Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:-

Joanna Peebles, Scottish Water

Veronica Kennedy, NHS Highland

Glenn Heritage, Third Sector Partnership

There were no declarations of interest.

Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Planning Group – 11 September 2013

The Minutes of the previous meeting of 11^th September 2013 were approved as a correct record.

Verbal update and presentation by the Head of Facility Services and Frank Roach, HITRANS

Frank Roach from HITRANS and the Head of Facility Services gave a presentation to the Group on the extra train arrangements which will be in place from May 2014 onwards and how they intended to manage these services.

He spoke about their current plans to replace bus shelters and make the service better for our area.

A number of concerns regarding pupil safety were raised, and there was a request for a parent group to be formed as a matter of urgency to discuss these and associated issues. There was a also a request that a trial run of the service be undertaken in advance of the summer holidays in order that logistical issues are addressed before the full service is introduced in August 2104. The Head of Facility Services agreed to progress both of these matters.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

• Food and Health
• Mental Health and Wellbeing

Reports by Alison McGrory

Food and Health

It was agreed that the report on Food and Health would come to the March 2013 meeting.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Lorna Crawford gave an update to the Group on mental health and wellbeing and suicide prevention in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

1. The Group noted the paper;
2. The Group agreed to provide support for the ongoing stakeholder consultation regarding the Choose Life Project Service Level Agreement; and
3. The Group considered their role in relation to prevention of suicide and self harm in Argyll and Bute.

(Ref:  Report by Lorna Crawford dated October 2013, submitted).

Alistair Davidson from Police Scotland gave a presentation in regards to proposed structural changes within Police Scotland.   He advised the proposed change in Argyll and Bute is based on a model that is successful in West Dunbartonshire.

The group gave further discussion to potential difficulties that local police officers could encounter travelling between the geographical areas within their allotted area and on the impact that reduced senior officer resource could have which would onto both statistics and local community issues. The agreement of the meeting was that the proposed changes were not acceptable.

The Group noted the information provided.

Eddie Renfrew from Scottish Fire and Rescue updated the Group on the 50 accidental dwelling house fires from the beginning of April 2013 and advised there has been 15 home visits in the area.

He advised that the Bonfire Campaign was a success and Taynuilt Primary School won their competition.

Eddie informed the Group that Scottish Fire and Rescue have recently started the Winter Campaign which covers safety with alcohol, candles, home safety and chimney fires.

He advised they are currently looking to address personnel and have a meeting in early January, when they are also holding a ‘Firefighter for the Day’ event on 10^th January where they will be inviting a selected number of people into the station to run workshops on what Scottish Fire and Rescue carry out on a day to day basis and there will be the opportunity to experience in a diluted sense some of the training which fire-fighters have to undergo so that the breadth of the role of a fire fighter can be better understood.

There was no one present from Scottish Water so this item will continue to the March 2014 meeting where Joanna Peebles, the new Regional Community Team Manager will be present.

Iona MacPhail from ACHA gave a presentation to the Group.

She spoke about the associations new build programme with 8 houses in Dalmally, 40 new houses at Glenshellach in Oban and 2 for Bonawe . .

She advised that the ACHA payment card that has been introduced in 2011 has taken in £3 Million in a year and is working well for their tenants.

The Group noted the information provided.

• Establishment of Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (AICCT)

Report by Julie Young, Development Officer

A report advising the Group of the progress with the Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust was considered.

The report speaks about the ACCIT which is the partnership organisation that is intended to support the main themes of the Single Outcome Agreement in terms of improving our economy, attracting more people to live and visit Argyll and Bute, and working together in local communities to deliver services in a different way.  The ACCIT intends to be ready for an official launch in Spring 2014.

Julie Young, Development Officer gave a presentation to the Group.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report and presentation.

(Ref:  Report and presentation by Julie Young, Development Officer dated 11^th December 2013, submitted).

• Oban Befriending Report

Duncan MacLeod from Befrienders, gave a presentation to the Group on Befriending for the Elderly and the positive impact which the scheme can bring to isolated elderly people.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and agreed that the provision of such a scheme in Oban, Lorn and the Isles would be of great benefit to the whole community.

There were no third sector partnership updates intimated.

Report by Area Governance Officer

A report updating the Area Community Planning Group regarding the main pieces of work undertaken by the Area Community Safety Partnerships was considered.

Decision

The Group noted the work undertaken.

(Ref: Report by the Area Governance Manager dated 8 November 2013, submitted).

Report by Public Transport Officer

A report detailing the level of integration between the public transport network and popular footpaths was considered.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

(Ref:  Report by Public Transport Officer dated 11^th December 2013, submitted).

Report by Quality Improvement Officer (to follow)

It was agreed that this item would be taken at the March 2013 meeting.

Verbal update by Head of Improvement and HR

The Head of Improvement and HR spoke on the SOA that the Council had endorsed in June 2013.  She advised a 3 year improvement plan had been drawn up, spoke regarding the themes which make up the SOA as well as outlining the process for taking forward area based engagement events.

Decision

The Group noted the update provided by the Head of Improvement and HR.

Presentation  by Development Worker, Social Enterprise Team

Brenda Sutherland from the Social Enterprise Team gave a presentation to the group and updated everyone on recent issues regarding the benefits and the process of Third Sector Asset Transfer.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

(Ref:  Presentation by Development Worker dated 3^rd December 2013, submitted).

Verbal update by the Head of Improvement and HR

The Service Officer for Community Regeneration and Voluntary Support advised that the Consultation events were currently ‘on hold’.  She advised of forthcoming workshop to be held on Tuesday 4^th February 2014 in the Corran Halls, Oban with an evening question time event.

Decision

The group agreed the workshop dates.