Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Alistair MacDougall, Alison McGrory and David Adams McGilp.

None.

The Minutes of the Meeting of 12^th December 2012 were approved as a correct record subject to the amendment on page 2 at item 4(a) to read £16K of funding and not £60K.

The Minutes of the Meeting of 16^th January 2013 were approved as a correct record.

Eddie Renfrew from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue advised that the winter strategy had now been completed and was a success.  They had engaged with partners to help reduce fires over the festive period.  During the previous 5 years there had been an average of 9 fires, and last Christmas this was reduced to 3 which was a fantastic 60% reduction.

Eddie updated the Group on a pilot project which has been run in partnership with Tesco.  This involved home fire safety visit leaflets being included with each Tesco home delivery order to publicise the service.  It is hoped that this will be rolled out nationally.

Eddie advised that as of 1^st April 2013 Strathclyde Fire and Rescue would become part of a new National Fire Service and a new Local Area Plan was being created for the new service. Copies of the Plan were distributed and Eddie spoke on the local priorities. The key message is that the public will see no change to local service delivery when the new National Service comes into being.

Action: Copies of the Local Fire and Rescue Plan to be circulated electronically to all those on the distribution list for the Community Planning Group.

Local Area Policing Plan - Verbal update by Brian Auld

Chief Inspector Brian Auld from Strathclyde Police updated the Group on the top 5 local priorities in the Oban Lorn and the Isles area which were:-

• Drug Dealing/Use
• Drunk & Disorderly Behaviour
• Assault/Violent Crime
• Speeding Motorists
• House Breakings and Theft

The force/divisional priorities are:-

• Violence, Disorder & Antisocial Behaviour
• Serious & Organised Crime & Terrorism
• Public Protection
• Road Safety & Road Crime.

Brian advised of the creation of a Community Investigation Team which has a remit to investigate housebreakings and thefts. The new national force, Police Scotland, comes into existence on 1^st April 2013, and, like the fire service, the public should see no change to local service delivery.  The local Police plan is in the final stage of development and Brian agreed that he would circulate the final plans to Partners.

Brian informed the Group that he is moving on to West Dunbartonshire to work and that Alastair Davidson would be taking up the Oban post. Councillor Glen-Lee thanked Brian on behalf of the Group for all his hard work.

Screening Programme - Update by Jackie Dickson

NHS Highland could not make this meeting but will update the Group at the next meeting on 12^th June.

A report about the current Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils and Best Practice Agreement was considered.

Decision

The Group agreed:-

                                                                i.                             To note the proposals for engagement with the various stakeholders and that there were no specific issues that the Group wished to highlight to the Short Life Work Group.

                                                              ii.                             To note the process for review as outlined in paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4.

 (Ref:  Report by Area Governance Officer dated 20^th February 2013, submitted).

Katrina Sayer from Argyll Voluntary Action advised the Group that there is a Third Sector Forum on 11^th April in Argyll College at 11:30am.

She also advised that the closing date for the Volunteer of the Year Awards is on 12^th April and that the event is taking place on 12^th May.

Report by Area Governance Officer.

A report advising the Area Community Planning Group of the main activities of the Community Safety Partnership which have taken place in the last reporting period was considered.

Decision

The Group noted the highlight/exception reports from the Community Safety Partnership.

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Officer dated 14 March 2013, submitted).

                i.                             Effective Integration of Local Transport Networks

Update by Public Transport Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

              ii.                             Potential for LEADER Funding for Core Path Development

Update by Economic Development Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

             iii.                             General Funding Information for Core Paths

Update by Social Enterprise Senior Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

            iv.                             Update on Oban – Tyndrum Path

Update by Stephen Austin, Scottish Natural Heritage

              v.                             Core Paths as an Economic Tourism Driver

Update by David Adams McGilp, Strategic Tourism Partnership

Effective Integrations of Local Transport Networks

The Public Transport Officer gave an update on the statutory obligations in relation to the provision and co-ordination of public transport and the publicity surrounding this. Each mode of transport has its own regulatory framework to work within and this sometimes results in difficulties achieving a fully integrated service. He advised details of areas where the Council has been successful in bringing about integrated public transport services.

Decision

The Group agreed to provide information to the Public Transport Officer on more specific routes and popular places which would benefit from improved public transport integration to enable him to report back to the next Community Planning Meeting.

Potential for LEADER Funding for Core Path Development

Lorna Elliot gave an update on the current and new LEADER Programme that is due to run from 2014-2020.

The group noted the information provided.

General Funding Information for Core Paths

Arlene Cullum, Social Enterprise Senior Officer gave an update on the general funding potentially available for core paths.

Decision

The Group agreed that the Social Enterprise Senior Officer would report to a representative of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Councils and the Coast and Countryside Trust with a note on what was discussed at this meeting. The meeting also agreed that a request be submitted from the Oban Lorn And the Isles Community Planning Group to the Coast and Countryside Trust asking that one person representing the OLI Community Councils have a place on the Trust.

Update on Oban – Tyndrum Path

It was agreed that a further invite would be extended to Stephen Austin from Scottish National Heritage to attend the June Community Planning Group.

Core Paths as an Economic Tourism Driver

It was agreed that a further invite would be extended to David Adams McGilp from the Strategic Tourism Partnership to attend the June Community Planning Group.

A report was considered to seek comments and feedback from Partners on the latest draft of Argyll and Bute’s new Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) 2013-2023.

Councillor Glen-Lee asked that feedback and comments from Community Councils be passed directly to Eileen Wilson, IOD Project Officer.

Decision

The Group agreed:-

                                                                i.                             To note the draft outcomes for the Single Outcome Agreement 2013-2023;

                                                              ii.                             To note that elected Members will have the opportunity to comment on the draft outcomes at the Council meeting scheduled for the 21^st March 2013; and

                                                             iii.                             To note that a final draft of the Single Outcome Agreement will be presented for approval by the Full Partnership on the 27^th March 2013.

(Ref:  Report by IOD Programme Officer dated 14^th March 2013, submitted).

Presentation by Katrina Sayer

Katrina Sayer from Argyll Voluntary Action updated the Group on the Steps to Excellence Course that helps people exercise good judgement, develop trust in their own ability, take responsibility and gain confidence and self esteem.  The programme also aims to provide people with genuine experience of personal accomplishment and success, and tools to realise full potential.

It is a 3 year project to support survivors of domestic abuse which has now been running for 6 months.   She advised that anyone who has experienced this can become involved with the project and that already she has a steady steam of referrals.

Marri Malloy from Oban Community Council told the Group that the course is taking place in Soroba, it is successful and well attended and job opportunities are being created through it.

Presentation by Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation

The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation gave a presentation on the Lorn Arc Tax Incremental Finance Initiative.

He spoke about the business case for this and the investment of £20M over a 10 year period.  The benefits of this would improve infrastructure, create over 1000 jobs locally and nationally, attract new people to the area, create more housing and encourage existing residents to stay.

Robert then went on to talk about extending the North Pier and how this would be a good thing for marine tourism, in terms of improved parking and junctions and serviced land for business units.

Sandy Mactaggart told the Group this was a great opportunity and spoke about support from the Scottish Futures Trust. He also agreed to provide Connel Community Council with information regarding the links from the Lorn Arc Project to the Local Development Plan which is currently being consulted on, specifically in regards the site at Saulmore Bay.

Les Stewart from Connel Community Council congratulated Robert and Sandy on this project and asked if we were successful and didn’t meet the payments as planned would there be penalties.  Robert advised that the Scottish Futures Trust monitor this but the development will be phased to ensure that any risk is minimised, each phase will only proceed only once there is a business case which proves there will be economic benefit from the project.

Neil MacIntyre from Oban Community Council asked when this will come to the Council to be finalised.

Sandy told the Group he hoped it would be finalised at the Council in May 2013.

Decision

The Group agreed to bring this item back to a future Community Planning Group and that the Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation would meet with the Community Councils to discuss the project.

Update by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure

The Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure gave an update on Oban Airport following on from the Budget discussions at the last Community Planning Group meeting.  He spoke about the Argyll Air Service, Passenger Figures, financial information and the landing figures.

Neil MacIntyre from Oban Community Council asked why the landing figures had gone down and the  Executive Director responded by advising that the Council are currently undertaking an exercise to look at maintaining these.  He also advised that when the Council reviewed the operations 3 years ago, they had looked at the contract and landing dues in terms of the pay back of money. 

After much discussion the meeting noted that Oban Airport is a key component of the Lorn Arc/TIF Project, that it is recognised by partners, including the Scottish Futures Trust as a positive economic driver for the Oban and Lorn area, and that the provision of the airport has had a positive social and economic benefit on the island communities who benefit from direct air links to Oban.

Update from Head of Facility Services.

The Area Governance Manager updated the Group on behalf of the Head of Facility Services.  She informed the Group that the Project Team has continued to progress matters with Northern Territory hubco to ensure full compliance with the requirements set by the Scottish Futures Trust.  Their work is currently focussed on developing a firmer indicative timeline for the delivery of the project together with the necessary arrangements for the consultation on potential sites.  In the case of the latter, it is envisaged that a similar process will be followed to that adopted for the Campbeltown Grammar School project which is slightly further ahead.  This made full provision for public consultation on the available options.

Papers on both matters are currently being developed for initial consideration at the Project Board Meeting on 22^nd March.  The initial drafts will also be subject to consideration by the Council’s Strategic Management Team next week.  Thereafter, subject to the drafts being acceptable, the papers will be forwarded for consideration by the Area Committee and the Council in April.

Report by Community Development Officer.

A report proposing that each area organise an Area Forum to increase the opportunity for communities to engage with local Community Planning was considered.  A Short Life Working Group was formed to discuss how this could be most productive in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

Decision

The Group agreed with the suggestions from the Short Life Working Group and requested that these proposals go forward to the Management Committee to feed into further discussions about Area Forums.

(Ref:  Report by Community Development Officer dated 14 March 2013, submitted).