Venue: Queen's Hall, Dunoon
Contact: Eilidh FitzPatrick, Area Governance Assistant 01369 707135
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Apologies Minutes: Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of the following:- Alison Black, Rape Crisis Andrew Maclure Strathclyde Fire & Rescue |
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Minutes |
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Minutes of Meeting of 6th September 2011 PDF 61 KB Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of 6th September 2011 were approved as a correct record. |
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proposed acquisition of Stronafian Forest and the potential for a renewable energy development - Rhona Sutherland Minutes: The Group heard from Mr Charles Dixon-Spain of the Colintraive & Glendaruel Development Trust on their aspirations to acquire Stronafian Forest for a potential renewable energy development. Mr Dixon-Spain explained that the Trust are hoping to purchase the forest in Spring/Summer 2012 by a combination of commercial forest lease and grant funding. The windfarm will be an extension to Cruach Mhor Windfarm and will be 49.9% owned by the Trust and 50.1% by Carbon Free. The Trusts vision is to provide significant benefit in perpetuity to the community rather than just over the lifespan of the windfarm. Decision The Group noted the information provided. |
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budget consultation - Argyll & Bute Council Minutes: The Group heard from the Leader of the Council on the budget
challenges that the public sector are facing.
The Leader advised the purpose of the meeting was to seek views and
encourage the public to get involved on which services are important and how
the services should be delivered. The
Leader continued by outlining what the Council provides to the public and how
the Council savings will impact on the community. The Leader spoke on stimulating the economic
activity and promoting tourism in the area with the sustainability of the Cowal Games, National Mod and other important events. He also spoke on the £30m investment in the
regeneration of the town centres. The Link Director spoke on the amount the Council has to
save in the next four years and explained how the budget has been spent in
previous years. The Link Director spoke
on the action already agreed including service reviews and increase of
fees. The Link Director explained that
the Council is a changing organisation with the reduction in the workforce. He spoke on the performance of the Council
advising that higher grade results continue to show improved performance, there
has been 0 delayed discharges for more than 12 months, and over 40% of waste is
being recycled and composted. The Link Director
also spoke on Economic Development including the CHORD Project, Renewable
Energy, Business Gateway and Bids for external funds. The Link Director encouraged people to get
involved saying there was a budget simulator on the Council’s website as well
as cards and an on-line survey. Viv Smith the Locality Manager for
NHS Highland gave her presentation on the Community Health Partnership. She spoke on the increasing levels of health
need, quality being paramount and the characteristics of service delivery. The Locality Manager also spoke on NHS
Highland’s financial context for 2012/13 and specifically to Argyll &
Bute. She spoke on how the Community
Health Partnership currently spends its budget and the challenges for the
coming year. Lorna Alquist spoke on behalf of
Argyll Voluntary Action, she advised that the voluntary sector have always been
able to draw external funding but this picture is rapidly changing as funds
become even more competitive and funders restrict grants. She advised that opportunities do exist they
are just harder to find. Chief Inspector Mosley spoke on the changes to Strathclyde
Police advising the cuts were to back office staff and the public should
continue not to notice the difference.
He spoke on the local youth initiative that was recently carried out in
partnership with the Grammar School the Help project and the local Drug and
Alcohol Forum. The Public asked questions on the social care package
falling into the voluntary sector, adult care, if there was going to be savings
to learning disability, if the Council were having to save the statutory
requirements of the Council, if the services in the NHS are safe, the future of
Dunoon Community Hospital, rationalisation of Council
offices, sharing services with other Councils, cost effective rural recycling,
clarification on service reviews, how the Council receives its money, and the
clarification on the service review of Estates. These questions were responded
to by the partners as appropriate Decision The Group noted the information provided and agree the public questions will be fed into the Budget Process. |
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Updates from Partners Minutes: Decision It was agreed to continue this item until the next meeting. |
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Third Sector update Minutes: Decision It was agreed to continue this item until the next meeting. |
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Cowal Community Hospital Minutes: The Caucus of Community Councils advised that this item had been covered during the budget presentation and they were happy to hear that Dunoon Community Hospital was safe. Decision Noted the information provided. |
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Condition of Roads in particular in Rothesay Minutes: Decision It was agreed to continue this item until the next meeting. |
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Rationalisation of Council offices Minutes: Decision This item was discussed during the Budget Consultation. |
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The role of partners within LACPG Minutes: Decision It was agreed to continue this item until the next meeting. |
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Travel expenses for Community Councillors Minutes: Decision The Caucus of Community Councils advised that this item had been resolved at the Association of Community Council meeting. |