Minutes

Councillor Duncan MacIntyre

Councillor Donald McIntosh

Councillor Neil Mackay

The Minutes of the Local Area Community Planning Group held on 14^th September 2011 were approved as a correct record.

The Group noted the minutes of the Economy and Social Affairs Thematic Groups

Nicola Debnam and Joanne Casey presented information on the CHORD and Lorn Arc, stressing there was no overlap between the projects. 

The CHORD project will enhance the area and the project board are in dialogue with relevant groups, and have issued main dates to all community councils within the Oban Lorn ad the Isles area.

Council’s can access Tax Incremental Funding (TIF) to fund projects, borrowed against future rates intake for the area. A Business Case is being progressed with completion in 12 to 15 months. An Initial Project document should be available by mid December.

Community Councils in Oban Lorn and the Isles area have been sent a list with timescales.

Shaun Davidson provided an update on Care Services.

• Council care homes are not being considered for external running at present
• Invited to tender for Day Care services in September 2011, with a closing date at end of December 2011 for appointment in January.
• Ongoing review of Home Care –
• Tender Issue February 2012
• Return April 2012
• Award of Contract May 2012

The Group were reassured that the Council will still have a duty of care and will have to meet standards. Staff will be given the opportunity to apply for voluntary redundancy and others will move under TUPE.  Charges will remain as at present as the new group will not have the ability to change the Council’s charging policy.

Lynn of Lorne: In administration.  Care Concern are in situ and taking over the day-to-day running.  The situation is being monitored and there are no concerns with the establishment of referrals.

As the Local Area Manager for Social Services, Shaun is looking to set up a local forum of professionals within the area to raise awareness of adult protection.  Councillor McCuish was nominated to sit on the board of this new group.

Derek Leslie, Manager Argyll and Bute CHP, and Veronica Kennedy, Acting Locality Manager for Lorn and the Isles in David Whiteoak’s absence, were in attendance and gave an update on behalf of the task group, which Councillor Elaine Robertson sits on.

Action Plan includes:

·         Admission / Discharge policy

·         Transport / links

·         National direction of day-care surgery

·         DNA’s – people not turning up for appointments

·         Accreditation in endoscopy – public report due end November

·         Theatre activity

·         Community / primary care

·         Management plans extended to all stakeholders

·         X-ray and lab

·         Board rounds are held in each ward to ensure all professionals are aware of each case.  Social worker also involved as this helps with the discharge phase.

·         Ahead nationally in Scottish patient safety

·         New ward has now opened

·         Infection control – recent unannounced inspection raised very few actions and these have now been followed through

·         Inspection on Adult Care due next year

It was acknowledged that there is a demand for dialysis, but this requires a dedicated unit.  Satellite units have been set up in Caithness and Belford hospitals and the task group will look at this possibility, and will also try to look at homecare provision on islands. 

Derek was congratulated on the family room at the hospice and Veronica said she is working closely with the hospice; an at home worker has now been identified, and she is looking at ways to support the islands.

In response to a question from a member of the public Derek stressed that there is no threat of closure of the Lorn & Islands District General Hospital.  The number of beds are decreasing throughout the area due to more efficient working through the re-design.  £2.5 - 3m is being invested in the new dental centre and it is hoped to a attract good quality medical service.

Derek Leslie to give a response on review of maternity services and whether the current practice is cost effective.

Derek also to report back on MS nurse as Argyll and Bute has a high rate of sufferers.

Consulation Diary: It was reported that the consultation diary is not being well used at present.  A community pack is ready to be circulated and an interactive version is on the Council’s website.  

Community Engagement: Community Council training is to be held on 27^th November with a power point presentation given on Mull.

Douglas Hendry gave a power point presentation on the Council’s budget consultation, followed by presentations from Derek Leslie (Health) and Eleanor MacKinnon (Third Sector).  Handouts of the presentation to be circulated to LACPG members and Community Councils.

Cathel MacAskill spoke on road conditions and safety, advising that works are based on visual examination and schemes are ranked using a traffic light system.  Transerv act on reports of events when there is a record of fatal or injury accidents.

He explained that road closures are determined by the width of the road being worked on, with 3 months notice being given to the community where this cannot be avoided, and intimated the various methods used by Transerv to advise drivers of problems on the roads.

Current projects are:

Connel Bridge spar replacement works will be carried out from Sunday 4^th December when the bridge will close for 4/5 nights.  Emergency vehicles will be given access.

The speed limit review has concluded and is being analysed at present, a report will follow in due course. 

The Chairman thanked Cathel and congratulated him on improved consultation with the Council.

Continued to the next meeting.

Continued to the next meeting.

Wednesday 11^th January 2012, time to be advised.