Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, and thanked Robert Taylor, Scottish Fire and Rescue for hosting the meeting.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

Susan MacRae, Skills Development Scotland

Joan Best, Crossroads

Sgt Matt Shaw, Police Scotland

John McLuckie, Argyll and Bute Council

Andy MacPherson, Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust

Ian Woodcock, Transport Scotland

Councillor Julie McKenzie, Argyll and Bute Council

Councillor Jim Lynch, Argyll and Bute Council

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Wednesday 14 August 2024 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a report providing information on the role of Vice-Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group.

The Committee Manager advised that he had received an intimation of interest from Councillor Julie McKenzie in this position and invited nominations from Partners. 

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group unanimously agreed to appoint Councillor Julie McKenzie as Vice-Chair, subject to her acceptance of this position.

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, dated 13 November submitted)

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Full Partnership meeting held on 16 September 2024. The report provided information on the Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership Delivery Plan for 2022-25; the CPP initiative to develop a Climate Change Strategy and Framework; the history of Community Wealth Building within the Community Planning Partnership; the key priorities for the new Regional Transport Strategy for the development of transport in the region over the next 20 years; the current housing emergency and the action plan agreed in June 2024 and the proposed Population Health Framework for Scotland which is to be adopted by the Scottish Government, CoSLA, Public Health Scotland and Health Boards.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 5 November 2024, submitted)

Report by Health Improvement Senior, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, and Alcohol and Drug Partnership Co-Ordinator, 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 work of the Smoking Cessation Advisers who have been promoting the Stoptober Campaign by raising awareness of the service;  the continued work to increase awareness of the five adult screening programmes; the work of the Living Well Networks and the community events held by them; the launch of Year 5 of the Living Well Grants; The Argyll and Bute Joint Strategic Needs Assessment which will be published in November and the Art of Hosting method used to engage with communities.

The report also provided information on alcohol and drug prevention and early intervention programmes; work commissioned by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs; ongoing work to support the recovery community in Argyll and Bute and the engagement being taken forward by the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Support team.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Senior, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership and Alcohol and Drug Partnership Coordinator, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated October 2024, submitted)

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

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Sarah Peacock, Health Improvement Senior, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership which provided information on the Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership. The presentation highlighted that the mission of the Partnership is to work with and for communities and organisations in Argyll and Bute to prioritise equality, diversity and health and wellbeing and foster environments and partnerships to nurture and support all.

Sarah also outlined the Partnerships vision for a thriving Argyll and Bute where everyone has the opportunity to live well in vibrant, flourishing communities. Sarah asked the Group for feedback on how they would like to receive information on the Partnerships work and how they would want to be involved with the work of the Public Health Team.

It was noted that NHS Highland Annual Review Meeting, is due to be held on Tuesday, 19^th November in the Council Offices in Lochgilphead, this meeting is open to the public.

Decision

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

1.       noted the information provided; and

2.      agreed to provide feedback on the questions asked, to the Health Improvement Senior following the meeting.

(Reference: Presentation by Health Improvement Senior, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership)

Presentation by Corporate Resilience Manager and Resilience Officer, Argyll and Bute Council.

Consideration was given to a presentation from Susan Donnelly, Corporate Resilience Manager from Argyll and Bute Council in relation to Community Resilience in Argyll and Bute. The presentation highlighted the importance of communities and individuals harnessing resources and expertise to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies, in a way that complements the work of emergency responders.

The presentation also provided information in relation to why Community Resilience is so important, including details of potential risks and statutory sites; how Community Resilience is managed in Argyll and Bute; recent and future workstreams of the Resilience team and ongoing activity across the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area. The presentation also provided details on how Partners could engage with Argyll and Bute Council in achieving resilient communities across Argyll and Bute and that there is a Resilience Fund available to Community Councils to apply to for assistance:-

https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/argyllbute/News/View/GRUKBP3!N79817

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Corporate Resilience Manager, Argyll and Bute Council and Resilience Officer, Argyll and Bute Council)

Presentation by Strategic Transportation Policy Officer and Digital and Support Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

Consideration was given to a presentation regarding the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) from the Strategic Transportation Policy Officer and Digital and Projects Support Officer, Argyll and Bute Council. The presentation provided information on the UK Government Guidance which highlighted that there would still be an option for a ‘landline only’ service as the Communications Act (2003) means all consumers in the UK will have access to a landline service should they choose to do so.

Mr Frederick Horner advised that communication providers must not undertake any non-voluntary migration until they have confidence and that they are taking all possible steps to protect vulnerable people throughout the migration process, adding that there have been 4 groups categorised as vulnerable, which are people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, registered disabled or a telecare user. Mr Frederick Horner also advised that should people be categorised as vulnerable then they should contact their provider to advise them of this.

It was highlighted that BT are allowing people to retain the same number and providing it for the same cost and for most customers the switch over would be as simple as connecting their phone handset to a router rather than a phone socket on the wall and that customers who don’t have or want broadband will be moved to a new ‘dedicated landline service’.

The Group highlighted there concern in relation to the PSTN switch off, particularly for Island users. Mr MacInnes advised that battery back-up units would be provided for those considered ‘vulnerable’ in areas with limited signal and that further mitigation would be explored.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Strategic Transportation Policy Officer and Digital and Projects Support Officer, Argyll and Bute Council)

Consideration was given to a report from Police Scotland which provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on areas including serious and organised crime; acquisitive crime, including fraud; road safety and road crime; violent crime; public protection. The report also provided information on the appointment of a new Area Commander and the results of a Road Policing Safety Day of Action on 22^nd August, which took place in Taynuilt.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to 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 2024-25. The report included information on the local firefighter training plan; incidents during this period; unwanted fire alarm signals; road and water safety campaigns; community engagement activities; East and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Local Senior Officer Activities; and home fire safety.

Robert Taylor advised that the uptake of Home Fire Risk Assessments with the Oban, Lorn and the Isles was low and invited Partners to  encourage service users to request a risk assessment be undertaken within their homes.

Decision

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

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

The Group considered the report which highlighted a list of Third Sector Groups and Support Groups contact details, who work within the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area. The Living Well Network Co-Ordinator invited partners to share this list with their service users to enable this information to reach as many people in the communities, as possible.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by Living Well Network, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from Argyll and Bute TSI. The update provided information on policy activity; local strategic partnerships; Community Wealth Building progress; Internal matters, contracts, sector support and strategic action plan delivery; the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Year 4 grant; the continued support given to the Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network and the work of the Wellbeing Development Manager.

Decision

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

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

The Group gave consideration to an update highlighting the improvement works and maintenance undertaken by Transport Scotland within the locality.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Transport Scotland, submitted)

Hope Kitchen

Catriona Petit advised the Group that Hope Kitchen in partnership with other charities had won the Scottish Power Innovation Award in respect of the Re-Store shop that opened Oban.  This is a national award with many other nominees, so it was a wonderful achievement to be recognised.

Committee Manager Update

The Committee Manager highlighted that the Governance Arrangements of the Group would be considered at the next meeting, including the membership, advising that the Membership is drawn from public sector, third sector, private sector, community organisations and partnerships operating within the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area. Stuart encouraged partners to refer any individuals or groups who may be interested to contact him regarding their inclusion within the membership.

Stuart also advised on the availability of The John of Lorn Bequest and Coals for the Poor, Oban which are open to residents of Oban with successful individual applicants receiving £50, while those that are applying on behalf of their family receiving £100. Stuart added that applications would only be considered if applicants are in receipt of a qualifying benefit and that applications are evaluated quarterly.

Presentation by Development Officer, Poverty Alliance

Consideration was given to a presentation from Becky Hothersall from The Poverty Alliance on their Taking Action on Rural Poverty project. It was highlighted that the 3-year project is taking a collaborative approach to develop new ways of addressing the rural cost of living in Argyll and Bute and Aberdeenshire, as income based measures do not take account of the higher cost of living in rural and Island Scotland, which is between 15% to 30% higher than urban areas of the UK. Becky advised that the Alliance aims to develop practical, local measures aimed at reducing the rural premium.

The presentation also provided information on the ongoing work of the Alliance which included establishing a citizen’s panel of 13 people from across Argyll and Bute and associated next steps; support offered to rural organisations and how to join them and be part of Scotland’s anti-poverty movement.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Development Officer, The Poverty Alliance, submitted)

Report by Climate Change Project Manager, Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust

Consideration was given to a report providing an update on the Community Planning Partnership’s Argyll and Bute Climate Action Project: Developing a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Argyll and Bute. It was noted that the Project Manager was seeking feedback from Partners on the draft Strategy and Action Plan, prior to submitting a finalised version to the upcoming Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meeting in December 2024.

Decision

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

1.    noted the approach and status of the project outlined in the report; and

2.    agreed to provide comments and feedback to the Project Manager (andy@act-now.org.uk) following the meeting.

(Reference: Report by Climate Change Project Manager, Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust, dated 28 October 2024, submitted)

Oban Flooding

Duncan Martin, Oban Community Council, raised concerns over the increase of sever weather caused by Climate Change specifically flooding. The Committee Manager referred Mr Martin to a report considered by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee in June 2024 that proposed all funding opportunities be explored including lobbying the Scottish Government to seek to secure funding to implement flood prevention works in Oban.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group agreed to request that the Infrastructure Design Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, attend a future meeting to offer an update on short, medium and long term flooding mitigation measures.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Robert Taylor, Scottish Fire and Rescue, advised that the Service is responding to increased number of climate change related emergencies such as wildfires and flooding. To help the Service respond to such emergencies new equipment has been purchased.

Climate Café

Catriona Petit, Hope Kitchen, advised that the Oban Climate Café meets each month in St Johns Church or Hope Kitchen and encouraged all interested Partners to contact her for further details.

The date of the next meeting will be Wednesday, 12 February 2025.

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group would take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 12 February 2025 on Micro-Soft Teams and in the McCaig Suite, Corran Halls, Oban.