Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Rona Gold, Community Planning Manager

Alistair McLaren, TSI

Ruaridh MacGregor, Scottish Water

Councillor Robert MacIntyre

Councillor James McQueen

Councillor Isobel Strong

Councillor Dick Walsh

Councillor Gordon Blair

Councillor Michael Breslin

Councillor Alex McNaughton

Campbell Cameron, Community Broadband Scotland

Mary Holt, Community Justice

No declarations of interest were intimated.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group meeting held on the 10 May 2016 was approved as a correct record.

(for noting)

The minute of the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group, 16 June 2016 was noted.

(for noting)

The Minute of the Cowal Transport Forum, 17 June 2016 was noted.

(for noting)

The minute of the Third Sector and Communities CPP Strategic Group, 24 May 2016 was noted.

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Community Governance Manager  took the Group through a report which provided highlights from the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meeting on 9^th June 2016 with particular emphasis on matters raised by Area Community Planning Groups which are contained in the submitted report.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report and requested that the Community Governance Manager Lorna Elliott take any further comments to the next CPP’s management committee meeting.

(Ref: Report by Community Planning Manager dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Cathi Bertin

Cathi Bertin from Befrienders took the Group through a report which highlighted the support given to vulnerable children and young people across the whole of Argyll and Bute by the organisation.

The Group held a discussion regarding ideas of recruitment and suitable contacts who could assist in the Bute and Cowal Area.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Befrienders dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Mags Todd

Mags Todd, young Carers Coordinator took the Group through a report on the Crossroads Young Carers Project in Bute and Cowal which currently has lottery funding for five years.

It was reported that the project is going very well and on track to meet its target of thirty young carers. Currently Crossroads are looking for premises in the Cowal Area in order to meet the needs of the project. Several suggestions of potentially suitable premises were highlighted by the Group.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report submitted by Young Carers Coordinator dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Verbal update by Stuart MacLean

Stuart McLean from Scottish Fire and Rescue took the Group took the Group through a report which provided a breakdown of Scottish Fire and Rescue’s community safety activities that had taken place over a twelve month period, a detailed breakdown of Local Community Safety Engagement that had taken place across Argyll and Bute, a statistical breakdown of Home Fire Safety visits that had taken place and a breakdown of operational activity across Argyll and Bute.

The Group were also informed that Scottish Fire and Rescue were looking at setting up a young Firefighters group in Cowal as this had proved successful in other areas of Argyll and Bute.

The Group noted that the potential road closures in the Cowal area to accommodate work undertaken by Scottish Water would have an impact on the emergency services access to areas. Mr McLean confirmed that standard procedures were in place for this type of situation.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref; Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Mary Holt, Criminal Justice Social Work Partnership (to follow)

The Group considered a report on the Community Justice Scotland Act (2016) Strategy Consultation.

The Community Governance Manager informed the Group that the Community Justice Strategy was in the very early stages of development and that further information would be available at appropriate stages in the process.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Community Justice Officer dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Community Broadband Scotland Advisor

The Group considered a report on the Superfast Broadband rollout activities that are due to be completed by 2020 or before.

The Group held a discussion regarding several issues that the local communities have experienced during the rollout process and of which some are still ongoing and it was noted that in the Kilmun to Ardentinny area the project is currently six months behind schedule.

Decision

The Group:

1.    Noted the contents of the report

2.    Noted general disastification with the rollout of superfast broadband and;

3.    Requested that Robert Thorburn, BT be invited to the Novmeber CPG meeting to address the concerns raised.

(Ref: Report by Community Broadband Scotland Representative dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Ruaridh McGregor

The Group considered a report submitted by Scottish Water which provided a breakdown of current proposed works being undertaken by Scottish Water the will affect the areas of Kilmun, Strone, Innellan and Toward.

Concerns were raised by the Group regarding the access issues that the areas affected will experience.

Decision

The Group:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Noted dissatisfaction at how the proposed works were currently being handled and the impact this will have on the communities affected.

(Ref: Report by Scottish Water dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Housing Services Manager

The Research and Development Officer took the Group through a report on the Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2015-2020 for the Bute and Cowal area for the last five years as well as the current project on site and the proposals for future development over the next four years with an indication of available resources.

It was noted that housing services are working closely with partners including the Health and Social Care Partnership and Economic Development to ensure that they are identifying the housing gaps and meeting the social needs of the area. The Group welcomed the holistic approach that was being taken in this matter.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Housing Services Manager dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Head of Education

The Executive Director of Community Services took the Group through a report which provided an update on the approach to the delivery of Argyll and Bute’s Children in order to support the Integration of Health and Social Care in Argyll and Bute and to give the Group an update on the plan and structure contained in the report.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Executive director Community Services dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Community Governance Manager informed the Group that this report was for noting and any questions or comments could be fed back through the Community Development Officer to the Community Planning Team.

The Community Governance Manager advised the Group that work on the locality plans was dependant on the outcome of the consultation undertaken by the Scottish Government which was expected in September. It was noted that the Health and Social Care locality plans were due to be completed in October 2016 and there needed to be linkages between the two plans. Community Governance Manager requested that partners notify her of any additional plans that they felt should be taken into consideration during the process. One suggested plan is the Cowal Fixed Link project.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Community Governance Manager

The Community Governance Manager took the Group through a report on the findings of two working groups set up by the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay and Oban Lorn and the Isles Area CPG’s following the May CPG meetings and provides information on suggested changes to meeting format and communication methods.

The Group agreed to the proposed changes set out in the paper and commented that the Area Community Planning Groups should have more decision making powers at local level.

Decision

The Group;

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 2.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Community Governance Manager dated 9 August 2016, submitted)

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners

National Park

David MacKenzie on behalf of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park informed the Group that they were currently undertaking three major projects which were Your Park, Live Park and the National Park Partnership plan which is due to go out to consultation at the end of the year.

Police Scotland

Lana Stewart from Police Scotland provided the Group with the following verbal update:

·         Police Scotland are currently working with various third sector organisations to create an Appropriate Adult service.

·         The Keep Safe – I am Me initiative is being run by police Scotland to raise awareness of people with disabilities feeling safe in their communities. Safe places will be identified throughout Argyll and Bute where vulnerable people can go if they require assistance. Further information on this project will be brought to the November Bute and Cowal CPG meeting.

·         Sargent Stewart informed the Group of the Contest strategy – Counter  Terrorism and how this project was being put in place to help keep young people safe online and to prevent online recruitment into terrorist organisations. A more detailed update on this item will be brought to the November Bute and Cowal CPG meeting.

Bute and Cowal Community CAUCUS

Iain McNaughton on behalf of the CAUCUS informed the Group that they were currently looking at the following items:

·         The new parking proposals which will be going out for consultation.

·         An objections letter to the Bounday Commissions prososed changes to the Bute and Cowal wards.

·         The CAUCUS now has a representative on the Health and Social Care Partnership Locality Planning Group.

Fixed Link Project – Cowal

David McKenzie on behalf of the Cowal Fixed Link Project informed the Group that research into the economic impact of having a fixed link is currently being undertaken by students at Strathclyde University. He further informed the Group that a number of route options are currently being developed.

It was also noted that the project has been through the Bute and Cowal Area Committee for Elected Members information and that further detail on the project can be found by contacting the Senior Area Committee Assistant for Bute and Cowal who will forward the appropriate contact details onto any interested party.

Discussion facilitated by the Community Governance Manager on items for inclusion on the Agenda for the next meeting.

Outcomes to be discussed:-

Outcome 3:  Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all

Outcome 4:  Children and young people have the best possible start

A discussion was facilitated by the Community Governance Manager on items for inclusion on the Agenda for the Next Meeting under outcome 3(Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all) and Outcome 4 (Children and Young People have the Best Possible Start).

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

Decision

The Group noted the proposed outcomes.

(Ref: Verbal update by the Community Governance Manager, dated 9 August 2016, submitted)