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 Andrew Vennard;

Councillor Kieron Green;

Councillor Sir Jamie McGrigor;

Morag McLean – North Argyll Carers Centre; and

Jane Darby – Kilmore and Kilbride Convener.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Wednesday 14 August 2019 was approved as a correct record.

The Group noted that the impact of road closures from Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) continues to frustrate road users and that further consideration should be given to using available media platforms, such as Oban Road Watch, to make road users aware of closures. 

Verbal Report by Maggie Melville, Developing the Young Workforce

Consideration was given by members to a presentation by Maggie Melville which introduced the background and aims of the DYW programme. Introduced 6 years ago the DYM aims to help young people attain the right skills and experiences to move from education into employment.

DYM have undertaken various initiatives in support of this aim, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics promotional events and promoting Scottish Apprenticeship week.  DYW is also hosting ‘Scotland’s Biggest Parents’ evening in the Corran Halls on 30 January 2020 where it is expected a large number of parents and employers will be in attendance.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided in the presentation and thanked Maggie Melville for the presentation.

(Reference: Verbal Report by Maggie Melville, Developing the Young Workforce dated 13 November 2019, submitted)

Police Scotland

Inspector Mark Stephen began by introducing Oban’s dedicated youth worker, Claire Brown, to the Group.

Inspector Stephen highlighted that from Monday (18 November 2019) the opening times of certain stations within Argyll and Bute would be changed, assuring the Group that Oban Police Station would remain open 24 hours a day. This change in operating hours would mean a greater police presence within communities and in addition, consideration was being given to recruiting an additional 5 members of the civilian staff in Oban during 2020.

Members heard that Officers would soon be receiving new mobile devices that would reduce the amount of time required to be in the Station and therefore enhance Officers visibility within the community.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

John Sweeney updated the Group on current statistics related to 7 Key Performance Indicators, which included the number of Community events attended and home visits undertaken. Mr Sweeney noted that there had not been a single firework related incident during October to November 2019 and that this was largely down to the number of organised displays.

Mr Sweeney noted that a Youth Volunteer Group would be held in Tobermory during the early part of 2020 and in Oban during March 2020.

Oban Community Council

Keith Miller reported that as part of the Community Empowerment Act (2015) a participation request had been submitted by Oban Community Council to Argyll and Bute Council concerning the existing traffic management and parking fee structures within Oban. Mr Miller reported that positive discussions had been held and that further discussions were planned to explore a fair and reasonable solution.

The Group were supportive of the actions and requested to be kept informed of any future developments

Crossroads North Argyll

Joan Best reported that around 30 carers were currently receiving support from Crossroads North Argyll and that as awareness of the Carers Act increased those seeking support would increase.

Ms Best encouraged the Group to refer any carers that may require support to them.

Argyll and Bute Council – Youth Services

Maureen Evans reported that following a redesign of the service the Community Learning Team officers were currently looking to priorities workloads and that an announcement to this effect would be made in due course.

Presentation by Aideen Shields, Kerrera Community Trust

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Aideen Shields, Kerrera Community Trust.

Ms Shields introduced the island, its existing infrastructure and population which had experienced significant growth since the census in 2011.

The Kerrera Community Trust has been operational since 2009 with the principal aims of road development and improvement, specifically a road to link the north and the south of the Island, ensuring the ferry service meets the needs of islanders and the establishment of a community facility

Kerrera Community Trust have recently purchased the old primary school building and are currently funding raising for the renovation of the building. Ms Shields reported that the successful renovation would provide a fit-for-purpose community facility, which will offer a venue for islanders and locals, young and old, as well as providing facilities for visitors and other user groups.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided in the presentation and thanked Aideen Shields for the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by Aideen Shields, Kerrera Community Trust dated 13 November 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 18 September 2019 where issues raised by the Area Community Planning Group Chairs were considered.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by Community Planning Officer dated 13 November 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 action which was classed as not on track, members of the Group noted that the level of development proposed for the area was not supported by the existing infrastructure.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Community Planning Officer dated 13 November 2019, submitted)

Presentation by Karen Oakley, Development Officer, Fèisean nan Gàidheal

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Karen Oakley, Development Officer, Fèisean nan Gàidheal.

Ms Oakley reported that there were 47 Fèisean with 5 of these being active within the Oban area. Fèisean offer a range of accessible services to its members including grant-aid, training, insurance, and instrument loans in the pursuit of reviving the traditional music scene and Gaelic language development.

Ms Oakley highlighted the Ceilidh Trail as a particular success of the Fèisean. During the summer 2019 the Trail had offered young people a professional development opportunity and a stepping stone between studying and launching a career as a performing artist by offering employment to perform authentic traditional Scottish music.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided in the presentation and thanked Karen Oakley for the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by Karen Oakley, Fèisean nan Gàidheal dated 13 November 2019, submitted)

Verbal Report by Maureen Evans, North Argyll Youth Forum

Maureen Evans, Community Youth Worker, introduced Rachel Lawlor a student at Oban High School and member of North Argyll Youth Forum.

Ms Lawlor introduced some of the activities that she had helped to organise since becoming a member of the Forum such as a beach clean and some of the events she had attended such as the Inverness Youth Conference.

The Youth Forum are currently future proofing its aims and objectives and will also be undertaking a consultation exercise with pupils in S1 to S3 to identify what support they require, both in and out with school.

Jennifer McGhee, Tobermory High School, responded that the work of the North Argyll Youth Forum should be celebrated and is something she was anxious to replicate on Mull. Maureen Evans responded that a dedicated resource, at this time, would not be possible but she was willing to work with others to encourage a similar programme on Mull.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided in the presentation and thanked Rachel Lawlor for the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation Rachel Lawlor, North Argyll Youth Forum dated 13 November 2019, submitted)

Kirsty McLuckie advised that the Oban Youth Café currently had 5 youth workers who were all working towards a qualification in youth related work.

The Café provides a space for over 100 groups to meet and support one another. Each group is established to meet the particular needs of the individuals, with around 60 young people engaging with the Café on a weekly basis.

Ms McLuckie advised that future work would involve working with people to highlight and address issues related to alcohol and funding to sustain the current provision.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided in the presentation and thanked Kirsty McLuckie for the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation Kirsty McLuckie, Oban Youth Café, dated 13 November 2019, submitted)

Report by Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer continued from the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Planning Group meeting on Wednesday 14 August 2019.

The Group considered a report which provided an update on the active travel infrastructure development and behaviour change schemes within the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area during 2018/19 and preview the work being developed during 2019/20.

Discussion focussed on the importance of the health and safety of active travellers and what could be done to link existing active travel networks.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the contents of the report.

(Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Strategic Transportation, Argyll and Bute Council dated 13 November 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 5: People live active, healthier and independent lives; and

Outcome 6: People live in stronger and safer communities.

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group would take place at 6.30pm on Wednesday 12 February 2020 in the Corran Halls, Oban.  The focus of the meeting would be on Outcome 5: People live active, healthier and independent lives and Outcome 6: People live in stronger and safer communities.