Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:-

Councillor Jim Lynch, Argyll and Bute Council

Councillor Andrew Kain, Argyll and Bute Council

Councillor Willie Hume, Argyll and Bute Council

Kirsty McLuckie, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

Jane Fowler, Head of Customer & Support Services, Argyll and Bute Council

Inspector Lee Page, Police Scotland

Chief Inspector Simon Shanks, Police Scotland

Michelle Mundie, ACHA

Aileen Jackson, Oban High School

George Turner, Scottish Ambulance Service

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group meeting held on 8 November 2023 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The group gave consideration to a report which outlined the governance arrangements of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group (Area CPG) specifically the Terms of Reference, membership and future meeting dates.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group

1.    considered and adopted the Terms of Reference submitted in this report (Appendix 1) and to agree that these be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure their ongoing currency and appropriateness for the work of the Area CPG as it develops over time.

2.    considered and agreed the membership of the group as attached (Appendix 2) and to agree 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

3.    noted the future meeting dates submitted in this report.

(Reference: Report by, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 7 February 2024, submitted)

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The group gave consideration to a report providing information relating to the appointment of Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group and outlined the expected time commitment and information on the role.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group agreed to continue the report to the next meeting in May.

(Reference: Report by, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 7 February 2024, submitted)

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee held on 12 January 2024. The report provided a summary of a presentation in relation to the Council’s Area Plans, as well as information on matters arising from previous Area Community Planning Group meetings across Argyll and Bute. The report also included updates on a number of cross cutting themes such as Climate Change; Financial Inclusion; Digital Communities; the Argyll and Bute Outcomes Improvement Plan (ABOIP) for 2024-34; and Community Wealth Building.

Decision

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

(Reference:  Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 31 January 2024, submitted)

Presentation by Corporate Support Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

Consideration was given to a presentation by the Corporate Support Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, in relation to the Council’s Area Plans. The presentation provided background information in relation to the Plans, as well as details of the 8 Locality Plans across Argyll and Bute, and the purpose and principles of the Plans. The presentation also included context about the scope of the Plans; the importance of community engagement and efficient use of resources in the development of the plans; the overall approach, governance and phasing of the Plan’s development; and the ways in which information from the development of the Plans would be utilised.

The Corporate Support Manager noted that it was hoped that the Area Plans would maximise the opportunities for funding for local projects. It was anticipated that the Plans would be developed and owned by the communities, and the Area Community Planning Groups would have an important part to play in the development of the Plans. He emphasised that the Plans were not seeking to take ownership of projects away from local community groups.

The presentation provided details of how partners could assist with the Area Plans by identifying community groups in the area; identifying physical locations suitable for hosting consultation documents; and encouraging community partners to engage with the development process. The Corporate Support Manager advised that he would provide a list of currently identified community groups for circulation to the Group following the meeting, in order to reduce duplication in identifying any additional groups for consultation.

Decision

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

(Reference:  Presentation by Corporate Support Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted)

Presentation by Research Associate, Includem

The Committee Manager advised that David Gould, Associate Researcher, Includem, was not in a position to join the meeting.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group agreed to continue the report to the next meeting in May.

(Reference:  Leaflet by Includem, submitted)

Presentation by Community Justice Co-Ordinator, Argyll and Bute

Consideration was given to a presentation which provided information in relation to the draft Argyll and Bute Community Justice Plan 2023-27. The report provided details in relation to the National Strategy for Community Justice; the core membership of the Community Justice Partnership; the overall strategic context of the Vision for Justice in Scotland and National Strategy for Community Justice; the development of the Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plan (CJOIP); the Community Justice Pathways Assessment process; and the timescales for the consultation and publication of the plan.

The Community Justice Co-Ordinator particularly highlighted work being carried out to address the identified priorities, including collaboration with the Alcohol and Drug Partnership; the Justice Advocacy pilot with Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service.

Decision

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

(Reference:  Presentation by Community Justice Co-Ordinator, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted)

Report by Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

Consideration was given to a public health update from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team on the ongoing wellbeing and prevention activities overseen and delivered by them in Argyll and Bute. The update provided information on the Argyll and Bute Public Health Annual Report; the development of children and young people’s health and wellbeing profiles; ongoing health and wellbeing profile workshops; the Cool2Talk online support service for young people; and the annual Director of Public Health Report, which will be presented at the next cycle of the Area Community Planning Groups.

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)

Presentation by Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

The group gave consideration to a presentation by Rory Munro, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team, on the Children and Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Profile for the Bute and Cowal area. The presentation provided information in relation to the Profile themes; the purposes of the Profiles; the layout of the report and how to navigate it; the reasons for any gaps in the Profiles; and the type of data in the Profiles and ways in which this could be used by partners.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Public Health Team, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership)

Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on yearly crime statistics; fraud prevention and awareness, specifically relating to scam calls; personal safety inputs provided to Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service staff; the continued work of the Designated Youth Engagement Officer within Oban and in particular working in Oban High School;  Community Police Officer visited Salen Primary School and spent time with Primaries 1 – 4; the success at the Divisional Recognition Awards 2023 and the support on the 16 days Against Gender Based Violence campaign.

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 report which highlighted the performance and activity of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service within the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area during financial quarter 3 of 2023/24.  The report included information on the local firefighter training plan; local incident statistics; unwanted fire alarm signals; road and water safety campaigns; community engagement activities; East and West Dunbartonshire Argyll and Bute Local Senior Officer activities and home fire safety.

Decision

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

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

Consideration was given to an update from Argyll and Bute Citizen’s Advice Bureau which provided statistical information on the number of clients who had contacted the Bureau between January and December 2023; the Volunteer Advisor training programme; the annual programme of energy efficiency advice sessions and services that the Bureau provide; last year the Bureau in Argyll and Bute assisted 2000 clients which resulted in £1.5m financial gain to these clients.

Jen Broadhurst highlighted that the Bureau was in the process of updating their Development Plan for the next 3 years and would welcome input from elected members and community representative groups. The Development Plan will be presented to the Board in April for final agreement.

Decision

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

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

Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing work of the Living Well Network across Mull, Iona, Coll and Tiree.  Carol Flett also advised that 3 local charities had been successful in obtaining funding through the Third Sector Interface.

An event has been arranged for 14 May in Rockfield Centre, Oban. The morning session is for Living Well Network Members and the afternoon session is open to the public where they will be able to gather information from charities, organisations, people who provide support about the support that is available for them.  A further day is arranged for 28^th August 2024 at An Talla, Isle of Tiree.  Mainland based organisations, charities etc. will be welcome to come to Tiree for the day to share information about the support they can provide to people on Tiree.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Oban, Lorn and the Islands Living Well Network, submitted)

Consideration was given to the written report submitted by Oban Access Panel, the report provided an update on the Braille Labelling Campaign, which has been discussed in Holyrood. The petition remains open to anyone who has not registered their interest and can be found at:-

http:/petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE1997

In addition to the report, Jim Tolmie highlighted a discussion that took place at the Oban Access Panel’s November meeting regarding the lack of opticians serving Island communities and those unable to travel. Mr Tolmie advised that none of the franchised opticians are serving much of the locality.

Decision

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

1)    considered and noted the reports; and

2)    agreed that the Oban, Lorn and the Islands Living Well Network, TSI and Crossroads would work with the Oban District Access Panel to explore solutions to encouraging greater access to Optical Services within the rural and island based communities.

(Reference: Report by Oban District Access Panel, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from UHI Argyll highlighting the list of courses which are available; UHI have also been commissioned to deliver the UK Government’s Multiply Programme. The scheme offers free tutoring, digital training, and flexible courses to improve adults’ numeracy skills; a successful open day was held on 11 January at all UHI Centres across Argyll with an additional day being planned for mid-March.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by UHI Argyll, submitted)

The group gave consideration to a report from Live Argyll - Community Learning. The update provided information relating to adult literacy and numeracy provision; the HMI Community Learning and Development Progress Visit of Argyll and Bute Council and the newly elected Members    of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Argyll and Bute. Partners were encouraged to look at the Community Learning Development Review  Survey, which can be accessed by following this link –

 https://consult.gov.scot/lifelong-learning-and-skills/community-learning-practitioners-stakeholders/

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Live Argyll Community Learning Services, submitted)

Crossroads

Joan Best highlighted that Crossroads are now supporting 79 carers with around 195hrs of respite offered per week. Crossroads have also been in discussions with key stakeholders to establish the service on Tiree with referrals expected soon.

Hope Kitchen

Catriona Petit advised that the Climate Hub is open and Time for Change hold a café within Hope Kitchen each month. Support work around alcohol and addictions continues, focusing on recovery and reducing stigma.   Food Poverty, Cost of Living Crisis and Mental Health support will be delivered from the new shop space in George Street which should be open in March.

Community Development Team

Ailie Law highlighted that the Supporting Communities Fund is now open and will run until 18 March 2024. Anyone wanting further information can contact any of the Community Development Team or follow the link:-

https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/my-community/communities-and-partnerships/supporting-communities-fund

Skills Development Scotland

Susan MacRae advised that a new careers advisor is now in post, covering the High Schools in Oban, Mull, Tiree and Lochgilphead and a School Leavers Information paper is going to the Council for consideration.  Susan encouraged anyone on Facebook to follow the DYW Argyll and Bute to see all the good work that is being carried out between employers and our schools.

Report by Climate Change Project Manager

The group considered a report from the Climate Change Project Manager, which provided an update on the Community Planning Partnership’s Argyll and Bute Climate Action project. The update included information in relation to the background and work of the Climate Change Working Group; funding requirements to support the implementation of a Climate Change Project Manager post; an overview of the work of the Climate Change Project Manager to date and future plans; collaboration with the Argyll & Bute Climate Action Network Hub; and updated governance arrangements for the Climate Change Working Group.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the approach and status of the project, as outlined in the report.

(Reference: Report by Climate Change Project Manager, ACT Now, dated 6 February 2024, submitted)

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group would be Wednesday, 8 May 2024.