Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated by Councillor Anne Horn, David Adams McGilp, Katy Murray and Donald Morrison.  

Councillor Rory Colville declared a non financial interest in relation to the South Kintyre Development Trust in his capacity as a Director of the SKDT, Agenda Item 8. 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 September were approved as a true record, subject to the following amendment::-

Item 8  - Mental Health Redesign Presentation

Councillor Semple informed the Committee that the Red Cross had won the contract to operate the Respite bureau, not respite care as detailed.

Item 9 – Argyll Estates: Bowmore and Inveraray Proposals

The title should be:-

Argyll and Islay Estates. 

The Committee considered a report detailing:-

§         The extent to which there is community support for, and understanding of, the local plan outcomes

§         The alignment of actions and outcomes in the Local Area Community Plan

§         How well actions identified in the Plan match with the issues identified by the participants as the Forward Together Events

§         Makes recommendations for areas for revision to the Local Area Community Plan

Alison Younger informed the group that the workshops held in June at the first Forward Together event had resulted in changes to the Local Area Community Plan.

Councillor Hay enquired if comments from the second Forward Together event held on 30 October were reflected in the revised Plan.  Alison stated that these subsequent comments had not been notated, as yet.

Decision:

The LACPG agreed to note the report.

(Ref:  Report by Alison Younger, Customer Services Manager, dated 3 November 2010, submitted).

The Committee considered a report detailing the findings and proposals following the Forward Together Community event held in June 2010.

Discussion followed with various issues being raised:

Ø      Transport and connectivity

Ø      Risk of Public Sector job losses

Ø      Carradale Community Plan

Decision:

The LACPG agreed on the following recommendations:

1.                  That the LACPG agreed the revised Plan subject to the following amendments:

(a)   Outcome 3.1 Risk – to be amended to “Level of service unable to be maintained due to Public Sector cuts”.

(b)   Outcome 2.1 - A83 – road to be trunked between Kennacraig- Campbeltown

(c)   Outcome 2.2 - Replacement of Jura ferry to be prioritised

(d)   Outcome 2.3 - Tayinloan to be added

(e)   Outcome 3.3 - MacTaggart Centre to be included

(f)     Outcome 1.6 – New success measures to be be added: Number of plans in existence; number of communities receiving support to prepare. 

2.                  That the LACPG note the intention that the Local Area Community Plan could be better linked to the Single Outcome Agreement and request that further work on this be undertaken  

(Ref: Report by Alison Younger, Customer Services Manager, dated 3 November 2010, submitted).

The Committee considered a report relating that Argyll Estates and Islay Estates have appointed Urban Animation Consultants and Neil Sutherland Architects to master plan development at Inveraray and Bowmore.  Urban Animation are undertaking a wide consultation with communities and wish to engage with the LACPG.

Richard Heggie thanked the LACPG for their invitation to attend the meeting and stated the need for this approach was paramount to enable the stabilisation of local populations and ensure sustainability.

The process was envisaged to be a long-term one and he had undertaken some public consultations to ensure that communities understood the related issues.

Councillor Hay stated that she had attended 2 of the presentations in Inveraray and reiterated that both the Community Council and the public were supportive.  She enquired if talks had been held with Scottish Water to address water and sewage issues.

Richard replied that, as yet, nothing had been finally decided with Scottish Water.  He envisaged that when the main issues report  was finalised, then a long-term framework would be established.

Yvonne Litster enquired if talks had as yet been undertaken with ACHA.  Richard reported that he had held discussions with Matthew McAuley of ACHA and other housing associations.  This had resulted in positive feedback.

Alison Younger suggested that Richard engage with the local Scottish Ambulance contact, Donald Morrison.  Instigating dialogue and contact with local partners would ensure a better feel for the general proposal.  She reported that the general theme resulting from the Forward Together events was to maximise use of shared facilities.

Councillor Currie enquired on how the proposals would evolve.  He stated that housing needs resulting from employees working on renewables offshore and windfarms would be paramount and welcomed Richard’s attendance at forthcoming meetings.

Richard replied that meeting with local partners, discussing issues and planning the best way forward would, hopefully, determine funding avenues and create investment opportunities.  

Alison Younger stated that the LACPG would aid and assist Richard as best they could in the provision of information, etc.

Councillor Philand enquired on the provision of leisure facilities.

Richard replied that traditionally Local Authorities provided leisure facilities, but consideration would be given to provision of same in multi-purpose buildings.  

Alison asked LACPG members to provide Richard with strategic contacts within their organisations, responsible for Capital Investment programmes,  to enable him to make contact.

Decision:

The Chair thanked Richard for his time and interesting presentation.

(Ref:  A report by Alison Younger, Customer Services Manager, dated 3 November 2010, submitted). 

The Committee considered a report which provided an overview of a number of more localised Community Plans which are in existence, or being developed.  Making recommendations as to how these link into the LACPG structures.

Alison younger stated that it would be helpful to set the context of future plans.  Although the LACPG had no direct control of these, it was required to understand and comprehend them and to support the development of credible plans, partners should be prepared to participate in discussions around them.

Partners should be prepared to make themselves available for discussion and provide advice.

Councillor Currie enquired on how help would be made available to support Carradale’s plan.  Audrey Baird replied that she would provide assistance where she could.

Alison Younger stated that it was not the responsibility of Argyll and Bute Council to provide total support for proposed plans.  The community group would need to take the lead; identifying group leaders instigate discussion and set their own parameters.

Councillor Hay reported that Furnace were proposing to complete their own community plan.

Councillor Semple reiterated the need for Community Councils to be more involved with the LACPG.

Alison Younger replied that under the Best Practice agreement, Community Councils would be part of any process relating to Community Plans.  

Alison advised that voting slides from the Forward Together event held on 30 October were tabled.

Decision:

The LACPG agreed to the following recommendations:

1.         That  the LACPG note the existence, or development of, a number of more localised community plans

2.         That the LACPG ensure all contacts for the Plans are included in the distribution list for any consultation events

3.         That the LACPG programme annual or biannual (as appropriate) presentations on these plans to help raise awareness, share good practice and monitor progress of delivery of the plans

4.         That the LACPG recognise the input to these plans which will be required, at appropriate times, from CPP partners to ensure that strategic priorities and funding constraints are shared

5.                That a mapping exercise be undertaken to evaluate the number, scope

            and impact of these plans 

(Ref:  A report by Alison Younger, Customer Services Manager, dated 3 November 2010, submitted).

Due to the large file size, this document can be viewed as follows:-

www.tarbertcommunityplan./info

The Committee heard a presentation by Robert McPhail detailing the background and ethos of the Tarbert Community Plan.

He informed the LAPCG on the process they had undertaken and the level of local involvement.

Decision:

The Chair thanked Robert for his interesting presentation and recognised the hard work undertaken by him in achieving this result.  He acclaimed that Robert had been a driving force in achieving funds.

The Committee heard a presentation by Malcolm McMillan, South Kintyre Development Trust – Powerdown Project Officer, updating Members on progress to date.

Decision:

The Chair thanked Malcolm for his presentation and wished him every success in the future.

A presentation by Stephen Whiston (Chair) and Eilidh Bartlet, Business Development Manager.

The Committee heard a presentation from Stephen Whiston, Chair, and Eilidh Bartlet, Business Development Manager.

Stephen reported that they were working closely with the Mactaggart Centre on Islay and had received great support from Will Young and Jim Anderson, Argyll and Bute Council.

Audrey Baird advised of funding which could be available from the Mid Argyll Health Network.

Decision:

The Chair wished Stephen and Eilidh every success in the future and appreciate the hard work and effort invested by them.

A presentation by John Dreghorn, NHS Highland

* Please note that the earliest this item will be taken is 12.30p.m.  

The Committee heard a presentation by John Dreghorn, NHS Highland.

He detailed statistics showing the average Length of Stay (LOS) for both the Glenaray and Glassary wards at the Mid Argyll Community Hospital.

These were decreasing and he explained that continuation of care was no longer being undertaken.

It was necessary to demonstrate the best use of existing property and assests as part of the OBC.

The changes being proposed would ensure an early transfer of the Dementia service into modern accommodation.

Councillor Hay enquired on the general public reaction to the changes.  

John replied that initially a lot of misinformation had been received in the public forum within an anonymous letter sent by a staff member.  A staff meeting had indicated that the views supported in the letter were not in line with other staff.

However, a petition had been received with 250 names from the local community and he intended to meet with the organiser to address concerns.  Furthermore, John would be meeting with Community Councils to ensure they were fully clarified about the  intended changes.

Decision:

The Chair thanked John for his time and appreciated the difficult decisions he was making.