Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made:

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Councillor Roderick McCuish;

Councillor Mary Jean Devon;

Councillor Sir Jamie McGrigor;

Councillor Jim Lynch;

Morven Gemmill, Locality Manager, Health and Social Care Partnership;

Morag MacLean, North Argyll Carers; and

Maureen Evans, Youth Worker, 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 8 May 2019 was approved as a correct record.

The Group noted that there was an action to invite Oban Hospice to attend the meeting but as they had been unable to send a representative they would be invited to a future meeting.

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners

Report for noting by Acting Associate Director – Public Health

The Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Annual Report 2018-2019  on Health and Wellbeing in Argyll and Bute was before the Group for noting.  Members were also made aware that that Kirsty McLuckie was now in post as the new coordinator.

Decision

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

1.    noted the contents of the report; and

2.    thanked Alison Hardman for her hard work and great support to the area.

(Reference: Report by Alison McGrory - Health Improvement Principal, HSCP dated 14 August 2019, submitted)

18:41- At this point in the meeting the Health Improvement Lead, Argyll & Bute HSCP left and took no further part in the meeting

Police Scotland

Inspector Mark Stephen highlighted to the Group that reported antisocial behaviour and common assaults were low for the current quarter setting the levels at a 5 year low for Oban despite the town being at its busiest.  This was aided by local license premises who had established their own forum called Pub Watch which Police Scotland attend and work closely with along with the licensing team from Dumbarton.

Members heard how a summer safety campaign was launched with the Neighbourhood Rural Watch as part of a multi-agency approach which had a focus on fraud prevention in the rural community. The Royal Bank of Scotland employed a Fraud Prevention Officer who, working in conjunction with Youth Engagement Officer, would train Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) to deliver the program aimed at raising awareness to people in rural areas about fraud prevention (in particular against online fraud) and gave advice on online safety.  Confirmation was sought and received by the Group that it is encouraged that the public report all cases of fraud to Police Scotland so that they can input data into the intelligence system to help create a national picture of reported incidents.

Members were made aware of a New Driver project to be run in conjunction with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at Oban fire station aimed at 17-25 year olds who have recently passed their driving test.

The Group noted that the new Divisional Commander was in post and engaging well with Police Officers and the public.

Discussion focused on the impact of road closures from Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) on other road users and what could be done to put information into the public domain to help explain the reasoning behind the timescales involved. It was agreed that comments would be passed on to Gillian Gardiner of the Road Policing Unit to progress.

19:05 At this point in the meeting Inspector Stephen left and took no further part in the meeting.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

John Sweeney updated the Group on current statistics which included an increase in the numbers of deliberate and grass fires though this had also been affected be the  very dry conditions for the time of year and that there is a focus on approaching high risk properties in relation to smoke detection.

The Group heard that in relation to partnership working the Fire Service are offering to train people in the use of CPR with the British Heart Foundation; that Oban’s first Pride parade was led by the Fire Service; and there is ongoing engagement with local schools with fire safety talks as well as supporting the Police’s Young Drivers’ project.

Members further noted that 6 people had been successfully recruited for local area.

Discussion focussed on the importance of fire doors in flats and the Group thanked the Fire Service for their response to a recent fire in an ACHA property. The Fire and Rescue Service was invited to ACHA’s Annual Tenant Conference which the Community Action Team will attend.

The Group considered a report submitted by the Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water which provided an update on work being undertaken in regard to wastewater disposal from campervans in the North of Scotland and Western Islands.

Decision

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

1.         noted the update;

2.         agreed that the Vice-Chair would pass comments back to the Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water in relation to a damaged mains water pipe at Lonan Drive; and

3.         agreed to ask that the wastewater project be applied to Oban, Lorn & the Isles.

(Update by Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water dated 14 August, submitted)

Consideration was given by members to a presentation shown by Eleanor McKinnon, Rockfield Community Trust, which highlighted the progression of the capital works programme and provided detail on the four core themes as – Arts & Culture, History & Heritage, Education & Enterprise, Community Wellbeing which aims for activities and services to be offered across the whole spectrum of society.

Decision

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

1.         thanked Ms McKinnon for the informative presentation; and

2.         noted the information provided in the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by Ms McKinnon, Rockfield Community Trust dated 14 August 2019, submitted)

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Group considered a briefing note which related to the meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee held on Wednesday 26 June 2019 where issues raised by the Area Community Planning Group Chairs were considered.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Planning Group;

1.         noted the contents of the briefing note; and

2.         agreed to accept Paul Devlin’s  offer to engage further with  the community of Dalavich regarding volunteer fire crews.

(Reference: Briefing note by Community Planning Officer dated 14 August 2019, submitted)

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Group considered a progress update report on the individual actions contained within the Area Community Planning Action Plan Tracker.

Discussion took place in respect of the actions which were classed as not on track and members of the Group noted that the actions were being progressed and work is ongoing to pursue these actions.

Decision

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

1.    noted the contents of the report; and

2.    agreed more detail can be provide in future reports in the form of bullet points; and

3.    agreed that as no information on progress had been forthcoming from Roads and Amenities Inspector Mark Stephen be approached to establish if actions OLI11 and OLI12 had been undertaken.  If the actions currently marked as not on track prior had not been progressed it was agreed to refer the matter to the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee.

(Reference: Report by Community Planning Officer dated 14 August 2019, submitted)

Report by Community Planning Officer

The Group considered a briefing note which related to the ongoing consultation ‘How good is your place?’.  The Group noted that the results of the consultation will form the next iteration of the Area Community Planning Action Plan and that there was an intention to share anonymised findings with local communities to assist them in developing Community Led Action Plans.

Discussion focused on the geographical areas where those who had responded to the consultation were from and what can be done to encourage an increase in the number of respondents in other areas.

Decision

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

1.    noted the information provided; and

2.    agreed to invite the Group members to share with their own networks in effort to promote participation

(Reference: Report by Community Planning Officer dated 14 August 2019, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to a presentation by Iona McPhail, Regional Manager, Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) on their Annual Update which highlighted stock details as of 31 March 2019; current developments such as the opening of the latest phase of the Bowmore Housing Development; and information about affordable rents and fuel poverty.

Particular focus was made on ways to encourage local community groups in the Oban area to make grant applications to the Community Action Fund.

Further information on the Community Action Fund can be found here – https://www.acha.co.uk/services-community-action-fund/

Decision

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

1.         thanked Ms McPhail for the informative presentation; and

2.         noted the information provided in the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by Ms McPhail, ACHA dated 14 August, submitted)

Overview by Executive Director with responsibility for Strategic Transportation, Argyll and Bute Council (to follow)

The Area Governance Officer tabled a briefing report (attached to this minute item) which had been prepared by the Strategic Transportation team to summarise the investment in projects which the service had been involved in.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group agreed to a continuation of the report to the next meeting of the Group to facilitate a more in-depth discussion on the detail provided and that community transport should be looked at by the Group at a future meeting.

(Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Strategic Transportation, Argyll and Bute Council dated 14 August 2019, tabled)

Discussion facilitated by the Area Governance Officer on items for inclusion on the Agenda for the above meeting.

Outcomes to be discussed:

Outcome 3 – Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all;

Outcome 4 – Children and young people have the best possible start.

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group would take place at 2.00pm on Wednesday 13 November 2019 in the Corran Halls, Oban.  The focus of the meeting would be on outcomes 3 & 4 (Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all and children and young people have the best possible start).