Agenda and minutes

Venue: MICROSOFT TEAMS

Contact: Stuart McLean, Committee Manager - 01436658717 Adele Price-Williams, Senior Committee Assistant - 01546 604480 

Items
No. Item

1.

WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

Minutes:

The Chair opened the meeting in Gaelic and welcomed everyone to the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group.

 

The Chair spoke to an update received from the Vice-Chair, which read as follows;

 

Good Evening All, I hope you are all well. I would like to apologise that I am not in attendance of tonight’s meeting to say this myself, however I will be stepping down as Vice-Chair. I would like to thank you all for the support and opportunity I was given. I would like to emphasise my gratitude towards the team behind it all who were beyond helpful and supportive. I hope to see you all at future meetings as a member.

 

The Chair, on behalf of the Group, wished her well in her future endeavours and looked forward to welcoming her to future meetings.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

 

Joan Best - Crossroads North Argyll;

Rachel Lawlor – Vice-Chair;

Eleanor MacKinnon – Rockfield Centre;

Lynn Campbell – Department of Works and Pensions;

Councillor Jim Lynch; and

PC Laura Evans – Police Scotland.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Marri Malloy, Oban Community Council, joined the meeting during the forgoing item

3.

MINUTES

3a

Meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Planning Group held on 12 May 2021 pdf icon PDF 227 KB

Minutes:

The minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Wednesday 12 May 2021 was approved as a correct record.

Jessie MacFarlane, Oban Community Council, joined the meeting during the forgoing item

4.

COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Report by Committee Manager

Minutes:

The Group considered a briefing note which provided an overview of the discussion which took place at the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meeting on 30 June 2021.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Briefing note by Committee Manager, dated 25 August 2021, submitted)

5.

PARTNERS UPDATE

5a

Community Learning Service Update pdf icon PDF 232 KB

Update by Rhona Grant, Community Learning and Development Assistant

Minutes:

The Group considered an update from Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Learning Service which detailed its transfer to LiveArgyll, the resumption of the Health and Wellbeing Project, delivery of the Enhanced Summer Programme and the ongoing development of the Community Learning and Development Plan for 21-24.

 

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, dated 25 August 2021, submitted)

5b

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - Oban, Lorn and the Isles - Q1 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 628 KB

Report by John Sweeney - Station Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Minutes:

A report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) Q1 2021/22 review of local performance within Oban, Lorn and the Isles was considered by the Group.

 

Further to the submitted update the Group noted that SFRS were continuing to facilitate fundraising events for charities such as the Anthony Nolan Trust which included engaging with high schools to encourage pupils to become involved with the project. The Group noted this was aimed at many youth groups, not just those in an educational setting.

 

Discussion focused on a public consultation on Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) which is open until 11 October 2021 and could be accessed via the SFRS website -    https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/consultations/ufas-consultation.aspx; and that the increase in grass fires was due to long spells of dry weather.

 

 Mr Sweeney advised that legislation on compulsory linked fire alarms will come into force from February 2022, and that these can be installed for free by the SFRS to those household who are at risk and fit the criteria to qualify for home safety fire visits.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group reviewed and noted the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Station Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dated 25 August 2021, submitted)

5c

Islands Living Well Network (Mull and Iona, Tiree, Coll and Colonsay pdf icon PDF 279 KB

Update by Carol Flett, Islands Living Well Network Coordinator 

Minutes:

The Group considered an update from Carol Flett, The Islands Living Well Network, which included that they have chosen emotional and mental wellbeing, education, prevention and early intervention on alcohol and drugs and child poverty to be their priorities for the year.

 

Carol Flett advised that membership levels continue to fluctuate and Living Well were keen to make contact with anyone on Mull who would like to join and hoped that their presence on social media will help spread their message.  It was noted that the Flexible Food Fund Roadshow would soon be going to Mull, Iona, Tiree, Coll and Colonsay.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Update by Carol Flett, The Islands Living Well Network, dated 30 July 2021, submitted)

5d

North Argyll Carers Centre Community Planning Update pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Update by Judith Hawcroft, North Argyll Carers Centre

Minutes:

The Group gave consideration to an update from the North Argyll Carers Centre which provided detail on how they have been able to carry out a phased return to face to face support with carers at their centre on Albany Street; how they were able to offer activities for groups of young and adult carers outdoors; and how they ran a number of activities as part of Carers Week which raised awareness of carers’ roles, issues and the support they can offer.

 

The Group noted North Argyll Carers could be contacted at their website - https://www.northargyllcarers.org.uk/ or email info@northargyllcarers.org.uk or via telephone on 01631 564422.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Update by Judith Hawcroft, North Argyll Carers Centre, dated August 2021, submitted)

5e

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners pdf icon PDF 173 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Rockfield Centre

 

Eleanor MacKinnon was unable to attend but provided an update in her absence which was read out by the Committee Manager as attached to the minute.

 

Department for Work and Pensions

 

Lynn Campbell was unable to attend but provided an update in her absence which was read out by the Committee Manager as attached to the minute.

 

Skills Development Scotland

 

Susan MacRae advised that careers advisors were back in schools and at the centre in Oban and that officers are working to identify the next cohort of leavers and that a report on their destinations would be submitted to the next meeting.  The Group noted that there will be virtual events held by the Scottish Education Exhibitions which were free sessions aimed at all prospective higher education students.

 

University Highland and Islands (UHI)

 

Theresa Bain advised that Argyll College had started back for the 2021/22 session with all classes taught remotely other than practical courses, which would be reviewed during the October break.

 

The Group noted that there was an excellent advertising campaign on certain channels and passed on their compliments to the marketing team at UHI.

 

There was lengthy discussions held on the lack of accommodation options for students as well as those seeking employment in the area which was a nationwide issue. It was agreed that the housing situation would be taken up with ACHA and West Highland Housing for future discussions.

 

Crossroads North Argyll

 

Linda Duncan advised that they had been very busy with referrals with 5 in last 10 days and that they had successfully recruited two more members of staff including one based on Mull but they still required more staff, particular male care attendants.

6.

CLIMATE CHANGE WORKING GROUP INVOLVEMENT OF AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUPS pdf icon PDF 315 KB

Report by Committee Manager

Minutes:

Consideration was given by the Group to a briefing note which provided information on the aims of the Climate Change Working Group as was formed by the CPP Management Committee and explored how Area Community Planning Groups could become more involved.

 

The Group noted that the Oban Fire Station had won an environmental award as the best in Scotland, and sixth across the UK for energy reduction which included the installation of 60 solar panel cells which reduced their electricity usage by 50% and allowed them to sell some energy back to the grid.

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.    discussed the information outlined in the briefing note;

 

2.    agreed to continue consideration of relevant project/organisations that could be put forward as an addition to the ACT interactive map until the November 2021 meeting, suggesting the following in the interim;

 

a)    No Plastic Straws in Oban was a school initiative which saw pupils lobby local businesses;

 

b)    Refill a water bottle refill scheme app used by Argyll College -  https://www.refill.org.uk/about/#:~:text=Refill%20is%20mainly%20an%20%E2%80%98on%20the%20go%E2%80%99%20app,search%20for%20online%20retailers%20that%20offer%20home%20delivery;

 

c)    Re-tech an organisation that supplies a large metal cabinet to place in offices to re-cycle electronic goods used by Argyll College; and

 

d)    an Ardfern community initiative aimed at helping re-populate the sea bed (link to Channel 4 News item https://www.channel4.com/news/the-argyll-community-fighting-to-save-a-small-part-of-the-ocean-one-oyster-at-a-time);

 

e)    the Moleigh Recycling Centre; and

 

3.    agreed to continue consideration of a representative (and substitute) to represent the Oban Lone and the Isles ACPF on the Working Group until the November 2021 meeting.

 

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, dated 25 August 2021, submitted)

7.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 10 November 2021

Minutes:

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 10 November 2021.