Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from –

 

Michelle Mundie - Chief Executive - Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd

Sharon MacDonald - Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

Theresa Bain and Sheena Finlay - Argyll College UHI

Dee Hancock – Health and Wellbeing Network, Network Bute

Rhona Grant – Community Learning Service, Live Argyll

Jen Broadhurst - Argyll and Bute Citizen’s Advice Bureau

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group held on 19 April 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Group gave consideration to a briefing note providing an overview of the discussion that took place at the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee which had met virtually on 22 June 2022.

 

Stuart McLean, Committee Manager spoke to the report highlighting updates on topics Shaping Places for Wellbeing project; climate change and child poverty; financial inclusion; digital communities; Building Back Better; Outcome 6 – People Live In Safer And Stronger Communities; upcoming Community Planning Partnership work; the annual report; revision of the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan; MSYP; Levelling Up Fund; Outcome 1; Scottish Government Place Directors; and feedback on Digital Meeting Platform for the Community Planning Partnership.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference:  Report by Shona Barton, Committee Manager dated 16 August 2022, submitted)

The Group considered an update from PC Laura Evans, Police Scotland which highlighted topics including resourcing, local events, ongoing work of note; Ukrainian support, doorstep crime guidance; road safety; youth engagement; suicide prevention; and Your Police Survey.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the content of the update.

 

(Reference:  Report by PC Laura Evans, Police Scotland dated 16 August 2022, submitted)

The Group considered a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ1 review of local performance and activity across Bute and Cowal for the period 2022-23. The report was presented to the Group by Watch Commanders Rodden Shaw and Gordon Boyle.

 

The Chair, Charles Dixon Spain, referred to a recent dwelling fire in the area and enquired about whether a follow up report on lessons learned would be available.  Watch Commander Boyle advised that an operational assurance team liaise with the crews in attendance to identify any learning outcomes and also the things that had gone well at an incident.  He advised that if there were any lessons learned from an incident the crews would liaise with the appropriate agencies.  Councillor Blair said that it would be useful for Community Councils to view these reports to provide reassurance.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the content of the update.

 

(Reference: Report by Barry Colvan, watch Commander/Local Authority Liaison Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dated 16 August 2022, submitted)

 

The Group gave consideration to an update report submitted by UHI including information on the courses currently being studied at UHI Argyll in Rothesay; current Skills for Work courses being studied by secondary school students and NQ courses being studied by the wider community.  The report also provided information on work that was being undertaken with the SAWA project.  There was no one in attendance from UHI to present the report to the meeting.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group –

 

1.    noted the content of the update report; and

 

2.    noted that in the absence of a representative from UHI Argyll - Rothesay, any questions would be forwarded to them for a response following the meeting.

 

(Reference:  Report by Sheena Finlay, Assistant Centre Manager (Rothesay), UHI dated 16 August 2022, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to an update report from Argyll and Bute Citizen’s Advice Bureau including information on an unprecedented rise in requests for advice and support from clients across Argyll and Bute; 20^th anniversary celebrations; an increase in energy enquiries due to the cost of living crisis; relocation of the Helensburgh office, the volunteer adviser training programme; attendance at local events and an invitation to partners to join their AGM on 22 November 2022. There was no one in attendance from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau to present the report.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group -

 

1. noted the content of the update report; and

 

2. noted that in the absence of a representative from Citizen’s Advice Bureau, any questions would be forwarded to them for a response following the meeting.

 

(Reference:  Report by Argyll and Bute Citizen’s Advice Bureau dated 16 August 2022, submitted)

The Group received a presentation from Alex Wilde, Shaping Places for Wellbeing Project Lead - Dunoon. Alex advised she was leading on the project which was one of six case study projects across Scotland that have been established by the Improvement Service with two-year funding from the World Health organisation. Alex provided an update on her work so far advising that the project would explore –

 

·         How places can deliver on wellbeing

·         How an approach to place can be further embedded

·         What are the needs and opportunities

 

Themes arising so far included: mental health; addictions; skills and employment; leisure; people transitioning from school to work; and people transitioning from work to retirement. Key groups identified so far included: carers; and women and children. Alex invited partners to get in touch with suggestions of people she should be liaising with.

 

Discussion took place around interaction with the hinterlands and rural needs; and also around the importance of ferries and connectivity. Reeni Kennedy Boyle of Fyne Futures enquired about the data Alex had used to inform the project so far.  She was advised that it was all publicly available data and that Alex would forward links to her via email.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference:  Presentation by Alex Wilde, Improvement Service)

 

 

 

The Group gave consideration to an update report from Public Health covering three areas of work; Money Counts Training, Smoke Free Hospital Grounds Legislation; and Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy Consultation. The report was presented to the Group by Laura Stephenson, Argyll and Bute HSCP.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided in the submitted report.

 

(Reference: Report by Public Health dated 16 August 2022, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to a report from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) providing statistical information on the count of customers on universal credit and legacy benefits; job seekers allowance; employment and support allowance; and income support.  The report also covered information on the work carried out by Dunoon and Rothesay Job Centres, provision for customers on a health journey, Get Britain Working website; new benefits checker; cost of living payment; cost of living: managing your debts; benefit to help with winter fuel bills; special rules for end of life; help with arranging child maintenance digital service; help with costs of childcare, winter fuel payment; Fighting Fraud In The Welfare System Plan; resettlement; new customs IT platform; Best Start Grant School Age Payment; accessing a free TV licence made easier for low income pensioners; and pension credit toolkit.  There was no one in attendance from DWP to present the report.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group -

 

1. noted the content of the update report; and

 

2. noted that in the absence of a representative from DWP, any questions would be forwarded to them for a response following the meeting.

 

(Reference:  Report by Department for Work and Pensions dated 16 August 2022, submitted)

Bute Community Council

 

Robert Macintyre of Bute Community Council raised concerns over the time taken to repair the lift at the ferry terminal in Rothesay and asked for an update on this.  During the meeting, Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, made contact with Marine Operations and advised that the delay had been due to awaiting the arrival of spare parts and that officers were chasing for an update on the timeline for a remedy.

 

 

Skills Development Scotland

 

Susan McRae of Skills Development Scotland provided a verbal update to the Group providing information on work being carried out by career advisers, the exam result helpline; and following up with school leavers to ensure they have suitable support.

 

The Chair asked whether they had experienced a down turn in grades and Stuart McLean, Committee Manager advised that a report would be considered by the Community Services Committee with this information on 25 August 2022 and advised that he would forward the link to the report once it became available.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the verbal update.

 

(Reference:  Verbal report by Susan McRae, Skills Development Scotland)

 

 

Fyne Futures

 

Reeni Kennedy Boyle of Fyne Futures provided the Group with a verbal update including information on the Employability Partnership pilot advising that Skills Development Scotland were welcome to work with them; and discussions with the Scottish Community Network for Climate Change advising that any partners interested in training should provide her with contact details.  The Chair, Charles Dixon Spain, expressed his interest in the training.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the verbal update.

 

(Reference:  Verbal report by Reeni Kennedy Boyle, Fyne Futures)

 

 

Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP)

 

Ryan MacIntyre, MSYP provided a verbal update to the Group which included information on the education change programme; a programme for organisations to make documentation more young person friendly; upcoming roadshows in schools, Cowal Games and work in conjunction with Police Scotland.  He invited any partners to make contact with them if they required any advice on engaging with young people.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the verbal update.

 

(Reference:  Verbal report by Ryan MacIntyre, MSYP)

 

 

Community Development Team

 

Ailie Law of the Community Development Team provided a verbal update to the Group providing information on work undertaken by Community Development including a training needs survey with analysis in conjunction with TSI; a risk management training course; facilitation of the Ukraine Welcome event on 3 August with partners, groups and the Council; and facilitation of a meeting of Development trusts.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the verbal update.

 

(Reference:  Verbal report by Ailie Law, Community Development Officer)

 

Presentation by Hugh O’Hagan, Live Argyll

Hugh O’Hagan of SAWA, which means welcome in Arabic, provided the Group with a presentation on the work of SAWA including the integration of new Scots into communities and helping with job placement.  He informed the Group on activities that they had been involved in such as the repair of old books at Mount Stuart; tree planting and a summer programme of trips to encourage integration.  He advised that the college were providing information on attending universities and that some would be undertaking a  video course.  He provided the group with contact details of SAWA.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference:  Presentation by Hugh O’Hagan, SAWA)

 

Report by Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the work undertaken by the Climate Change Working Group in relation to the production of a Climate Change Action Plan for Argyll and Bute.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference:  Report by Stan Phillips, Chair of CPP Climate Change Working Group)

 

Verbal Update from Argyll and Bute Council Project Manager – Transformation; Roads and Infrastructure Services

Victoria Weir, Project Officer provided a verbal update to the Group on the project for the expansion of electric vehicle charging points in Argyll and Bute to assist with the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars. She advised on the key elements of the three themes of the project – charging on the move, destination charging and residential charging and advised that in order to access funding for the project there was a requirement to produce an evidence based plan.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the verbal update.

 

(Reference:  Verbal update by Victoria Weir, Project Officer)

 

 

There were no verbal updates provided under this item.

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

The date of the next meeting was noted as Tuesday 1 November 2022 at 10.00am.