Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of the following:-

Viv Smith, NHS Highland

Jane McKenzie, Scottish Water

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minutes of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting of 4^th December 2012 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting of 8^th January 2013 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Jackie Dickson, NHS Highland

The Group heard an informative presentation from Alison McGrory, NHS Highland on health screening programmes including Bowel, Breast, Cervical, Diabetic Retinopathy and the introduction of a new screening programme called Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Sue Minns requested information on the AAA Screening to be given to her so she can advise the Community Council and Alison McGrory said she would get leaflets/information given to her.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Councillor Breslin intimated his apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Report by the Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator

This item was continued to the June meeting.

Update by the Area Governance Manager

The IOD Project Officer spoke on the consideration of the Area Forum events and asked to finalise the group’s intentions with regard to the event.

Decision

The Group agreed to hold an event one Saturday in September to be held in Dunoon Grammar School.  The Group further agreed a small working group to be set up including Councillor Marshall, Liz Marion, Eileen Wilson, Max Barr, a representative from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and a representative from AVA to take this event forward.

Report by the IOD Project Officer

The Group heard from the IOD Project Officer on the current Community Plan /SOA.  The IOA Project Officer advised the first draft of the document will be given to the Scottish Government in April and is due to be compete by June.

Councillor Marshall advised that Councillor Walsh had some concerns regarding the economic aspect for the SOA and the IOD Project Officer advised that Members will have an opportunity to comment at the Council meeting in March.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Cowal Befrienders

The Group heard an informative presentation from Pauline Livingstone on the Cowal Elderly Befriending Scheme. She spoke on the aims of the befriending scheme the context of their work, loneliness and wellbeing, project demographics, their information service, referrals, and funding.

Chief Inspector Stitt asked about the referrals and Pauline advised they received referrals from the Social Work Department and also refer people to Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Telecare, Care and Repair, Pet Care, Church etc.

Decision

The Group noted the first class service being provided by the Cowal Elderly Befriending Scheme.

Unpaid Work

Public Entertainment Licences
Parking in Dunoon
Data Protection Act

Unpaid Work

The Area Governance Manager spoke on the role of Unpaid Work and the work being undertaken by squads of offenders in the local community.  Sue Minns advised that it is normally older people who require gardening to be done who contact the team but the HELP project also have a team that can help. 

Public Entertainment Licences

The Area Governance Manager advised this had been discussed at the Public Protection, Service and Licensing Committee and a leaflet has been produced.  She explained that the leaflet will not been distributed until the permanent scheme is approved later this Spring.

Sue Minns said there were a lot of people who didn’t know about the Act and there were also a lot of Councils who are not going to charge the £40.

Councillor Marshall advised that Argyll and Bute Council’s interim position is not to charge the £40 but this will change in June.  It was agreed the Area Governance Manager would write to the Head of Governance and Law on behalf of the Group to ask for the continuation of non charging for this licence.

Parking in Dunoon

Sue Minns spoke on the parking clock where residents pay a nominated fee every year and then don’t have to pay the car park fee.   The Roads Engineer spoke on the provision of the discs and having disc zones.  The Area Governance Manager asked for this idea to be fed into the parking review process and the Group asked for a report to be brought back to the June meeting.

Data Protection Act

Sue Minns advised that all Community Councils should be registering under the Data Protection Act and asked if the Council could fund the costs associated with this.  The Area Governance Manager advised she would get the Council’s Governance and Risk Manager to send out something to Community Councils explaining the need for them to register with the Act and that the administration grant paid to Community Councils should cover the costs.

Report by Sue Gledhill Highland and Islands Enterprise

The Group heard from the Area Governance Manager on the recommendation that the Destination Dunoon and Cowal Steering Group holds no further meetings and responsibility for monitoring the deliver of the reports passes to the Area Community Planning Group.

Decision

The Group agreed to the recommendations.

NHS Highland

Strathclyde Police

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue

Scottish Water

Argyll Voluntary Action

Community Safety Forums

Cowal Transport Forum

Forward Dunoon & Cowal

Cowal Marketing Partnership

Strathclyde Police

Chief Inspector Stitt spoke on the new national police force Police Scotland advising it would have 3 separate areas, North, East and West.  He explained this area would be West and further explained the structure.  Chief Inspector Stitt advised that it would be business as usual for the local communities and spoke on the local policing plan.  Chief Inspector Stitt further advised that the Anti Social Behaviour Sub-group was doing well with a 50% drop in ASBO behaviour.  There will be an open day at the Police Station on 26^th March from 10am to 2pm and the mobile police office is being utilised daily.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue

John Rae from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue spoke on the new national force and its structure advising it would be business as usual.  He spoke on the fire and rescue service priorities for Argyll and Bute and the local fire and rescue plan.

Scottish Water

Having received apologies from Scottish Water this item was continued to the June meeting.

Councillor Macintyre intimated his apologies and left the meeting at this stage.  Councillor Marshall took over the Chair.

AVA

Alistair McLaren advised that AVA are sill offering support to the Community Councils for the community resilience plans and further advised the he was wanting nominations for the volunteer awards.

Lorna Ahlquist spoke on the Rock up in Red roadshow and asked if anybody wished a stall to contact her.

Community Safety Forums

The Area Governance Manager spoke on the report submitted by the Community Safety Forums.  Councillor Marshall advised the Cowal Community Safety Forum was holding a small Safe and Sound event in Strachur.

Cowal Transport Forum

The Area Governance Manager spoke on the report submitted by the Cowal Transport Forum advising the group is trying to get ticket recognition for Argyll Ferry tickets on Western Ferries when the ferry is cancelled.  The group is also trying to get the bus connections to Invercylde Hospital sorted out.

Forward Dunoon and Cowal and the Cowal Marketing Group

The Area Governance Manger advised that these group were going to try having one meeting and amalgamating rather than having separate meetings.

Cowal Highland Gathering

Councillor Marshall updated the meeting regarding the problems associated with the RSPB Championship and the Cowal Highland Gathering.  Councillor Marshall advised the Council were involved and were optimistic of a solution.

The Area Governance Manager spoke on the Review of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils advising there were meetings scheduled to discuss this.  She further advised the Community Council Elections would take place in September/October this year.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.