Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:-

Lorna Whyte - Area Operations Manager, LiveArgyll;

Reeni Kennedy-Boyle - General Manager, Fyne Futures Ltd;

Anthony Standing - Head of Region (North), Skills Development Scotland;

Debbie Donald - Cairndow Community Council; and

Willie Lynch - Dunoon Community Council.

Councillor Jim Findlay raised a non-financial interest at item 6 (a) Area Community Planning Action Plan Update on Progress as a board member of Rothesay Pavilion Charity Committee. Councillor Findlay advised this was a council appointed position and remained in the room for the entirety of the item.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 7 May 2019 was approved as a correct record.

Presentation by Dunoon Grammar School Pupils and Alison Currie

Pupils from Dunoon Grammar School along with Alison Currie, Area Principal Teacher Pupil Support Assistant, delivered a presentation to the Group showcasing the school’s visit to Costa Rica.

The Group heard how the school had been running the joint trip (this year with Beith High School in Fife) for over 13 years, taking 20 pupils to Costa Rica for a month where they were heavily involved in many tasks such as assisting locals with conservation work with leatherback turtles.  The pupils also assisted a local primary school by redecorating some classrooms, this would be a surprise for local pupils upon their return from school holidays. The pupils explained how this work was both physically demanding and rewarding as it left behind a lasting, positive impact on the area.

They thanked the council for assisting with funding and praised the local community for being heavily involved in fundraising to support the trip. The pupils outlined the process of fundraising and the skills they gained by acting as accountants through a series of budget meetings throughout the trip. This key task enabled them to become committed to the project and developed their money management skills.

The pupils spoke about how the experience and skills learnt helped boost their confidence and resilience which would help them in future. The pupils also discussed how the school had built excellent partnerships with different schools from different council areas and how they had developed a lot of transferable skills.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    thanked the pupils from Dunoon Grammar School for the informative presentation; and

2.    noted the information provided in the presentation.

(Reference: presentation by Dunoon Grammar School, dated 6 August 2019)

The Group considered a briefing note which related to the meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee held on Wednesday 26 June 2019 where issues raised by the Area Community Planning Group Chairs were considered.

The Chair informed the Group that the Islands Revival Group is due to meet this month to discuss population decline.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Community Planning Officer dated 6 August 2019, submitted)

Report by Community Planning Manager (circulated)

The Community Planning Officer outlined the engagement plan for the next iteration

of the tracker and took the group through the progress of actions currently identified

on the Area Community Planning Action Plan tracker.

Discussion took place in respect of the one action which was classed as ‘not on track’ and members of the Group noted that the action was being progressed and work was ongoing to pursue this action.

The Group also gave consideration to different ways to present a more detailed report for future meetings.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    noted the information provided; and

2.    agreed to invite the Project Manager for Rothesay Pavilion to the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group on 5 November 2109 in Rothesay.

(Reference: Report by Area Community Planning Manager, dated 6 August 2019, submitted)

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Group considered a briefing note which related to the ongoing consultation ‘How good is your place?’.  The Group noted that the results of the consultation would form the next iteration of the Area Community Planning Action Plan.

Discussion focused on what can be done to encourage an increase in the number of respondents to the consultation, particularly those aged under 24 years.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    noted the information provided; and

2.    agreed to invite their respective group and/or community members to take part in the consultation.

(Reference: Report by Community Planning Officer dated 6 August 2019, submitted)

At this point in the meeting the Chair ruled and the Group agreed to take item 10 - Partner's Update (HSCP update only) out of sequence in order to assist the early departure of attendees who had a significant distance to travel.

Presentation by Colin McMillan, Firstport Scotland

The Group gave consideration to a presentation shown by Colin McMillan from Firstport Scotland which related to a social enterprise accelerator programme called the LauchMe Programme. 

Mr McMillan highlighted some case studies concerning the programme and how it had supported individuals set-up in business across the whole of Scotland.  The Group was informed about how start-up businesses can be funded by organisations investing in social enterprises who are attracted to them as the investing organisation’s tax bill is reduced and co-investing can be seen as a natural process as any potential risk can be mitigated.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    thanked Mr McMillan for the informative presentation; and

2.    noted the information provided in the presentation.

(Reference: presentation by Colin McMillan - Firstport Scotland, dated 6 August 2019)

Presentation by Colin Moulson, PA23 BID

As Colin Moulson had submitted his apologies there was no presentation shown for the PA23 BID and no discussion held by the Group.

The Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Annual Report 2018 -2019 on Health and Wellbeing in Argyll and Bute was before the Group for noting.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Alison McGrory - Health Improvement Principal, HSCP dated 6 August 2019, submitted)

Presentation by Peter Baxter

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Peter Baxter, Benmore Botanic Garden.

Mr Baxter updated the Group on the extensive native and international plant collection and how the scientific plant collection was a big visitor attraction.  The Group heard details on the importance of the lichen trail given the ongoing clean air and climate change debate.  Reference was made to the walled garden redesign and the need for investment. This project is part of the larger Benmore Development Project which also includes plans to improve the café, visitor and car park areas.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group;

1.    thanked Mr Baxter for the informative presentation; and

2.    noted the information provided in the presentation.

(Reference: presentation by Peter Baxter – Benmore Botanic Garden, dated 6 August 2019)

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners      

Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)

Alison McKerracher, Locality Manager Cowal & Bute, Argyll & Bute HSCP, updated the Group on the developments at Cowal Community Hospital. The Group heard that interviews for doctors were scheduled for the end of August 2019 and that a bed modelling exercise is being explored.

The Group further noted that the first meeting of the new Local Planning Groups (LPGs) were held in June and discussed how information gathered from conversation cafes was passed back to the LPGs for ongoing discussions.

In addition Maggie Clark, Health Improvement Lead, Argyll & Bute HSCP, highlighted that smoking cessation courses had been re-designed and are due to be re-launched in the near future.

Skills Development Scotland

Pamela Little, Team Leader, Skills Development Scotland, advised the Group that a school exam results help-line had been set-up in advance of the publication of results on 6 August 2019.  She added that 575 Modern Apprentices were currently in training across Argyll and Bute with many more new apprenticeships schemes recently created.

Discussion focused on how the Apprenticeship Levy is a national policy, Pamela Little agreed to circulate further information around this to the Group.

Police Scotland

Douglas Wilson, Chief Inspector, Police Scotland, provided an update to the Group about the local situation. Chief Inspector Wilson highlighted that the new Commander had been out in the community engaging with local people and that the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) initiative was well established in Dunoon with the pass out parade coming soon, highlighting that the volunteers can assist with community events.

The Group noted that recruitment for new probationers and transferees was underway and that a formal consultation was issued last week regarding the police estate. The Group was made aware that there were no major Antisocial Behaviour issues at present although there had been a few reported issues of speeding and poor driving.

Chief Inspector Wilson highlighted that Police Scotland would be present at various agricultural shows which they would use as a platform to engage and remind people of the importance of preventing rural crime. Chief Inspector Wilson added that consideration was being given to restabilising the Rural Crime Forum.

Dunoon Area Alliance

Ann Campbell highlighted that in June various agencies were involved in an informal networking event in Dunoon and that a cycling friendly initiative was being developed. The Group noted that on 21 August 2019 at the Queens Hall an event looking at the results of research into outdoor activity spaces in Dunoon would be held which, it is hoped, would  kick start other networking initiatives.

Ms Campbell also outlined the work of two recently established groups, Dunoon in Bloom and Dunoon and Cowal Coworks. Dunoon in Bloom had been established to develop the rose gardens behind Morrison’s in Dunoon, while Dunoon and Cowal Coworks, had been set-up to research the needs of freelance workers, home based enterprises and micro enterprises. It is hoped that this project may assist in reversing the de-population of the local area.

The next meeting will take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 5 November 2019

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group would take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 5 November 2019 at Eaglesham House, Rothesay.