Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from Councillor Alison Hay and Yvonne Litster.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 May 2010 were recorded as a true record.

Argyll and Bute Council

Jane Fowler stressed the need to manage and deliver service provision collectively and cohesively was paramount in view of the changing environment, both financially and politically.

Bob Chicken, Tarbert and Skipness Community Council, questioned when the review would be finalised as he felt it important to put into practice any new initiatives/options.

Jane responded that the evolving process of providing best value service at Argyll and Bute would be a continuing work in progress.  Argyll and Bute Council were responsible to the Scottish Government to provide clarity in their new vision and the  process of achievement.

Discussion ensued in the process of involving and engaging with the local community and obtaining the most effective representation to reflect what options communities would decide on in these challenging times.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:

1. Noted the contents of the report and would provide feedback on the proposed new vision and values highlighted below in relation to the identified priorities in the area
2. Noted that a further report would be provided to the CPP Management Committee in September, once feedback from other areas had been gathered. 

(Ref:  Report by the Head of Improvement and Strategic HR, dated 1 September 2010, submitted).

Argyll and Bute Council

Jo Smith, gave a short presentation to the Committee which provided an overview of the Budget for 2010-2011.

She detailed the predicted impact on current services and the implementation of processes to make Argyll and Bute Council more effective.  The Public Sector recession was a national issue and difficult decisions would be necessary.

Jo distributed a brochure – ‘Difficult choices for Difficult times’ and encouraged  Committee members to cascade this information to local communities.  Contact details were listed on the back of the brochure, giving residents the opportunity to indicate their preferred options in the difficult process of safeguarding essential services.  Copies of the brochure had been disseminated to libraries, community centres, etc.

Maryanne Stewart enquired on provision for the Third Sector to be involved in this process.  Jo reiterated the need for members to cascade this information to relevant groups.

Iain Jackson gave details of a forthcoming 2^nd Forward Together Seminar which had been scheduled for – Saturday, 30^th October.  As yet, a venue was still to be decided upon.  He suggested that these issues could be given further consideration at the seminar.        

(a)               Forward Together – Seminar I feedback and plans for Seminar II

(b)               Revisions to Plan

(c)               Scorecard

Paper to follow

(a)   The Forward Together seminar had been extremely positive.  Attendees would receive a summary which would be disseminated electronically by Eileen Wilson.  A meeting to organise the 2^nd Seminar was being held on 6^th September in Inveraray.

(b)   Jo stated that Partners budgets would play an important part in identifying local outcomes.  The Revision process would be dependant on this and help to simplify the Plan.

Maryam enquired on the possibility of a Community Notice Board.  Jo replied that she would need to give this consideration and come back on this issue.   

Argyll and Bute Council

Douglas Boynton, an independent consultant, gave a short presentation detailing the choices for change to both home and community based day services.

Councillor Semple stated the need to identify people who are not receiving relevant information.

John Bakes, Southend CC, informed the Committee of services being eroded at Woodlands.  Rooms had been re-allocated and this negated service provision.

Councillor Philand enquired if areas within Argyll and Bute would have their preferred options represented to the Board.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to note the report.

(Ref:  A report by the Head of Adult Care, 1 September 2010, submitted).    

Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership

David Bertin, NHS Highland – Mental Health, gave a short presentation to the Committee after the long consultation process on the Mental Health Redesign.

Bob Chicken enquired on respite care and spoke of concerns that carers had voiced.

David replied that planned respite care was not specific to hospitals and would take this issue back to Allen Stevenson

Councillor Semple informed the Committee that the Red Cross had won the contract for the provision of respite care.  This would encompass different kinds of respite care and ostensibly could be used as a ‘holiday bureau’.

Action: David to obtain relevant information on respite care.

Argyll and Bute Council

The Committee considered a proposal for Urban Animation Consultants to attend the

LACPG meeting on 3 November to make a presentation on Bowmore and Inveraray Master Plan proposals.

Decision:

(1)   The Committee agreed to invite Urban Animation to make a presentation and facilitate discussion at the meeting scheduled for 3 November.

(2)   That partners identify relevant personnel from their sector/organisation to attend.

(3)   That additional attendees be invited as appropriate.

(Ref: A report by Area Manager Customer Services, 1 September,2010, submitted).

The Committee considered the Community Policing Plans for South Kintyre, Kintyre and the Islands and the Mid Argyll.

Chief Inspector Baillie detailed the actions and intended actions in the generic plans, identifying various methods to ensure safer communities.

Crime statistics would be brought to a future LACPG meeting.

The Chair invited questions from the Ward Members.

Ward 1 – Councillor Semple enquired if the Call Centre was based locally.

Chief Inspector Baillie replied that it was not.  Hence, on occasions, the responding operator was hesitant in identifying a location.

Ward 2 – Councillor McAlpine voiced his concerns on the daily routing of the Reliance van. He deemed this a waste of public money and resources.

Chief Inspector Baillie explained the rationale of the van – in that it was necessary for the van to wait to transfer a prisoner if committed at trial.

Ward 3 – Councillor Philand congratulated Chief Inspector on her officers and reiterated the need for prisoner management to be more effective.

Action:  Report to be compiled to the Management Committee on the issue of Reliance’s prisoner transfer.

(Ref:  Reports by Chief Inspector Baillie dated 1 September 2010, submitted).  

Argyll and Bute Council

The Committee considered a report on the strategic approach to engage communities of place and interest in Argyll and Bute.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:

(a)               To note the report

(b)               To acknowledge the progress made in delivering the Community Engagement Strategy.

(Ref: A report by the Community Planning Manager dated 1 September 2010, submitted).

Argyll and Bute Council

The Committee considered the Local Area Partnership Agreement.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to support the concept of the development of the Local Area Partnership Agreement between local residents and local service providers and approve the draft Partnership Agreement.

(Ref:  A report by Community Planning Manager dated 1 September 2010, submitted)

Argyll and Bute Council

The Committee considered the Consultation Diary to collate and provide an overall picture of consultation activity.

Decision:

The Committee agreed the proposed format for gathering and sharing of information.

(Ref: A report by Area Manager Customer Services dated 1 September, submitted)

Presentation on the socio-economic impact studies being undertaken on the proposed Offshore windfarm sites at Machrihanish, Islay and Tiree.

The Committee heard a short presentation from George Dean, Argyll Renewables Communities.

He detailed that they were in collaboration to maximise the benefits and minimise any negative impacts to local communities from the development of renewable energy in the seas off Argyll.

Councillor Colville stressed the need for Argyll and Bute to improve facilities for potential labour migrating to the local area.

Councillor Semple reiterated that formulation of plans and decisive action was necessary to maximise any potential benefits.

Councillor Colville made the recommendation that this remain a standing item on future LACPG Agendas.  George agreed that either he or Philip Maxwell would attend meetings to provide updates.

The Chair thanked George for his informative presentation.