Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:-

 

Inspector Paul Collins, Police Scotland

Inspector Ian Hutchinson, Police Scotland

PC Laura Evans, Police Scotland

Lauren Worrell, National Farmers Union Scotland

Kirsty MacKenzie, Carers Network

Kirsty McLuckie, Youth Café

Seonaid Cameron, Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd

Robert Kincaid, Oban Community Harbour Development Association

 

 

 

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the previous Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group, held on 27 April 2022, was approved as a correct record.

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Area Community Planning Group were asked to nominate and consider appointing a Vice Chair Person to the Group.  Ryan MacIntyre Young Member of the Scottish Parliament put himself forward.

 

The Committee Manager advised that as Mr MacIntyre was not a member of the Community Planning Group this would not be possible. The Committee Manager recommended that the membership of the Group could be considered at the next meeting of the Community Planning Group updating the membership to reflect Mr MacIntyre’s wish to become a member.

 

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group agreed to continue this item to the next meeting in November 2022, to allow the Committee Manager to prepare an updated membership report.

 

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a briefing note providing an overview of the discussion that took place at the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee which had met virtually on 22 June 2022.

 

Stuart McLean, Committee Manager spoke to the report highlighting updates on topics, Shaping Places for Wellbeing project; climate change and child poverty; financial inclusion; digital communities; Building Back Better; Outcome 6 – People Live In Safer And Stronger Communities; upcoming Community Planning Partnership work; the annual report; revision of the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan; MSYP; Levelling Up Fund; Outcome 1; Scottish Government Place Directors; and feedback on Digital Meeting Platform for the Community Planning Partnership.

 

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Shona Barton, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group considered an update from Sergeant Cammy Lowe, Police Scotland, which highlighted information relating to resource changes within the local area.  Sergeant Lowe advised that Chief Inspector Simon Shanks had been appointed the Area Commander for Oban, Lorn and the Isles and Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands and that Oban, Lorn and the Isles had also welcomed two new probationary Officers.  An initiative would soon to be launched to recruit more Special Constables within the locality.

 

Sergeant Lowe also advised that local policing representatives continue to engages positively with members of the Community around the Neighbourhood and Rural Watch initiative and that Keep Safe literature was being translated into Ukrainian.  A new partnership agreement had also been established between Police Scotland, ACHA and Argyll and Bute’s Trading Standards to reduce incidents of rogue traders.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Sergeant Cammy Lowe, Police Scotland, submitted)

 

The Group considered a report by Watch Commander Gordon Boyle highlighting Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) FQ1 review of local performance across Oban, Lorn and the Isles for the period 2022-23. The report included information around incidents during this period and recent community safety activity.

 

The SFRS continue to work on their Thematic Action Plan throughout the seasons delivering advice to the community on a regular basis. They also encourage the use of their Free Home Fire Safety Visits which are available to all communities further information on this can be accessed by the following details:-

 

• call 0800 0731 999
• text "FIRE" to 80800 from your mobile phone.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Watch Commander Gordon Boyle, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted)

 

The Group considered a report from the Third Sector Interface which outlined a busy first quarter for them with the Volunteer Awards held in June and the Social Enterprise Network meeting which was attended by Scottish Minister responsible for Community Wealth Building.  The TSI also distributed £40,000 of grants for the Scottish Government under the Community Based Adult Learning Fund which supported welcome fairs for Ukrainian Refugees in Oban and Dunoon.

 

A delivery plan in respect of The New Joint Commissioning Strategy was discussed at a meeting held at the Inveraray Hub, a proposed model will be further developed over the coming months.  A training need analysis survey

had also been issued to the voluntary sector and results are expected shortly. 

 

The Young Persons Group mentor and volunteer placement programme continues to  be successful and now includes over 30s.  The TSI hope to expand the principles and model of the programme to other client groups to include low-level ex-offenders and people with learning difficulties and those that have experienced mental health ill health.

 

 Excellent progress has been made on the database ABCD (Argyll and Bute Community Directory) with over 872 organisations now included.  It is hoped that a demonstration of the Directory will be presented by   Phil Ashby at the next Community Planning Group in November.

 

The Calmac Ferries Fund will launch in August, the CEO of the TSI has joined the steering group of the fund, where there is £80,000 of funding available.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute TSI, submitted)

The Group considered an update from Jen Broadhurst of the Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) who have seen a 89% increase in enquires between September and July regarding energy bills due to the current cost of living crisis, compared to this time last year.  They continue to work hard to reduce waiting times which they have managed to reduce to 6 weeks for non-urgent cases, however, overall case numbers have increased by 31%.  The  CAB AGM is due to be held in November and partners are invited to join the Bureau as a member to help shape the direction and future work of the Bureau.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Jen Broadhurst Citizens Advice Bureau, submitted)

The Group considered a report from the Island Living Well Network which stated that funding had been sourced for the 8 Living Well Networks across Argyll and Bute to continue until the end of the current financial year.

 

The next Network meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday 30^th August at 1pm and will include guest speakers, Gill McShea, Development Officer with the Paths for All, Walking For Health Team, Gillian McInnes from Social Security Scotland who will give an update on Adult Disability Payment which replaces PIP on 29^th August and Rory Munro from the Public Health Team who will present the findings from a community consultation about how the pandemic has impacted on people's wellbeing, and their ability to secure support.

 

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Carol Flett, Islands Living Well Network, submitted)

The Group considered a report by Joan Best of Crossroads North Argyll which highlighted that they are now providing respite for 47 unpaid carers across Oban, Lorn and Mull.  There are currently referrals for 7 unpaid carers in the Oban area and 4 on Mull.  Miss Best advised that the needs of unpaid carers are changing, consequently, the organisation has to be more flexible to address these needs going forward.

 

Crossroads North Argyll are moving out of the Carers Centre in Albany Street to a premises of their own in Gibralter Street,  this shop front will put Crossroads in the main hub of the town en-route to Tesco.  Partners are invited to pop in when passing.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference:  Report by Joan Best, Crossroads North Argyll, submitted)

 

 

The Group considered an update from the Staycation Officer which included a list of groups they had worked with over the summer months.

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.    considered and noted the information provided; and

 

2.    noted that in the absence of the Staycation Officer, any questions would be forwarded to him for a response following the meeting.

 

(Reference: Report by Nathan Gallogley, Staycation Officer, submitted)

 

The Group considered a written report from Public Health - Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership. The report highlighted the three main areas of work the Partnership recently focussed on: Money Counts Training, Smoke Free Hospital Ground’s Legislation and Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy Consultation.

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.    considered and noted the information provided.

 

2. noted that in the absence of a representative from the HSCP, any questions would be forwarded to them for a response following the meeting.

 

 

(Reference: Report by Alison McGrory, Health Improvement Principal, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, submitted)

 

The Group considered a detailed report submitted by the Department of Work and Pensions. (DWP), which included statistical information on clients receiving Universal Credit and other benefits across the Argyll and Bute area, as well as information on various initiatives that the DWP were involved in.

 

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.    considered and noted the information provided; and

 

2.    noted that in the absence of a representative from the Department for Work and Pensions, any questions would be forwarded to them for a response following the meeting.

 

(Reference: Report by Elizabeth McBrayne, Department for Work and Pensions, submitted)

 

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

 

Susan McRae advised that the Career’s Officers are now back working with education in the schools to support leavers; a new colleague has started, Mark Harbitson, who will be covering Oban and Lochgilphead;  SDS attended the Community Event in the Corran Halls for Ukrainian Refugees - 8 young people are attending Oban High School and St Columbas is the hub for the primary school aged children: and SDS are also supporting 4 individual cases of redundancy in the Oban Area.

 

(Reference: Verbal Update by Susan McRae, Skills Development Scotland)

 

 

Hope Kitchen

 

Catriona Petit advised that prior to  the COVID pandemic footfall had increased to Hope Kitchen;  a book club will be starting shortly;  Greenshoots Garden at Glencruitten is available to organisations wanting to hold a small event;  Miss Petit further advised that she is the Co-Chair of the Alcohol and Addiction Group along with Kenny Crosher of We are Here.

 

(Reference: Verbal Update by Catriona Petit, Hope Kitchen)

 

 

Young Carers

 

Judith Hawcroft, on behalf of the Young Carers, reported that they currently have 711 registgered carers, of which 629 are actively supported and 82 are still registered and remain connected in but are not receiving regular emotional and practical support. 115 of active carers are young and young adult carers aged between 8 and 18. They also have 453 adult carers receiving ongoing support and 61 remain registered for bereavement support following the death of the person they cared for.

 

There has been a significant increase in the number of new referrals and requests for Carer Support Plans; 66 new carers have been registered since the start of May 2022, compared with 25 in the same period last year, and 71 Carer Support Plans have been completed compared with 23 in the same period last year.

 

Miss Hawcroft advised that work continues in  partnership with colleagues in Social Work, Health and Welfare Rights, and with many third sector organisations, including Crossroads North Argyll, The Dove Centre, Hope Kitchen, Lorn and Oban Healthy Options, Curam and the Youth Café, to the benefit of unpaid carers.

 

The lack of provision of home care due to issues around recruitment and retention is a primary concern for unpaid carers at this time and places greater pressure on carers who are having to provide additional support to fill the gaps. This is putting their health and wellbeing at critical risk and, should those carers reach breaking point, will negatively impact those they care for too.

 

There was a Mid-Summer Mad Hatters Tea Party held at Dunollie House for the young carers, where everyone was dressed up. The event was  great fun with a  number of young carers able to attend the Scottish Young Carers Festival where their views are used to shape future policy.

 

(Reference: Verbal Update by Judith Hawcroft, North Argyll Young Carers)

 

 

 

 

 

MECOPP  Gypsy Travellers Carers Project

 

 

Ali Martin advised that £50,000 had been allocated between Dunhollagan, Lochgilphead and Bayview, Oban for site repairs;  Miss Martin advised that MECOPP alongside ACHA and Argyll and Bute Council are working together to put a bid into the Scottish Government £20m Funding which is being made available for improving the lives of gypsy travellers; and that free sanitary products from Argyll and Bute Council will be handed out to the sites.

 

(Reference: Verbal Update by Ali Martin, Supervisor and Development Officer of Gypsy Project)

 

 

Community Development, Argyll and Bute Council

 

Becky Hothersall advise that the Community Development supported the Ukrainian Welcome Event held in the Corran Halls, which had been a very busy event with the new arrivals being able to sign up to various groups in the area;  Miss Hothersall advised that to date 80 Groups have signed up for the Training Programmes, with  36 in the OLI Area.  The training programmes will include First Aid, Social Media, Applying for Funding, Income Boosting and Volunteer Recruiting.

 

(Reference: Verbal update by Becky Hothersall, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council)

 

 

Scottish Youth Parliament

 

Ryan MacIntyre of MSYP provided a verbal update to the Group which included information on the education change programme; a programme for organisations to make documentation more young person friendly; upcoming roadshows in schools, Cowal Games and work in conjunction with Police Scotland.  He invited any partners to make contact with them if they required any advice on engaging with young people.

 

 

(Reference: Verbal Update by Ryan MacIntyre, Scottish Youth Parliament)

 

 

Oban Community Council

 

Duncan Martin advised that Oban Community Council have set up a sub group to respond to Argyll and Bute Council concerning the Oban Harbour.  Mr Martin reported that the Community Council  feel there is not enough information available at present to assess the proposal fully.

 

Mr Martin recognised the skeleton document  and welcomed the opportunity for full consultation on the final version before it is submitted to Transport Scotland, and that the Council is beginning to take a more coproductive/collaborative approach to the process.

 

Mr Martin supported, the principal, of the establishment of the municipal port as a stepping stone and the fastest means of implementing the Revision Order, adding that the final Harbour Regulation Order must make reference towards this being an interim stage in the move towards a Trust Port.

 

Duncan Martin also highlighted to the Group that Community Council Elections are due in October 2022 and the nomination process is now open to all.

 

(Reference: Verbal Update by Duncan Martin, Oban Community Council)

 

 

 

 

 

An overview of Sustaining Choices was presented to the Group advising of the partners who are involved their aim being to give the residents of Oban a voice to decide what should be done to make travel choices more attractive and appealing.  More engagement with the public is to take place, some data has been collected up to the end of August and it is hoped that a Community Action Plan can be produced.  There are concerns over the route from Oban to Ganavan and Dunbeg to Oban as there has been more traffic activity recently.

 

Hands up Scotland are working with the Schools and how young people travel to school.

 

Decision

 

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

 

 

(Reference: Verbal Update by Becky Hothersall on behalf of Laura Corbe)

 

The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the work undertaken by the Climate Change Working Group in relation to the production of a Climate Change Action Plan for Argyll and Bute.

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.     noted the information provided and

 

2.    Agreed that Climate Change Item be considered earlier at future meetings..

 

There were no verbal updates provided under this item.

 

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, 9th November 2022 at 2pm.

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, 9th November 2022 at 2pm.