Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

Alastair MacGregor – Argyll Community Housing Association;

Ann Campbell – Dunoon Area Alliance;

PC Laura Evans – Community Planning Partnership Officer;

Iain Cameron – Station Commander SFRS; and

Lucy Sumsion – National Farmers Union Scotland.

Councillor Audrey Forrest declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 5 (c) Community Learning Service Update and item 6 Community Learning Partnership Plan, as detailed on the published agenda, as a board member of Live Argyll. She claimed the benefit of the Standards Commission Dispensation as this is a Council appointment and advised that she would remain in the meeting and take part in the discussion and decision.

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

The minutes of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 17 August 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 29 September 2021.

Decision

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

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

Report by James Sullivan - Watch Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

A report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ2 review of local performance within Cowal, Isle of Bute and Dunoon for 2021-22 was considered by the Group.

Discussion focused on the way in which investigations are undertaken to establish the causes of fires and what public safety information had be issued to local residents.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group reviewed and noted the contents of the report.

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

The Chair ruled, and the Group agreed, to change the order of business in order to facilitate partner attendance.  The items were discussed in the order they appear in the minute.

Presentation by Fiona Samuel – Rothesay Boys Brigade

The Group considered a presentation from Fiona Samuel on the activities of the Rothesay Boys Brigade, which is a volunteer-led Christian youth organisation with a focus on providing a safe place for young people to learn, grow and discover.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group:

1.    considered and noted the information provided; and

2.    congratulated Fiona Samuel on an excellent presentation and thanked all those at Rothesay Boys Brigade on the good work done.

(Reference: Presentation by Fiona Samuel, Rothesay Boys Brigade, dated 2 November 2021, submitted)

Update by Brian Smith - Community Leaning Team Leader, Live Argyll

The Group considered an update from Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Learning Service (CLS).  The CLS detailed that they had moved back to Thematic remits for Adult Learning and Youth Services Work whilst continuing to engage and work with both Partners and Learners to establish and deliver support provision around identified needs and collective Partnership working.

Decision

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

(Reference: Update by Community Learning and Development Assistant, dated 2 November 2021, submitted)

Argyll College

Fay Tudor advised that the new academic year had started which was being held partially in person prioritised on a needs basis with the rest of students being supported remotely. The Group noted that there was a continuation of support for those in digital poverty such as students being provided with dongles and laptops; there was new staff in Rothesay; and an open day would take place in the coming weeks with details to be posted on their website.

Business Gateway

Barbara Halliday advised that the Business Gateway had supported businesses through the Scottish Government covid grant process for existing businesses as well as business start-ups. Barbara highlighted that those in the food, drink and tourism sector had a good summer and had adapted well during the pandemic but that some  businesses were struggling with online competition and retaining and recruiting staff with Brexit continuing to impact on businesses involved in imports and exports. Due to the move to more digital ways of working the Group noted that Business Gateway was able to offer workshops delivered via webinars which had increased accessibility and they were able to offer more subjects  compared to pre-pandemic, resulting in increases in their client base. This had culminated in customer satisfaction rates being above the Scottish Government’s national average.

Fyne Futures

Lorna Bryden advised that the second cohort had now began their 26 week programme which is a paid placement based on developing horticultural skills. The placement follows a formalised personal development plan with work experience placements and volunteering opportunities.

Presentation by Alex Edmonstone - Active Schools And Sport Manager, Live Argyll

The Group considered a report on the on the development of the Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategic Plan for 2021-2024 and noted that if partners wished to link into the CLD they are invited to email CLD@liveargyll.co.uk

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group:

1.    noted the content of the new plan and acknowledged clear synergy between the identified Community Learning and Development priorities and those of the Community Planning Partnership; and

2.    recognised the importance of community capacity building support and the need for partners to focus Community Learning and Development activity on the most disadvantaged communities.

(Reference: Report by Business Development Manager, dated 2 November 2021, submitted)

Presentation by Susan MacRae - Area Manager, Skills Development Scotland

The Group considered a presentation by Susan MacRae, Area Manager for Skills Development Scotland on school leaver destinations for 16 to 19-year-olds in Scotland who were participating in education, training or employment between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021.

Discussion focussed on ensuring that support and opportunities for all young people was maintained when they leave education.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Susan MacRae, Area Manager, dated 2 November 2021, submitted)

Presentation by Lucy Sumsion - Argyll & the Islands Regional Manager, National Farmers Union Scotland (to follow)

Lucy Sumsion - National Farmers Union Scotland, had submitted her apologies and the Group agreed to continue the item.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the position and agreed to continue the item.

Opportunity for updates on community based initiatives from Community Planning Partners

The Committee Manager highlighted items that were discussed at the Climate Change Working Group held on Friday 10 September 2021 and the minutes of that meeting were circulated to the Group.

The Group noted that Bute would be featured as island of the month by the Scottish Island Federation due to its response to climate change and discussion focused on how festivals and events, such as bonfire night, can be supported whilst ensuring any carbon issues are augmented.

Decision

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

Discussion facilitated by Vice-Chair and Committee Manager

The Committee Manager opened a discussion on covid-19 resilience and stated that suggestions had been submitted from:

1.    Anne Campbell (Dunoon Area Alliance) who suggested that the Group consider the model set up by Bute Resilience Group and ask them for their views on how their volunteer training and links with emergency services had prepared them for the covid challenge; and how Scotland's Regeneration Network (SURF) gathered over 150 examples of community responses to lockdown from across Scotland; and

2.    Sue Wallis who highlighted the Volunteer Cowal South West organisation -

https://www.facebook.com/Volunteer-Cowal-South-West-104145671239460/  which was a group of about 65 volunteers who were mainly involved in delivering prescriptions from the GP surgery to patients. This service had saved the surgery having to deal with this difficult aspect when they had enough adapting to do. The Group had ran for over a year with funding being received for travel costs and for PPE. It also meant there was a known Group of people for any other tasks that needed doing quickly. Even though this Group is not as active now they remain in place if required.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group agreed to invite the Bute Resilience Group, Scotland's Regeneration Network and Volunteer Cowal South West to present updates on their organisations’ long-term community resilience to a future meeting.

The next meeting will take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 1 February 2022

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group would take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 1 February 2022 with venue details to be confirmed in due course.