Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from:

Councillor Robert MacIntyre

Willie Lynch, Bute and Cowal Community CAUCUS

Donald Melville, Business Gateway

Iona MacPhail, ACHA

Carol Keeley, Civil Contingency Officer

Susan McFadyen, Cowal Health and Well Being

Stephen Whiston, Integration Project Manager

 

 

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting of 3 March 2015 was approved as a correct record.

The Area Governance Manager informed the Group that the election of the Chair and Vice Chair to the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group was still outstanding.

The Current Vice Chair of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group invited nominations from around the table for both positions.

 

Election of Chair

Willie Lynch, Bute and Cowal Community Council CAUCUS

Proposer – Iain McNaughton                           Seconder – Kenny Mathieson

 

Election of Vice Chair

Alistair McLaren, Argyll Voluntary Action

Proposer – Councillor Bruce Marshall               Seconder – Councillor Michael Breslin

 

Max Barr, Chair, Argyll Voluntary Action

Proposer – Alistair McLaren                            Seconder – Iain McNaughton

 

On a show of hands votes the group voted 4 votes to 1 in favour of Alistair McLaren being appointed as the Vice Chair to the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group.

 

Decision

It was agreed to elect Willie Lynch and Alistair McLaren as Chair and Vice Chair of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group respectively.

In the absence of the newly appointed Chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group, Alistair McLaren, Vice Chair took the chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Report by Area Governance Manager.

The Area Governance Manager took the Group through a report which provided an update on the membership of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group.

A discussion took place between the Group and the Area Governance Manager on the revision of the Membership and the criteria to become a member.

 

Decision

1.    The Group noted the report.

2.    A further update report to be brought back to the August meeting.

 

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

Report by Area Governance Manager.

The Area Governance Manager took the Group through a report which provided feedback on the discussions that took place at the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee on 27^th March 2015.

A discussion took place between the Members of the group regarding the current Broadband situation and the proposed new installations within the Bute and Cowal Area.

It was noted that the Group expressed concern regarding the uncertainty of Broadband connectivity in rural areas.

 

Decision

1.    The Group noted the report.

2.    An Invitation to be sent to BT asking them to attend the August meeting.

3.    A Letter to be drafted to BT from the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group expressing concerns over rural broadband connectivity, in particuarly in remote rural areas.

 

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

Report by Community Learning Manager.

 

The Adult Learning Manager provided a report which informed the Group about the responsibilities laid on the Community Planning Partnership by the Strategic Guidance for Community Planning Partnerships: Community Learning and Development and the associated legislation laid on the Education Authority. The Group were informed that this partnership covers all non formal learning opportunites and that the Area Community Planning Groups were an integral part of the plan.

 

Decision

1.    The Group noted the report and requested that the links to the CLD partnership be emailed to all CPG members.

2.    Members of the Group requested further information on outcomes as well as a more consistent reporting format on Adult learning, when Outcome 3 of the SOA is being discussed.

3.    Agreed that a further update on adult learning be brought to the August CPG meeting.

 

(Ref: Report by Community Learning Manager, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

Report by Procurement and Commissioning Manager.

 

The Trainee Purchasing Officer took the Group through a report which provided an update on the progress made to date with Community Benefits Clauses within contracts relevant to the Bute and Cowal Area.

A discussion took place between members of the group and the trainee purchasing officer regarding the timescales for implementation, the appropriatness of the Community benefit clause being in a tendered contract and not at pre-qualification stage, who the decision makers are in deciding the usage of Community Benefit Clauses and the Group also highlighted that more focus should be put on contracting work to small local based businesses where feasable.

 

Decision

The Group noted the report.

 

(Ref: Report by Procurement and Commissioning Manager, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

Report by Head of Education

 

The Group considered a report by the Head of Education which provided an update on the progress being made within education on aspects of outcome 3: Education, skills and training maximes opportunities for all.

The Area Education Officer took the Group through the report and the following points were noted.

·         Councillor Isobel Strong felt that the head teacher situation in Bute was unsellting for the school.

·         Members of the Group were kean for the Saltire Awards to be made available in Dunoon Grammar school.

 

Decision

The Group noted the report.

 

(Ref: Report by Head of Education, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

Verbal update by Councillor Isobel Strong

Councillor Isobel Strong provided the Group with a verbal update on the upcoming Middle of Scotland Science Festival, that is to be held in Bute between the 19^th-21^st June 2015.

 The update outlined the  benefits to the local community, as well as the various activities and events on offer. Councillor Strong also encouraged community groups from the cowal area to get involved with the process, with a view of suggesting Cowal as a possible venue to hold next years festival.

 

Decision

The Group noted the verbal update

 

(Ref: Verbal update by Councillor Isobel Strong, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

Report by Head of Education (to follow)

It was agreed that this item will now be taken at the August Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group.

Report by Integration Project Manager.

 A report by the Joint Integration Project Manager, which provided a progress update on the action undertaken to establish the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership since it’s last meeting was considered.

A representative from Health and Social Care Integration was not available at the meeting so no further update was provided.

 

Members of the Group voiced disappiontment and concerns at the lack of representation at the meeting and lack of communication with the local community.

 

Decision

1.    The Group noted the report.

2.    The 3 year strategic plan and timeline to be distributed to members of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group.

 

(Ref: Report by Joint Integration Project Manager, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

Discussion facilitated by the Area Governance Manager on items for inclusion on the Agenda for the Next Meeting.

 

Outcomes to be discussed:-

 

OUTCOME 1: THE ECONOMY IS DIVERSE AND THRIVING

 

OUTCOME 5: PEOPLE LIVE ACTIVE, HEALTHIER AND INDEPENDENT LIVES

 

A discussion was facilitated by the Area Governance Manager on items for inclusion on the Agenda for the Next Meeting under outcome 1(The Economy is Diverse and Thriving) and Outcome 5 (People Live Active, Healthier and Independent Lives).

 

It was noted that members of the group should contact the Area Governance Manager if they have any agenda items they would like added.

 

Decision

1.    The Group noted the proposed outcomes.

2.    The Group agreed that Broadband be added as an agenda item under outcome one for the August meeting.

 

(Ref: Verbal update by the Area Governance Manager, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

 

 

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners.

 

The Group heard verbal updates from the following partners:

 

Police Scotland

The Chief Inspector provided the group with an area performance update, with the following noted:

·         Anti Social Behaviour Orders have substantially decreased across Argyll in Bute from 76 in 2014 to 54 in 2015.

·         Assaults: Cowal – 19 in 2014 decreased to 6 in 2015 year to date. Bute – 12 in 2014 decreased to 6 in 2015.

·         Domestic Assaults: Bute and Cowal increase from 8 in 2014 to 12 in 2015.

·         Overall Crime: 20% decrease in 2015 across the whole of Argyll and Bute.

·         Activities taking place in the area include:- Police 5 a side tournament in June 2015, Police Station open day on the 13^th June 2015, providing support for the PA23 BID events throughout the year, as well as other annual events such as Kirn Gala and the Cowal Highland Gathering.

 

(Ref: Verbal update by Chief Inspector, Police Scotland, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

 

Scottish Fire and Rescue

The Area Commander provided a verbal update on the following:

·         There were 52 false alarm call outs in Bute and Cowal between January and March 2015.

·         There were 15 Special Service calls in Bute and Cowal between January and March 2015.

·         101 Home fire safety visits were carried out in the Cowal area between January and March 2015.

·         Scottish Fire and Rescue are currently visiting schools in the local area to promote awareness of road traffic accidents.

·         It was noted that the group can contact David Cowley regarding requests for general statistics.

 

(Ref: Verbal update by Area Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

 

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

A representative from the National Park informed the Group that the National Park were currently consulting on their national plan between May and June of this year.

A discussion also took place regarding Park grants with refernce to the amount of funding available and who was eligible to apply.

 

(Ref: Verbal update by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park representative, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

 

Scottish Health Council

A representative from the Scottish Health Council informed the Group that papers would be circulated electronically through the Senior Area Committee Assistant on the consultation process regarding the Model of support for people living with advanced dementia.

 

(Ref: Verbal update by Scottish Health Council representative, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)

 

 

Argyll Voluntary Action

An AVA representative informed the Group that they were currently going through a partnership review and merger process which should be concluded by the end of June and will result in one third sector interface.

 

(Ref: Verbal update by Argyll Voluntary Action representative, dated 12 May 2015, submitted)