Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

Councillor Ross Moreland;

Councillor Audrey Forrest;

Dee James, Bute and Cowal Living Well Network;

Sergeant Sophie Marshall, Police Scotland;

Rhona Grant, Community Learning Services, Live Argyll;

Janis Marshall Reilly, Argyll and Bute TSI;

Susan MacRae, Skills Development Scotland; and

Becky Hothersall, The Poverty Alliance;

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 30 April 2024 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership and Alcohol and Drug Partnership Coordinator, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

Consideration was given to a public health update from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team on the ongoing wellbeing and prevention activities overseen and delivered by them in Argyll and Bute. The update provided information on the positive outcomes from the evaluation of the Community Link Working Service in Argyll and Bute; Suicide Prevention Activity aimed at providing resources needed to understand and improve mental health and understanding and preventing suicide; World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September; and the Art of hosting at The Living Well Programme.

The update also provided information on alcohol and drug prevention and early intervention; families affected by alcohol and drugs; medically assisted treatment standards; The Argyll and Bute Mat 8 Group and recovery orientated systems of care.

Decision

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

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

Report by Public Health Team, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

The Group gave consideration to a presentation on Community Link Working. The presentation highlighted that Community Link Working is part of Modernising Primary Care and that Community Link Workers follow a social prescribing model.  Community Link Workers are embedded in GP Practises and aim to address socio-economic and person circumstances that affect health and wellbeing to improve the outcomes for patients and reduce pressure of GP’s time. The presentation also provided information on the Argyll and Bute Model; the Argyll and Bute Impact; and client feedback.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report and Presentation by Public Health Team, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, submitted)

Report by TEC Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

Consideration was given to an update in relation to the Analogue to Digital Telecare Switchover. It was highlighted that all telephone lines within the UK are migrating from analogue lines to digital ones and that the deadline for this is June 2025 with this being led by industry (the telephone providers). As a consequence of this Telecare requires to switch analogue devices to ones that are compatible with a digital telephone line (broadband) or which operate over the mobile signal.

It was highlighted that there is a programme to swap over all analogue units with digital ones and that it was currently being rolled out and that the Telecare team are continuing to focus on those who have already moved onto a digital line and those who live in areas of very good mobile signal.

It was noted that 46.5% of all clients in Argyll and Bute currently have a digitally capable telecare device and that if people do transfer to a digital line but live in an area with no mobile signal, that they have a work-around solution that enables them to still have telecare whilst they are awaiting connection via broadband/the digital line. It was advised that the Telecare team will continue to support both analogue and digital telecare devices for as long as required and will not be insisting that people have to be on a digital line in order to receive telecare if they still have an analogue line in their property.

Councillor Sinclair highlighted his concerns for what would happen should there be a power outage, advising that previously with an analogue system you could plug in an older type of phone and it would work.

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 the Technology Enabled Care Team, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group.

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

Report by Network and Standards Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Sandbank traffic management community meeting held on 30 May 2024. The meeting was organised by Argyll and Bute Roads and Infrastructure Services staff with local community representatives, elected members and the Sandbank Community Development Trust invited to attend to discuss various issues including speeding on the A815, general condition of roads and pavements, pedestrian crossing facilities and on road parking.

Partners who attended the meeting thanked Hugh O’Neill and his team for the very informative meeting and advised that they have a better understanding and insight into the issues around traffic regulations and associated funding pressures.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the update in relation to the initial meeting between the Sandbank Community Development Trust, local residents, local elected members and Council officers.

(Report by Network and Standards Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ1 review of local performance across Bute and Cowal for the period 2024-25. The report included information on the local firefighter training plan; incidents during this 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. 

Decision

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

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

The Group gave consideration to an update from Reeni Kennedy-Boyle from Fyne Futures. The update highlighted that Bute Produce had reopened to the public and that Fyne Futures had held a very successful event on the 21 June which saw over 50 people take part in a range of activities. The update also provided information on a new programme of activities; Bike Bute activities; ReStyle’s venture into West Cowal; the Incredible Edible Bute volunteer programme; the Employability programme which has begun and the Cookery skills programme which is being ran again.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Fyne Futures, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from Rhona Altin, UHI Argyll. The update included information on an open day held in June for applicants and potential students and activity and information sessions on Early Years education and funding. The update also provided information on funding received to continue the multiple programme; forthcoming commercial courses; new courses for the academic year 2024-25 and the “Keep Warm” project which is up and running.

Rhona highlighted that students return on the 26 August and that there is still availability on the Maritime Skills Course, which is a 17 weeks full time course.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by UHI Argyll, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from Argyll and Bute TSI. The update provided information on policy activity; local strategic partnerships; TSI Scotland, contracts, sector support and strategic action plan delivery; the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Year 4 grant; General Elections hustings held in Oban and Helensburgh; the Taking Action on Rural Poverty workshop event held in June and the Wellbeing Development Manager role.

Decision

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

(Report by Argyll and Bute TSI, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to a written update from Rhona Grant, Live Argyll - Community Learning Services. The update provided information relating to a celebration day event held in May for adult learners and Youth Services School Partnership programmes in collaboration with the Scottish Government and other Scottish Attainment Challenge partners to promote the role of youth work in closing the poverty-related attainment gap.

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 Live Argyll Community Learning Services, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group.

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

Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Planning Partnership

John McLuckie highlighted that a development session had been held with the Community Planning Partnership on 26 June where they discussed the proposed national self-assessment programme for Community Planning Partnerships; the promotion of the new outcomes improvement plan for Argyll and Bute; approaches to developing actions needed to deliver the new priority outcomes for the plan and how the cross cutting themes of Community Wealth Building, Digital Inclusion and climate change would fit into these actions.

John advised that the next meeting of the Community Planning Partnership is on 16 September and that the Community Planning team have created a promotional leaflet and short video to explain what the Community Planning Partnership is and what the priority outcomes are, to assist partners with promoting the new plan.  John agreed to circulate details of the promotional materials following the meeting.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Development Team

Amie Dow highlighted that a free craft workshop for cycling and walking in the dark was being held on 5 October at the Pier Building in Dunoon in conjunction with the opening of the Cycle Bothy and that they are also having a treasure hunt in the Castle Gardens. Amie added that the same workshops are being delivered to schools on Fridays throughout September.

Amie further advised that she is currently working with community land managing organisations across Bute and Cowal and that if partners knew of any community land managing organisations where food growing is a priority to make her aware of them.

Dunoon Community Development Trust

Ann Campbell highlighted that Dunoon Community Development Trust had now taken over the lease for Castle House Gate Lodge and would be using it as base for ‘What’s on Dunoon’ which is a community led events website and that they are, currently recruiting information volunteers with a planned drop in being held on 21 August at 11am for anyone who is interested in finding out more information.  

Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on serious and organised crime; acquisitive crime; road safety and road crime; violent crime; public protection; fraud prevention and awareness; the work of the Youth Engagement Officer for Bute and Cowal and the continued work on pro-actively engaging with the public in Cowal and Bute.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted)

Presentation by Rachel McGruer, Scottish Government

Consideration was given to a presentation by Rachael McGruer, Place Director at the Scottish Government. The presentation highlighted that the role of Place Directors is to understand how public services can best work together and support partners to work with communities across Scotland. The presentation also included information on Place Directors responsibilities; the history of Place Directors with it being highlighted that they have existed since 2008 and prior to 2022 were known as Location Directors; and personal involvement such as attendance at CPP meetings and supporting visits for the Permanent Secretary and Travelling Cabinet.

Decision  

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

(Reference: Presentation by Place Director, Scottish Government)

Presentation by CEO, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface

Consideration was given to a presentation by Takki Sulaiman, Argyll and Bute TSI, in relation to Community Wealth Building. The presentation highlighted what Community Wealth Building is, related local activities and the actions being taken forward by the CPP Management Committee to develop and integrate the model.

Takki encouraged the Group to consider what actions they would like to see to establish Community Wealth Building within the locality and whether a local Working Group would be beneficial and whether this would take an athematic or place-based approach; integrating the Community Wealth Building work into a Local Place Plan or if there were any training needs of the Group.

Reeni Kennedy-Boyle advised that she would be interested in getting involved and would like further discussions on this and what existing community benefits are available across Argyll and Bute.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by CEO, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface)

Presentation by Bute Community Forest

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Nikki Brown from Bute Community Forest. Nikki advised that the charity was formed in 2009 and that they are responsible for the community ownership and management of the forest which is 160 hectors of mixed woodlands located at the north end of the Isle of Bute.

It was highlighted that that the focus is on responsible management and managing access and engaging with people in the woodlands through engagement events and that they work with a number of local and regional groups.

Nikki provided information of projects undertaken; future plans; events which had been held and funding received.

It was highlighted that a Forest Ranger has been in post for just over 2 years and that they have partnered with the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Foundation to deliver a joint crowd funding campaign to raise money to support the continued Forest Ranger post.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Project Officer, Bute Community Forest)

There were no verbal updates provided under this item.

Report by Partnerships Lead – Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council

Consideration was given to communication toolkits produced by Water Safety Scotland for use in developing people’s understanding and awareness of the danger of open water and enabling safe participation in water-based activities.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided for promoting water safety for kayaking/canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding.

(Reference: Report by Water Safety Scotland, submitted)

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 5 November 2024.

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group would take place on Tuesday 5 November 2024.