Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

Lauren Worrell, NFU Scotland;

Juliette Gill, Hunters Quay Community Council;

Alex Wilde, Shaping Places for Wellbeing, Improvement Service;

Becky Hothersall, Shaping Places for Wellbeing, Improvement Service;

Sue McKillop, Scenic Sandbank;

Jean Moffat, Bute Community Council;

Martin Gerrish, Grow Food Grow Dunoon;

Tom McFarlane, Department for Work and Pensions;

Councillor Liz McCabe;

Inspector Barry Convery, Police Scotland; and

Stephen Kelly, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minutes of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 15 August 2023 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Committee Manager

Consideration was given to a briefing note which provided information on matters discussed during a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee, held on 7 September 2023.

The Committee Manager highlighted the matters arising from Area Community Planning Groups specifically the request from the Bute and Cowal ACPG for a meeting to discuss the Dunoon-Gourock car ferry. The Committee Manager invited Robert Trybis from the Dunoon Gourock Ferry Action Group to provide an update from the meeting which took place on 30 October 2023.

Mr Trybis advised that he had met with the Chair of the CPP Management Committee and others where he had asked whether Argyll and Bute Council would consider the long-term lease of the linkspan in Dunoon to suitable community groups. Mr Trybis also advised that the Action Group are liaising with authorities in Gourock regarding the renewed vehicle handling service as well as approaching Community Councils in the area to get their support on this matter.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 31 October 2023, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to a report and presentation from Rory Munro, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, on the adult health and wellbeing profile for the Bute and Cowal Area.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Public Health Intelligence Team, dated March 2023, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on fraud prevention and awareness, specifically Sextortion; bereavement support; road safety; community intelligence; youth engagement activities and coastline safety.

Discussion took place in relation to Sextortion and it was suggested that campaign information could be placed in male public toilets where victims of this crime may see it.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ2 review of local performance across Bute and Cowal for the period 2023-24. The report included information on the local firefighter training plan; incidents during this time period; unwanted fire alarm signals; road and water safety campaigns; community engagement activities; East and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Local Senior Officer Activities and home fire safety.

Councillor Sinclair recorded his thanks to the newly passed emergency driver in Dunoon Fire Station.

Decision

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

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

Consideration was given to a public health update from Rory Munro, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership on the ongoing wellbeing and prevention activities overseen and delivered by the HSCP Public Health Team in Argyll and Bute. The update provided information on the alcohol and drug partnership with it being highlighted that the Scottish Government consultation on Minimum Unit Pricing is now live. Information was also provided on the alcohol and drug partnership grant funding to support the delivery of alcohol and drug prevention work in local communities; the Coproduction training which was undertaken by two members of the public health team; the support given on the provision of Good conversations training; the adult health profiles produced by the Health intelligence Team and the child health profiles which are due to be published in November.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update by the Programme Manager, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership on the GP relocation project. Naomi Swann highlighted that the project would see the move of the Church Street Surgery and Cowal & Bute Medical Practice (Argyll Street site), to a new, fit for purpose, shared and disability compliant building within the Cowal Community Hospital site. Naomi advised that there is a community engagement event in the Burgh Hall in Dunoon on the 14th November with everyone welcome to come and give their views.

It was noted that a presentation on the project would be circulated to the Group following the meeting.

 Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Programme Manager, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to an update from Janis Marshall Reilly from Argyll and Bute TSI. The update included information on the work in response to the cost of living crisis; local strategic partnerships; the recruitment of new NHS Highland Board members and the work on the application to receive funding for the Climate Action Network.

The update also provided information on the use of the Inveraray Hub; new products to help deliver social change more efficiently; year 3 funding for the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund; Staffing changes; events held during the last quarter and social media presence.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Support Advisor, Argyll and Bute TSI, dated October, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update by Rhona Altin, UHI Argyll. The update highlighted that since the last meeting, staff and students have settled into the new academic year and that all further education and higher national students are now required to attend classes from their local centres as opposed to logging in from home.

The update also provided information on the 2023 graduation which was held in September; courses that are available and a planned open day in November with provisional open days also scheduled for January, March and June 2024.

Rhona highlighted that there had been a low uptake in Autumn courses and added that courses available to start in January are on the UHI website.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by UHI Argyll, dated 17 October 2023, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to an update from Rhona Grant, Live Argyll - Community Learning Services. The update provided information relating to adult literacy and numeracy provision and management changes including a new Services and Support Manager; Commercial Operations Manager and an Active Schools and Sports Manager.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Team Leader – Community Learning Services, Live Argyll, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from Argyll and Bute Citizen’s Advice Bureau which provided statistical information on the number of clients  who had contacted the Bureau between January and September 2023; the recruitment campaign for volunteer advisors; the annual programme of energy efficiency advice sessions and services that the Bureau provide.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau, dated October 2023, submitted)

Sandbank Community Development Trust

John Parker highlighted that a recent Sandbank Development Trust consultation exercise regarding the Community Action Plan had received a 20% response rate with interesting outcomes resulting from this. Mr Parker advised that they plan to present their findings at a meeting in November and that the next stage is to invite local businesses to provide feedback. Mr Parker added that there was an appetite for the Community Council to be re-established, which would prove helpful to the Trust.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Development Team

Ailie Law advised Partners of a housing emergency survey which could be found on Basecamp in relation to the emergency declared by the Council in June. Ailie also highlighted that the Community Development Team had recruited a new Engagement and Communities Lead, Suzanne Mason whose role will involve managing the Community Development team, working with other services in the Council and managing the Supporting Communities Fund. Ailie added that there would be a new temporary Community Development Officer for Bute and Cowal joining the team next month who will be job sharing with her.

Time for Change Argyll and Bute

Angela Anderson highlighted that Time for Change Argyll and Bute have a hybrid round table warm homes event with Councillors and Council Officers planned for Friday 3^rd November in Lochgilphead with the main topic being home insulation and retrofitting. Angela added that Time for Change were also very pleased on the progress towards establishing the Argyll and Bute Regional Climate Hub.

Dunoon Community Development Trust

Ann Campbell highlighted that Dunoon Community Development Trust have their 3^rd Annual General Meeting scheduled for Monday 6^th November at 7pm in the Queen’s Hall with all welcome to attend. Ann also advised that the Trust are soon to start work on the Active Travel Network looking at small scale interventions that can help improve everyday walking, cycling and wheeling.

Update by Project Lead - Dunoon

Consideration was given to a written update from Alex Wilde, Project Lead at Shaping Places for Wellbeing Dunoon. The update provided information on how they share their learning, with it being highlighted that they now have a designated webpage for Dunoon on the Shaping Places for Wellbeing website; a knowledge hub page and a blog series. The update also provided information on the Active travel Plan for Dunoon; Place and Wellbeing assessments and training opportunities to better understand available data about inequalities for Dunoon.

Ailie Law highlighted that partners could join the Knowledge Hub page to get involved with the Project happening in Dunoon.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group:

1.          considered and noted the information provided; and

2.          noted that in the absence of a representative from Shaping Places for Wellbeing Dunoon, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group

(Reference: Report by Project Lead, Shaping Places for Wellbeing, Dunoon)

Discussion facilitated by Committee Manager

The Committee Manager highlighted that road safety concerns in Sandbank had been raised at the Bute and Cowal Area Committee in September under the Roads and Infrastructure item where it was agreed to bring the matter to the Community Planning Group for discussion. Mr McLean advised that the matter had previously been raised at the Area Committee in December by a local resident, Liz Neilson, who highlighted that the Community were concerned with traffic speeding through Sandbank and the general lack of road safety measures along the entirety of the road.

Councillor Sinclair highlighted that within the last 12 months, there had been four serious accidents within the stretch of the 30mph road in Sandbank with one incident resulting in loss of life.

Sergeant Eddie McGunnigal advised that the four recorded accidents were not attributed to speed and advised that the speed survey carried out by Argyll and Bute Council didn’t show a high percentage of speeding. Sergeant McGunnigal further advised that Police Scotland continue to undertake speed checks and have provided communities with new speed limit wheelie bin stickers to encourage drivers to stick to the limit and that they are currently working on a community speed watch team in the area. Sergeant McGunnigal added that the Police are happy to support any speed calming initiatives.

Tony McGloin advised that the Fire Service did attend the four mentioned incidents and that they are very active highlighting road safety with Road Safety Scotland Material. Tony highlighted that the Service will soon have virtual reality headsets to train young drivers.

Discussion took place in relation to children walking alongside the road, with partners raising concerns for their safety.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group:

1.          considered and noted the information provided; and

2.          requested that the Roads and Infrastructure Services consider what appropriate road safety measures could be introduced within the locality and these be presented to a future meeting.

The Chair left the meeting at this point and the Vice-Chair took over as Chair.

Presentation by Heartstart Nurse Lead / Training Supervisor

The Group gave consideration to a presentation by Angela McNeill from Heartstart. The presentation included information on the aims of Heartstart; who they are; why the emergency life support is taught; what you should do if you are in the position where someone needs CPR and general information on Heartstart Cowal.

Discussion took place in relation to how Partners could support Heartstart with some partners offering to share information and provide a space for associated training.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Nurse Lead/Training Supervisor, Heartstart)

Verbal update by Representative

Angela Anderson highlighted that across Argyll and Bute, Climate Change has been on everyone’s mind since the heavy rain fall of a couple of weeks ago and highlighted an article written by Councillor Currie and the Chief Executive of the Council on what we needs to be done and how much help is required.

Angela advised that the new CPP Climate Change Project Manager, Andy MacPherson, will be in position by 30^th November and that he lives in the Bute and Cowal area and has an excellent professional background in environmental and sustainable development projects in various authorities and public bodies. Angela added that Andy’s focus will be on mitigation and adaptation at a strategic level for the CPP.

Decision

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

(Reference: Verbal presentation from Angela Anderson, Representative of the Climate Change Working Group)

Verbal update from Angela Anderson

Angela Anderson highlighted that the consortium of Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT), Third Sector Interface (TSI) and Time for Change had submitted an application for the Climate Hub and had presented the application to the Scotgov Advisory Board on Friday 27^th October. Angela added that they expect to hear of the outcome of the bid during the latter half of November.

Angela also highlighted that they had applied for funding for four part-time posts, one for each of the four administrative areas and that ACT will supply day to day support, TSI will provide ICT and secretariat assistance and TfC will assist as needed.

Decision

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

(Reference: Verbal presentation from Angela Anderson, Time for Change Argyll and Bute)

There were no verbal updates provided under this item.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 6 February 2024.

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group would take place on Tuesday 6 February 2024.

The Vice-Chair thanked everyone in attendance at the meeting, and highlighted that this meeting was Charles’ last meeting as Chair, advising that a report would be considered at the next meeting seeking nominations to this position.

The Vice-Chair encouraged partners to consider whether this was a role that they would be interested in fulfilling and if so to please contact the Committee Manager for further details.

The Committee Manager recorded his thanks to Charles for all his commitment and support as Chair of the Group.