Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

 Councillor Rory Colville

 Councillor Anne Horn

 Councillor John McAlpine

 Audrey Baird, Community Development Officer

 Ray McIntosh-Waller, Employability Manager

 Ishabel Bremner, Economic Development Manager

 Christina West, Acting Locality Manager – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay

 Yvonne Litster, Regional Manager ACHA

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 March 2011 were approved as a true and correct record.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

A presentation by Clare Mead, Argyll Voluntary Action.

Clare Mead, Voluntary Development Worker from Argyll Voluntary Action (AVA) gave a short presentation detailing ongoing work undertaken in Community Engagement.

The Chair thanked Clare for her presentation and it was agreed that Clare would email the presentation to Theresa McLetchie who would disseminate this out to LACPG members.

Laura MacDonald reported on the Better Community Engagement Training Day which had been held on 21 March in Lochgilphead. 

Susan Paterson reported on the lack of statutory agency representation at the event. 

Discussion ensued in regards the low level of attendance from Partners and Argyll and Bute council officers at LACPG meetings, -  resulting in a lack of problem solving and decision making, primarily, within the areas of Social Work, Housing and Community Education.

Councillor Semple stated that an overview of the remit of both the Mid Argyll Partnership (MAP) and the Kintyre Initiative Working Group (KIWG) should be undertaken. 

Chief Inspector Baillie responded that due to a lack of resources, she could not field officers to every meeting and event within the MAKI area.  She continued that clear, communication structures were imperative to ensure effective interaction with the many groups and organisations.

Shirley MacLeod stated that overall the ethos of the LACPG within the MAKI area had not succeeded.  Predominantly, this was due to the geography of the area and resources which were available.  She had previously expressed an opinion that the business of the KIWG primarily dealt with business and economic issues.

Councillor Currie expressed his view that the LACPG was not working and to make more use of local Community Councils to deal with local issues.  Councillor Philand noted that the MAP used this format to address issues.  He suggested the inclusion of the local Chamber of Commerce at meetings.

Meeting attendees on Colonsay, stated that the initial agreement at the formation of the LACPG, was for the representative from Islay to represent  Jura, Islay and Colonsay.

Councillor Semple suggested that other Community Development groups link into the Third Sector and LACPG.

At this point in the meeting, attendees on Colonsay left the meeting due to prior engagements.  

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This is an extremely large report.  If a hard copy is required, please contact:

Sybil Thomson 

Planning & Regulatory Services

T. 01546 604308

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Shirley MacLeod advised that there was a management review being undertaken to consider the effectiveness and working processes of LACPGs.  She related that strategically the LACPGs were working, but locally this was not the case.

Lynda Thomson enquired if attendees had received and completed the CP self-assessment forms.  They would be collated and forwarded to the Management Committee in June for further review.

Councillor Hay enquired who was participating in the review and monitor process.  Shirley replied that a group is looking at the Council’s Political Managements, and concurrently the Community Planning Management Committee, overseen by Lynda Thomson, is reviewing the arrangements within the Partnership structure.  The outcome of the review and the new proposed format and function of the group will be discussed at the Management Committee in June, and then at the CPP Conference on 29^th June, to which members of the LACPG will be invited.

Councillor Semple stated that he hoped the new format would link into and reflect the views of local communities. 

Eileen Wilson replied that she hoped the review would engineer a fuller group representation.  Shirley MacLeod stated that the new structure would evolve in September and enquired if the group wished to re-convene in June to continue the meeting.  The group agreed to convene again in September.

The Chair ruled, and the Group agreed, that due to the venue facilities and problems with the technology, the meeting would conclude at .

The meeting finished at 11.45a.m.

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Reports on:

Environment

Social Affairs

Economy

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