manager, Transport Scotland; and

Joanna MacDonald – Chief Executive, HSPC.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Meeting of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group held on 3 November 2020

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 3 November 2020 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Committee Manager

The Group gave consideration to a report advising members of the procedure to be followed when electing officer bearers and asked the Group to consider the appointment of a Chair and Vice-Chair to the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group. The Committee Manager invited nominations from those on the call for both positions.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group agreed to elect Willie Lynch and Charles Dixon-Spain as Chair and Vice Chair of the Group respectively for the next two year period.

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, dated 2 February 2021, submitted)

Report by Committee Manager

The Group reviewed the current Terms of Reference and membership of the Community Planning Group and noted the dates for meetings up until May 2022.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    considered and adopted the Terms of Reference as attached to the report (Appendix 1) and agreed that they be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure their ongoing currency and appropriateness for the work of the Group as it develops over time;

2.    considered and agreed the membership of the Group as attached to the report (Appendix 2) with the addition of Colintraive & Glendaruel Development Trust;

3.    agreed that the membership of the Group be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure currency and appropriateness for the work of the Group as it develops over time; and

4.     noted the meeting schedule and dates submitted in the report.

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, dated 2 February 2021, submitted

Report by Committee Manager

The Group considered a briefing note which related to the virtual meeting of the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee which met on 2 December 2020.

Decision

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

(Reference: Briefing note by Committee Manager, dated 2 February 2021, submitted)

Report by Area Manager, Cowal Older Adult Health and Social Care

The Group gave consideration to an update from the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) in relation to the response to Covid- 19 in the Bute and Cowal Area.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    considered and noted the information provided; and

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

(Reference: Update by Area Manager, Cowal Older Adult Health and Social Care, dated 20 January 2021, submitted)

Report by James Sullivan, Local Authority Liaison Officer – Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

A report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ3 review of local performance within Cowal, Isle of Bute and Dunoon for 2020-21 was considered by the Group.

Discussion focussed on the Test and Protect facilities due to open on Monday 8 February 2021 at Dunoon and Rothesay Fire Stations which will be available to local residents via appointments made by NHS Highland only. 

The Group also discussed how the implementation of the new smoke alarm legislation is still to be ratified but is anticipated to come into force by February 2022.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    reviewed and noted the contents of the report; and

2.    thanked all Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s volunteers for their continued good work.

(Reference: Report by Watch Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted)

Update by Strategic Development Manager, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface

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 January 2021, submitted)

Report by Lynn Campbell, Customer Service Leader - Department for Work and Pensions

The Group considered an update from the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) which detailed their response to Covid-19 as well as various initiatives they are involved with including job finding support, job entry targeted support and the Kickstart scheme.

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 DWP the Committee Manager would take back any questions to the DWP and circulate any responses to the Group.

(Reference: Update by Customer Service Leader - Department for Work and Pensions, dated January 2021, submitted)

Update by Community Learning and Development Assistant

The Group considered an update from Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Learning Service which detailed their response to Covid-19 as well as various initiatives they are involved with including the No One Left Behind initiative, digital employability and the Youth Advisory Panel.

Discussion focussed on how the service had found that the response to the pandemic provided new ways of connecting with young people and that their ways of working would be permanently adapted to reflect this, although there were challenges with adult learners the service believed blended learning would help to overcome those challenges.

Decision

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

(Reference: Update by Community Learning and Development Assistant, submitted)

Colglen Community Council

The newly appointed Vice-Chair of the Colglen Community Council, Charles Dixon-Spain, updated the Group on the activities of the Community Council which included having successfully received £31,000 via two rounds of funding which would help to cover the cost of mileage for volunteers involved with prescription and food delivery associated with their resilience work.  However, their box delivery budget had been curtailed to around 18 boxes per week which was proving to be problematic as they were finding more people were coming forward asking for help.  Another part of the funding received was for an open air space for the community to access during restrictions which was at the planning stage.  Mr Dixon-Spain stated that the number of volunteers was a great help and very welcome especially for prescription runs though if more households find themselves in need of this service as a result of the pandemic the Community Council may need to seek further funding.

Dunoon Community Council

Willie Lynch stated that third sector organisation and resilience and befriending groups were covering any resilience work needed in the Dunoon area.

Bute Community Council

Robert MacIntyre stated that he felt people were largely adhering to the social distancing restrictions and there was a noticeable increase in people walking more to keep fit.

Discussion focused on the increase in uptake in click and collect and online deliveries with local retailers as well as supermarkets had a positive impact on the community though there was some evidence that supermarkets were experiencing stock issues.

At this point Councillor Jim Findlay left to attend another meeting

Police Scotland

PC Laura Evans advised the Group of her work with the Cared for at Home network which was established through partnership working with the council and TSI to help raise awareness of fraud and bogus crimes. These types of crimes have doubled this year and a lot are in relation to scam emails as more people are at home and more isolated and vulnerable and therefore an easy target.  Information is shared via social media but there is a need to look at how to get this to older people.  Police Scotland are sharing alerts with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland who then decimate the information to community councils, who in turn can pass this to care home staff to pass to their clients when speaking to them face to face.  PC Evans stressed that the aim of the project was to raise awareness and not to cause panic and was happy to pass on the information for circulation to the wider group.

Bute Community Council

Robert MacIntyre advised that there is only one boat sailing in and out of Rothesay and there is a possibility of the Colintraive/Rhubodach sailing being reduced to an hourly sailing.

Scottish Government Guidance as of 19 January 2021

The Group gave consideration to the latest Covid-19 stay at home guidance.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the guidance.

(Reference: Scottish Government Guidance as of 19 January 2021)

Verbal Update from Rural and Operations Director and Building and Facilities Manager, Mount Stuart Trust

Rural and Operations Director and Building and Facilities Manager, Mount Stuart Trust updated the Group on the issues faced by their business, particularly in regard to exporting their produce, since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. They advised that the beef and sheep business was very strong but was cautious about the future which will be monitored closely. Mr Bowman also advised that the diary market remained strong in terms of farming.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted and thanked the Rural and Operations Director and Building and Facilities Manager for the update.

(Reference: Verbal Update by Rural and Operations Director and Building and Facilities Manager, Mount Stuart Trust)

Letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland from the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council

A letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland from the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council was consider by the Group.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the letter.

(Reference: letter from the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, dated 15 January 2021, submitted)

No updates given.

Demonstration by Community Planning Officer

The Group was lead through a demonstration of BaseCamp, which is an online website which allows all members of the Area Community Planning Group (ACPG) to access relevant documents relating to the ACPG; provide information on action points arising from the meetings or action plans; share information about relevant items of interest with other members; and provides better networks with other ACPG members in between meetings.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    thanked the Community Planning Officer for the informative demonstration and noted the information provided in the presentation; and

2.    agreed to provide the Community Planning Officer with contact details of those who have intimated their wish to be invited to access BaseCamp.

(Reference: demonstration by Community Planning Officer, dated 2 February 2021, submitted)

Verbal Update by Neil MacFarlane, Local Network Manager, Transport Scotland

Having given his apologies the Committee Manager read out an update provided by Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland which detailed notable roadworks on A83 and A82 Loch Lomondside for the next quarter.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    considered and noted the information provided; and

2.    agreed to post the list of notable works on BaseCamp.

(Reference: Update by Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland, dated 2 February 2021, tabled)

Report by Team Lead – Housing Strategy

The Group gave consideration to a report which updated them on housing supply and demand activity within the Bute and Cowal area.

Discussion focussed on the need to be cautious about putting too much demand on existing infrastructure, such as schools, required to support new houses and how a further breakdown on rural housing demand in terms of those on the housing waiting list would be beneficial.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Team Lead – Housing Strategy, dated 13 January 2021, submitted)

The next meeting will take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 4 May 2021

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group would take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 4 May 2021 with venue details to be confirmed in due course.

The Vice-Chair thanked the outgoing Chair for all her hard work and diligence over the last two years. Mrs Russell thanked the Governance Team for their hard work and support and advised that she would still attend meetings in her role as Chair of the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust.