Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone and outlined the procedure for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

Iain Hutchison, Police Scotland;

Fergus Murray, Argyll and Bute Council;

Emma Clark, Wild About Argyll;

Dr Lynda Mitchell, ALIenergy;

Susan MacRae, Skills Development Scotland;

Ali Martin, MECCOP;

Seonaid Cameron, Argyll Housing Community Association Ltd;

Gordon Boyle, Scottish Fire and Rescue;

Theresa Bain, University of Highland and Islands, Argyll; and

Judith Hawcroft, North Argyll Carers

Catriona Petit, New Hope Kitchen

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Wednesday, 17 August 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Committee Manager

The group gave consideration to a report which sought the appointment of Ryan MacIntyre, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, (MYSP) to its membership and the appointment to the position of Vice-Chair for the Oban, Lorn & The Isles Area Community Planning Group.  

Decision

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

1.    agreed to include Ryan MacIntyre MSYP to the membership of the Group;

2.    noted that the membership in its entirety, and the Terms of Reference would be considered at the next meeting; and

3.    appointed Ryan Macintyre MSYP as Vice Chair.

The Group agreed to a variation in the order of business to facilitate partner attendance, these minutes reflect the order that items were considered.

Update from Aideen Shields from Isle of Kerrera Trust

Update from Isle of Kerrera Development Trust

Aideen Shields gave a presentation on the projects that the Isle of Kerrera Development Trust are involved with. Aideen advised that the Development Trust have made tremendous progress with key projects recently with Islanders being delighted at the completion of the north/south road, which enables residents to safely access the lifeline ferry.

Aideen advised that a funding package has recently been secured to commence on the final phase of renovation to the Old School, due to open as a community hub in summer 2023. The Development Trust are aspiring to undertake further projects such as:

• Council adopted road improvements.
• Road adoption of the new north/south road.
• Bigger ferry with more capacity for people/vehicles.
• Improved ferry timetable.
• Introduction of a functional bus service that links to the ferry timetable.
• Improved car parking and road safety at Gallanach ferry terminal.
• Successful and sustainable operational community facility at the Old School.
• Enhanced visitor experience- toilets, heritage exhibition, ebike hire.
• Programme of community activities.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group commended the work being undertaken by the Isle of Kerrera Development Trust and noted the information provided.

The Group considered a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ2 review of local performance across Oban, Lorn and the Isles for the period 2022-23. The report included information on the local firefighter training plan, incidents during this time period and recent community engagement activities.  It has also been a busy period with bonfires and fireworks, advice has been given to local communities and schools.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue, submitted)

The group gave consideration to a written update which has been provided by

Petra Pearce of Argyll Third Sector Interface.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Argyll TSI, submitted)

The Group considered a public health update from Samantha Campbell, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership. The update highlighted information on the Public Health Team Annual Report for 2021-22 and the Mid Strategy Living Well Report for 2019-21.

Decision

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

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

Jim Tolmie introduced the campaign of getting basic braille onto the labels of foodstuffs on behalf of the Oban and District Access Panel. Jim advised that a flyer has been produced to highlight the campaign and that they have been working with Disability Quality Scotland and Sight Scotland. While support has been given by Holyrood to this initiative the labelling of foodstuffs must go to the Food Standards Agency in Aberdeen for agreement.

Marie Harrower explained to the group how difficult it is for poor sighted and non-sighted people to access the correct foodstuffs.  Although most items have a QR Code they can be difficult to find and you also need equipment, where it would be easier if braille was added to the label of foodstuff.  Marie advised that a national supermarket has already added braille to their own brand products which is excellent,  the campaign has moved quickly over the past year and the more people that are aware of it the better.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Group noted, considered and commended the update.

(Reference, Promotional Flyer presented by Oban Access Panel, submitted)

Robert Kincaid gave a brief update on the work being undertaken by the Oban Community Harbour Development Association. Robert advised that the Council were soon to submit a second Draft of the Harbour Order to the Scottish Government for consideration and that the Management Group still has issues concerning the consultation that had been undertaken. 

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Oban Community Harbour Development Association, submitted)

The Group considered an update from the Islands Living Well Network presented by Carol Flett. Carol advised that Kirsty McLuckie was leaving her post at the Oban Youth Café and her role as the Coordinator for Oban and Lorn Living Well Network and that she would be covering the Oban area for the time being. Carol advised that the Network had taken out adverts in local newspapers advertising their services. 

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Group considered and noted the report.

(Reference. Report by Islands Living Well Network, submitted)

Jen Broadhurst advised that the Citizens Advice Bureau Volunteer Adviser Training Programme recommenced in September, and they now have 5 new volunteers progressing well at this time, these trainees will start to provide advice in the spring once they have completed their training. The CAB have secured extra funding to support households across the area to access energy advice.  Individuals can now access advice and support with the Money Talk Team through a dedicated website www.moneytalkteam.org.uk where they can look at options of how to maximize their household income. The date of the AGM has changed to 9^th December at the Helensburgh Community Hub.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Group considered and noted the report.

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute Citizen Advice Bureau, submitted)

PC Laura Evans had technical difficulties so was unable to give an overview of the written report which she had submitted.  The report within the agenda pack highlights the Dementia Safeguarding Tag, which is due to be launched in November 2022 with support from Alzheimer Scotland.  The aim of the project is to provide everyone living with Dementia a Safeguarding Tag, which is a small discreet device that can be attached to a bag or in a purse.  The Tag can be tapped against any smartphone, which will then flag up the name of the person and who to contact if they are in need of assistance. Promotional flyers, information of how to get a tag and liaising with local shops and supermarkets will be cascaded in due course.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted)

The group gave consideration to a written update which was provided by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Department of Work and Pensions, submitted)

Crossroads Argyll Update

Joan Best gave a verbal update advising that Crossroads are now supporting 67 unpaid carers, which include 4 on Seil, 8 on Mull and 1 in Appin, with referrals rising exponentially.  Crossroads have now moved into their new office in Gibralter Street, Oban with the official opening date set for the 25^th November on their 20^th Anniversary.

Live Argyll Community Learning Update

Rhona Grant advised that Brian Smith was no longer working with Youth Services and that a recruitment exercise was currently underway to fill this post.  Rhona reported that the service has been busy with Adult Learning events moving from a Monday to a Thursday within the Oban Library with taster sessions taking place offering a selection of craft classes. 

Consideration was given to a report which highlighted the ongoing work of the Climate Change Working Group. The report outlined the proposal to produce a strategic Action Plan as a means to address the climate emergency in Argyll and Bute; the development of governance arrangements and structures to support the Climate Change Project Officer post. Information was also provided on the funding options for the project.

 Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Stan Phillips, Chair of the Climate Change Working Group, submitted)

Marie advised that the Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCANN) is a volunteer-led network with membership open to any community group across Scotland that is taking action on the climate crisis and to any organisation that is involved with or supports such community-led action.

Marie added that funding has been secured for the next 10 years to develop networks and a Community Hub that will facilitate community groups coming together to share experiences to tackle climate change.

Decision

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

The Group considered an update by Laura Bennitt from Time for Change Argyll and Bute. Laura advised that Time for Change is a group of residents who are campaigning to raise awareness of climate change.

Laura highlighted that as a group they are increasingly concerned with the need to build resilience in all areas and communities in Argyll and Bute. They are working with civil contingencies to identify areas and organise reliance plans.  Robert from Scottish Fire and Rescue advised that the Fire Service could assist with the resilience plans.

Laura added that recently the some of the elected members of the Council had undertaken Climate Change Literacy training.

Training is available online on 23^rd/24^th November and 1^st /2^nd /7^th  and 8^th December.  Anyone interested should contact Jamie.joyce@act-now.com

Decision

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

(Reference: report by Time for Change Argyll and Bute, submitted)

Presentation by Michelle Mundie, Chief Executive Argyll Community Housing Association

Michelle Mundie introduced herself as ACHA’s new chief executive and provided a verbal update highlighting some of the recent work.  It was noted that ACHA had held their AGM in September where ACHA tenant Cathy Grant of Glendaruel was elected as Chair of the Association.  Employee Lachlan Woods had attended the National Awards where he received the award Energy Champion of the Year, an award that covered the whole of the UK.

ACHA’s investment in new housing stock saw 10 new units at Inveraray in June 2022, 4 units at Tarbert to be signed off in December,  2 new units at Millknowe which are dementia friendly to be signed off on 4^th November.  New developments will be coming on stream including at Dalintober and Port Ellen.

A rent consultation is about to commence and all tenants will be written to.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Group considered and noted the report.

(Reference: Presentation by, Michelle Mundie, Chief Executive of ACHA submitted)

Report presented by Robert Beauchamp, Centre for Business & Economic Research

The Group considered a presentation by Robert Beachaump. It was highlighted that the Phase 2 report was a quantitative analysis of the impacts of CalMac as a company (employment, Gross Value Added, turnover, and employee compensation supported directly and through the supply chain), and of impacts of service levels on island communities (ferry users’ welfare, economic activity, employment, population), based on Phase 1 findings, desk research, analysis, fieldwork and socio-economic modelling..

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Robert Beauchamp, submitted)

Update by Emma Sutcliffe, General Manager, MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust

The Group received an update from Emma Sutcliffe on the progress of Dunollie Museum and Castle Grounds, highlighting that over 16,000 people had visited since April 2022, some of these visitors were able to access the first floor of Dunollie Castle following ongoing restoration works.  Phase 1 of a project to install a handrail along the Dunollie Castle Path to assist visitors in climbing the steep path was recently been completed.

Emma highlighted the social impact the museum has had as well as some of the groups on offer, such as the New Routes Health and Wellbeing Group, Threads and Yarns Group and the Gaelic Language sessions which are delivered online and in partnership with the Furan Gaelic Centre.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Group considered, noted and commended the report.

(Reference: Report by Emma Sutcliffe, Dunollie Museum Castle Grounds, submitted)

Report by Governance Manager

Consideration was given to a briefing note which provided information on matters discussed during a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee, held on 6 October 2022.

Stuart McLean spoke to the report and highlighted updates on topics including the Cost of Living Crisis, The Child Poverty Action Plan and the CPP Annual Report.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Shona Barton, Governance Manager, submitted)

The Chair thanked everyone in attendance at the meeting, and thanked all partners for their continued proactive work in the community.

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group would take place on Wednesday, 8 February 2023 at 10am.