Agenda and minutes

Councillor Elaine Robertson welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of;

Samantha Stubbs – Third Sector Interface;

Lynn Campbell – Department of Work and Pensions;

Jenny Dryden – Health and Social Care Partnership; and

Councillor Sir Jamie Mcgrigor.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Planning Group 11 November 2020

The minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Wednesday 1 November 2020 was approved as a correct record subject to the following amendment;

Ian Gillies is no longer a Tiree Community Councillor and was attending in a private capacity at the meeting.

Matters Arising

The Chair advised that the Boundary Commission had met with the islands’ representatives as part of the consultation into reviewing local boundaries with the results expected to be available to the public by the end of May 2021.

Report by Committee Manager

The Group reviewed the current Terms of Reference and membership of the Community Planning Group and noted the dates for meetings up until May 2022.

The Group noted that the representative from the Tiree Trust had recently left and that a new representative would be added once an appointment has been made.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Planning Group;

1.    considered and adopted the Terms of Reference as attached to the report (Appendix 1) and agreed that they be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure their ongoing currency and appropriateness for the work of the Group as it develops over time;

2.    considered and agreed the membership of the Group as attached to the report (Appendix 2) along with the following amendments;

Samantha Stubbs to replace Katrina Sayer at Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface;

Kay MacDonald to replace Yvonne Mclean at Bids4Oban;

PC Laura Evans to replace PC Rusden as Police Scotland Local Authority Liaison Officer;

Alison Jones from Development Coll;

Catriona Petit from Hope Kitchen;

Judith Hawcroft from North Argyll Carers;

Lynn Campbell from the Department of Work and Pensions;

Rachel Lawlor from North Argyll Youth Forum; and

Carol Flett and Kirsty McLuckie from Living Well.

3.    agreed that the membership of the Group be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure currency and appropriateness for the work of the Group as it develops over time; and

4.     noted the meeting schedule and dates submitted in the report.

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, dated 17 February 2021, submitted)

Report by Committee Manager

The Group gave consideration to a report advising members of the procedure to be followed when electing officer bearers and asked the Group to consider the appointment of a Chair and Vice-Chair to the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group. The Committee Manager invited nominations from those on the call for both positions.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group agreed to elect Kevin Champion from Oban High School and Rachel Lawlor from North Argyll Youth Forum, as Chair and Vice Chair of the Group respectively for the next two year period subject to written confirmation from Ms Lawlor that she is willing to accept the position.

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, dated 17 February 2021, submitted)

At this point in the meeting the newly appointed Chair took over proceedings.

Report by Committee Manager

The Group considered a briefing note which related to the virtual meeting of the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee which met on 2 December 2020.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the briefing note.

(Reference: Briefing note by Committee Manager, dated 17 February 2021, submitted)

Report by Community Learning Team Leader

The Group considered an update from Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Learning Service which detailed their response to Covid-19 as well as various initiatives they are involved with including the No One Left Behind initiative, digital employability and the Youth Advisory Panel.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Update by Community Learning and Development Assistant, submitted)

Report by Lynn Campbell, Customer Service Leader - Department for Work and Pensions

The Group considered an update from the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) which detailed their response to Covid-19 as well as various initiatives they are involved with including job finding support, job entry targeted support and the Kickstart scheme.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group;

1.    considered and noted the information provided; and

2.    noted that in absence of an officer from DWP the Committee Manager would take back any questions to the DWP and circulate any responses to the Group.

(Reference: Update by Customer Service Leader - Department for Work and Pensions, dated January 2021, submitted)

Update by Strategic Development Manager, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface

The Group considered an update from the Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) which detailed their response to Covid-19 which included supporting charities, social enterprises, community groups as well as the Creation of an Argyll and Bute volunteering platform.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group;

1.         considered and noted the information provided; and

2.         noted that in absence of an officer from TSI the Committee Manager would take back any questions to TSI and circulate any responses to the Group.

(Reference: Update by Samantha Stubbs – Strategic Development Manager, Third Sector Interface, dated January 2021, submitted)

Update by Joan Best – Manager, Crossroads North Argyll

The Group considered an update from Crossroads North Argyll which included that they had been successful in securing funding from Independent Age and The Community Recovery Fund to provide free respite for unpaid carers in Oban and Lorn. The Group noted that the funding would also be used to develop a free respite pilot on the islands of Coll, Tiree and Mull.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the update.

(Reference: Update by Joan Best, Manager of Crossroads North Argyll, dated 17 February 2021, submitted)

The Group considered an update submitted by Mull Community Council which detailed the activities undertaken by the Community Council in response to the pandemic which included how they formed the Mull Crisis Management Group and how they collaborated with other organisations whilst maintaining contact with their community.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and  noted the information provided.

(Reference: Update by Mull Community Council dated 17 February 2021, submitted)

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

Susan MacRae - Area Manager, updated the Group on key activities of her organisation which included that they offer a career service for all age groups; they have service advisers in every school to help identify those leavers who need support with managing anxieties around onward destinations; all resources are now online, using platforms such as Teams and Glow; a virtual multi-discipline careers event called ‘I Can Do Anything’ was rolled out across Argyll and Bute which received positive feedback from the young people participating. The Group also noted that the service SDS offer was available to support people facing redundancy with fully qualified staff available to be contacted via the free phone number - 0800 917 8000.

Susan further advised that she hoped to provide more information to a future meeting around a new tool which will highlight what 16-17 year olds are doing on a monthly basis.

Police Scotland

PC Laura Evans advised the Group of her work with the Cared for at Home network which was established through partnership working with the council and TSI to help raise awareness of fraud and bogus crimes. PC Evans advised that these types of crimes have doubled this year and many are in relation to scam emails as more people are at home and more isolated and vulnerable and therefore an easy target. Police Scotland are sharing alerts via social media and with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland who then decimate the information to community councils, who in turn can pass this to care home staff to pass to their clients when speaking to them face to face. More work is required to ensure this information gets this to older people.

PC Evans advised that she will be able to submit a formal update which can be circulated to the Group, Community Councils and via the CPP bulletin in due course.

North Argyll Carers Centre

Judith Hawcroft advised the Group that since lockdown doorstep visits had ceased but were replaced with telephone and Zoom calls with carers offering an extended network of support including the creation of intergenerational groups with activities such as a Knitting Bee which has been nominated for an award.  The roll out of vaccinations for paid for carers was underway and they were looking to secure more funding for alternative respite options for carers.

Hope Kitchen

Catriona Petit advised that since the start of the pandemic the food bank has gone from serving 20 people per week to over 120. She commended the great partnership working in developing the Caring for People care line and the Flexible Food Fund in combating food insecurity coupled with welfare visits. The Group noted that there was a new cohort of people who needed mental health support, such as those furloughed, and they had developed an online mental health directory in conjunction with the Mental Health Forum.

Living Well

Carol Flett – Living Well Coordinator, advised that the network of monthly Zoom meetings with the islands continues to be productive and helpful and they hope to continue with this format when lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Police Scotland

Inspector Mark Stephen - Police Scotland advised that they were planning for a busy summer with an influx of visitors expected and they were recruiting for new posts which included posts to manage prisoners in Oban Custody Centre along with two summer secondments.

Discussion focussed on people who were in the area who should not be, due to the current travel restrictions, and it was confirmed that these incidences should be reported to the Police. Inspector Stephen confirmed that he would share the online form that can be used with the Group.

Community Development

Laura MacDonald – Community Development Officer advised the Group that the Supporting Communities Fund was now open for applications and that it would close on 20 March 2021. Laura highlighted that the criteria had changed slightly, with further information available on the website.  She further added that Participation Request training was available, details of which were also available on the website.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

John Sweeney - Station Commander advised that there had been an activity drop-off due to the pandemic, with false alarms mainly at industrial premises due to lack of occupation. Mr Sweeney advised that home fire safety visits were still ongoing but they were targeting high and very high risk properties only; campaign for people to reach out to others who live alone and are smokers underway; and that three new members of staff were in post in islands specific locations to support retained and volunteer stations which will include community safety work in those areas.

Scottish Government Guidance as of 19 January 2021

The Group gave consideration to the latest Covid-19 stay at home guidance.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the guidance.

(Reference: Scottish Government Guidance as of 19 January 2021)

Letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland from the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council

A letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland from the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council regarding Argyll and Bute’s Seafood Sector Sustainability was consider by the Group.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the letter.

(Reference: letter from the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, dated 15 January 2021, submitted)

No updates provided.

Presentation by Emma Grant, Project Manager and Fundraiser - Healthy Options

The Group gave consideration to an update by Emma Grant from Lorn Healthy Options who advised that her charity helps people with long-term physical and mental health issues by offering a 12 week programme which combines one-to-one fitness sessions with self-management by helping people to manage their conditions and live life to the fullest and build links back into the community. She advised that during the first six months of the pandemic they took over 2,000 calls and offered videoed personalised support.

The Group noted that they are part funded by the HSCP as well as other third sector organisations and employ 5.5 full time equivalent staff and are currently promoting a fundraising campaign.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group thanked Ms Grant for the informative update and congratulated Lorn Healthy Options on the good work being done.

(Reference: Verbal Update by Emma Grant, Healthy Options, dated 17 February 2021)

Demonstration by Community Planning Officer

The Group was led through a demonstration of BaseCamp, which is an online website which allows all members of the Area Community Planning Group (ACPG) to access relevant documents relating to the ACPG; provide information on action points arising from the meetings or action plans; share information about relevant items of interest with other members; and provides better networks with other ACPG members in between meetings.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group;

1.    thanked the Community Planning Officer for the informative demonstration and noted the information provided in the presentation; and

2.    agreed to provide the Community Planning Officer with contact details of those who have intimated their wish to be invited to access BaseCamp.

(Reference: demonstration by Community Planning Officer, dated 17 February 2021, submitted)

Verbal update by Neil MacFarlane, Local Network Manager, Transport Scotland

Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland introduced himself and detailed notable roadworks on A84, A85 and A82 Loch Lomondside for the next quarter as below;

A82 Loch Lomond side day time convoy resurfacing – all of February to mid March

A85 Lighting Column renumbering

A84 and A85 whole route – road sign lighting and bollard refurbishment

A84 and A85 whole route - upgrading lighting columns to LED

A85 Dunollie Road – lighting column refurbishment

A85 tree maintenance at St Fillans and between Crieff and Comrie

A84 / A85 Lochearnhead village gateway entry treatments

A84 Pass of Leny – barrier upgrade – BT going in first.

A85 Structure repairs in Glen Ogle and at Macrosty Park, Crieff.

A84 Callander Main Street resurfacing night time February and March

A85 Cruachan Dam resurfacing  7th – 23rd March. 1 night of closure, 11 days convoy

A85 St Fillans road drainage improvements – March

A85 Tyndrum to Dalmally - Bend treatment signing scheme substantially completed;

A85 Lix Toll to Crianlarich Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS) commenced October. Major phase of works held up due to legal implications which are being worked through;

A85 Stonefield Bridge, east of Connel – VAS Sign installation completed with fixed plate signs installed February/March.

In relation to the A83 Neil advised that ultimately there was a need to enable the route to take two-way traffic throughout the day and night.  He stated that there had been improved resilience on the Old Military Road (OMR) through construction of a large bund.  He stated that there were 12 planned interventions with a few time targets to hopefully be met before March and next winter respectively and of the 11 alternative routes the cabinet secretary announcement on the preferred route was expected to be made by this spring.

Discussion focussed on the importance of the A83 route to Oban, Lorn and the Isles area and the Group congratulated Transport Scotland and Bear Scotland on the advance notice provided by the helpful updates issued to stakeholders prior to works being carried out so that they may alert their communities timeously to enable travel planning.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group;

1.    considered and noted the information provided;

2.    thanked Transport Scotland and Bear Scotland for issuing advance notice of works; and

3.    agreed to post the list of social media sources for reliable traffic information on BaseCamp.

(Reference: Update by Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland, dated 17 February 2021, tabled)

Report by Economic Growth Officer

The Group considered a report detailing the latest position in relation to informal camping, specifically the setting up a Short Life Working Group in response to the rise in informal camping activity across Argyll and Bute and associated arising issues.

Discussion focussed on how education and prevention of irresponsible camping behaviour was required yet residents and businesses in Oban area want to welcome people by improving facilities so that visitors have a positive experience.  The Group noted that Argyll and Bute Council were conducting a Motorhome and Informal Camping Survey which can be found on their website - Motorhome and Informal Camping Survey (argyll-bute.gov.uk)

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group:

1.    noted the contents of the report and progress to date;

2.    agreed to continue to collaborate to attempt to address the challenges faced due to increased informal camping activity;

3.    noted that work would progress on actions identified from the Short Life Working Group; and

4.    noted that in the absence of an officer from Economic Growth the Committee Manager would take back any questions to the service and circulate any responses to the Group.

(Reference: Report by Economic Growth Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 17 February 2021, submitted)

The next meeting will take place at 2.00pm on Wednesday 12 May 2021

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group would take place at 2pm on Wednesday 12 May 2021 with venue details to be confirmed in due course.

The Chair thanked all those who contributed to the meeting and thanked Governance Officers for their support in his new role.

Councillor Robertson thanked the Chair and prospective Vice-Chair for taking on the roles and spoke about how much she enjoyed her time as Vice-Chair and stand-in Chair.