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 Bobby Good;

Councillor Jim Findlay;

Councillor Gordon Blair; and

Alastair MacGregor – Argyll Community Housing Association.

Councillor Jim Anderson declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 5 (c) Community Learning Service Update as a board member of Live Argyll.  He remained in the meeting and took no part in the discussion at this item.

Councillor Audrey Forrest declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 5 (c) Community Learning Service Update as a board member of Live Argyll. She remained in the meeting and took no part in the discussion at this item.

The minutes of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 4 May 2021 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Committee Manager

The Group considered a briefing note which provided an overview of the discussion which took place at the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meeting on 30 June 2021.

Decision

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

(Reference: Briefing note by Committee Manager, dated 17 August 2021, submitted)

Councillor Jean Moffat joined the meeting during discussion of the forgoing item.

Update by Police Inspector Mo Boyle, Police Scotland

Police Inspector (PI) John Forrest introduced himself as the new Community Inspector taking over from PI Simon Shanks.  He spoke to the submitted update which advised on key activities of Police Scotland which included personnel change, response to easing of lockdown restrictions, future planning regarding the upcoming COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021, fraud prevention, online child exploitation, road policing and bike marking.

Discussion focused on policing levels and local issues on Bute. The Group noted that there had been resource issues due to absences, however it was reported that a number of officers will shortly be returning, coupled with 3 new officers to be introduced by September will improve current staffing levels.  PI Forrest agreed to meet with Ward 8 Councillors to discuss the situation further.

Laura Evans advised a 2 year pilot Suicide Bereavement Support scheme had been launched, in partnership with the Scottish Government. This service is for families and individuals, including children and young people who have been impacted by the loss of a loved one to suicide. Families and individuals bereaved since August 2020 can access the service. Miss Evans advised that further details would be circulated to the Group and would encourage partners to distribute this through their own social media channels and any other local mediums as appropriate.

Decision

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

(Reference: Update by Police Inspector Mo Boyle – Police Scotland dated 17 August 2021, submitted)

Update by Ann Campbell, Dunoon Area Alliance Facilitator

The Group considered an update from Ann Campbell, Dunoon Area Alliance in relation to the Dunoon Community Development Trust which had been set up, by a group of local individuals concerned about the sustainable development of Dunoon and the surrounding area. Ann advised that the Trust will build on the endeavours of Dunoon Area Alliance, while focusing on community lead environmental and sustainability projects.

Confirmation was sought and received that officer bearers would be appointed at an AGM to be organised once membership was at the appropriate level.

Discussion focused on communicating with road and pathways users in relation to clarity around right of use by cyclists and/or pedestrians to ensure mutual respect and understanding. It was noted that the council were in the process of reviewing signage and PI Forrest confirmed he would alert officers to concerns raised and encourage them to engage with and advise cyclists as appropriate.

Decision

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

(Reference: Update by Ann Campbell, Dunoon Area Alliance, dated July 2021, submitted)

Update by Rhona Grant, Community Learning and Development Assistant

The Group considered an update from Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Learning Service which detailed its transfer to LiveArgyll, the resumption of the Health and Wellbeing Project, delivery of the Enhanced Summer Programme and the ongoing development of the Community Learning and Development Plan for 21-24.

Decision

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

(Reference: Update by Community Learning and Development Assistant, dated 17 August 2021, submitted)

Update by Dr Faye Tudor - Learning Centre Manager, Argyll College

The Group considered an update from Argyll College which continues to operate remotely and how they were able to support students during the pandemic to achieve success. Dr Tudor advised that college applications remain open with the exception of Access to Nursing and the PGDE in Primary/Secondary teaching, both of which are fully subscribed.

Decision

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

(Reference: Update by Dr Faye Tudor - Learning Centre Manager, Argyll College, dated 17 August 2021, submitted)

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

Susan MacRae advised that careers advisors were returning to schools to co-inside with the start of the new term. The Group noted that SDS continue to work closely with Department of Work and Pension to support school leavers into employment and that a report on school levers and their destinations would be submitted at the next meeting.

Discussion facilitated by Chair

Jim Osbourne, Bute Island Alliance (BIA) confirmed that those interested in securing the long term future of Ardencraig Gardens have been in dialogue with Council Officers. These discussions led to the formation of Ardencraig Interest Group (AIG) who consequently organised a visitor survey which ran for 4 weeks. The survey asked for feedback on the long term aspirations for visitors to the gardens and generated over 1000 responses, AIG are now in the process of analysing the findings. The Group noted that preliminary findings suggest that revenue could be created by the introduction of an admission and membership/friends of society fee and the reopening of the café. As AIG is not yet constituted the BIA were managing donations received through restricted funds.

Decision

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

Report by Committee Manager

Consideration was given by the Group to a briefing note which provided information on the aims of the Climate Change Working Group as was formed by the CPP Management Committee and explored how Area Community Planning Groups could become more involved.

It was noted that if the Working Group invited written submissions this might attract more considered and strategic suggestions.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    discussed the information outlined in the briefing and suggested that the Climate Change Working Group explore the following topics:

- the need to develop a horticulturally trained workforce;

- the need to minimise the transportation of goods and services;

- the part that Argyll and Bute can play in the hydrogen economy;

- the need for suitable electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and

- greater digital connectivity for all.

2.    nominated Charles Dixon-Spain as a substitute to represent the Bute and Cowal ACPG on the Working Group; and

3.    put forward the Glendaruel and Colintraive polytunnels for inclusion within the ACT interactive map.

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, dated 17 August 2021, submitted)

Update by Reeni Kennedy-Boyle - General Manager, Fyne Futures

The Group noted an update from Fyne Futures on how their activities are focused on reducing the Isle of Bute carbon footprint through provision of low carbon goods and services.

Decision

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

(Reference: Update by Reenie Kennedy-Boyle - General Manager, Fyne Futures, dated 17 August 2021, submitted)                                                                      

Discussion facilitated by Vice-Chair

The Vice-Chair opened a discussion on covid-19 resilience advising that as lockdown measures are easing cognisance must be given to the continuing risk of new variants emerging. The Vice-Chair acknowledged the Councils recovery plan and reflected on the degree of uncertainty over the timings of the recovery.

Mr Dixon-Spain encouraged partners to consider how they could respond to future societal challenges at a micro-level to ensure resilience for our communities.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    considered and noted the update; and

2.    agreed that partners would submit any thoughts or ideas regarding how they could respond to future societal challenges to the Committee Manager to be pulled into a report to inform discussions at a future meeting.

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