Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Douglas Hendry, Link Director

The minute of the meeting held on 2^nd December 2009 was approved as a correct record.

Presentation by Robert Pollock

Robert Pollock gave a presentation on Argyll and Bute Council’s Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), which has a national strategy.  The area needs to identify key actions to improve local economy.  A report is to go the Council in March 2010 with the draft action plan for the area.  Robert highlighted an issue over the profile of the area saying that decision makers may be unaware of locations throughout the area and that the Community Planning Group must promote Argyll and Bute as part of Scotland’s future.

Robert’s presentation stimulated discussion with the group and prompted several questions covering the effect of climate trends, tension over prioritising projects, score-carding process and support for community groups. 

A discussion on renewables followed and it was suggested that the voluntary sector should feature more clearly within the plan.  It was suggested that a conference / seminar be set up to look at renewables to ensure that communities benefit from this.  The Council has good relationships with some utilities and Audrey Martin is leading on formalising this. 

A discussion followed on the development of Business Gateway and it was hoped that there would be no competition between the areas as each area has a distinct offering.  A Business Gateway adviser will cover each sub-area and the islands.  Workshops will be held on e-commerce, how to survive, ICT, cutting costs, etc. 

All agreed that a Business Gateway presentation be arranged for a future meeting.

This prompted a question on funding support for broadband access.  Businesses should work with the Council / HIE partnerships to secure possible funding.  Balancing between small and large businesses could create problems but this should be covered in the plan as schemes are about making communities benefit.

Planning gain / Section 75 Agreements (recommendation of community benefit by planning approval, either financial investment or security) are a way of improving the area. 

Community Planning starts at community level.  The various groups must define outcomes which tie in with the draft plan at Local Area level.  There will be ongoing annual contact with Robert Pollock during this process.

Local Area Groups report to Thematic groups, who then report to the Management Committee.  There is nothing in place at present for provision of funding, but if the structure is in place correctly resources may be made available at a later date.

The Chairman thanked Robert for his presentation and advice.  It was agreed that the membership list for the Local Area Community Planning Group be circulated to all members of the group.  It was further agreed that when the agenda is set others can be invited where relevant.

Ken Macdonald explained the reason for the broad headings in the Area Community Plan table which is to be set by April 2010.  Discussion took place regarding these headings, including the order, and it was agreed that this would form the main agenda item for the next meeting.  

The Chairman requested that individual area plans (i.e. fire brigade, police, voluntary sector, etc.) to be passed to Ken in Corporate Services for circulation to others within the group prior to the next meeting in order to have consistency.  

A conference is to be held in the Corran Halls on 30^th / 31^st March 2010, led by Community  Regeneration.

Agenda for next meeting to be:

1. Apologies
2. Minutes of previous meeting held on 13^th January 2010
3. Area Community Plan
4. Conference Update

It was agreed to invite the Access Manager to a future meeting to address “Public Access to Countryside”