Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:-

Councillor Anne Horn

Councillor Donald Kelly

Councillor John McAlpine

Councillor Dougie Philand

Councillor John Semple

Councillor Sandy Taylor

Margaret Wallace, Argyll Voluntary Action

Lorraine Paterson, NHS

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Minute of the meeting of Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Community Planning Group held on 4 June 2014  was approved as a true and correct record.

The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll Partnership (MAP) meeting held on 11 June 2014 was noted.

The Minute of the meeting of the Kintyre Initiative Group meeting held on 27 June 2014 was noted.

Presentations by Advancing Community Understanding of Mental and Emotional Needs (ACUMEN) anc Campbeltown Link Club.

The group received a presentation from Stephen Duffy of Advancing Community Understanding of Mental and Emotional Needs (ACUMEN), which outlined the philosophy and framework which enable them to play a part in the development of mental health services across the Argyll and Clyde area.  It highlighted the ways in which they support service users and carers alike and how they promote awareness of mental health issues by providing information to the general public at events with the aim of reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues.

A further presentation from the Kintyre Link Club was provided by Tracy Chambers and Robert McNeill.  Mr McNeill advised that the local club is a mental health club run by members for members, which was founded in June 1999.  Mr McNeill outlined the membership, aims, funding issues and the co-ordination of the club.  He stressed that it was important for the club to receive the support of the local councillors and asked the group to be more aware of mental health issues and to assist on providing the relevant information to the general public as a way of also reducing the stigma association with mental health issues. 

The Chair thanked both organisations for the informative presentations and requested that feedback is provided to the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) outlining the importance of retaining both ACUMEN and the Kintyre Link Club as it reduces long term costs on the NHS. 

Decision:

The group agreed to note both presentations.

Report by the Community Governance Manager.

The group considered a report which advised that the governance aspect of the Area Community Planning Groups was under review.  It outlined that as part of the review the Terms of Reference were to be revised and also plans to incorporate a localised delivery methodology to take forward the development of localised SOA plans as part of the Single Outcome Agreement/Community Plan 2013-23.

The group considered a draft of the Area Community Planning Group’s Terms of Reference with revisions.

Discussion was had in relation to the possibility of setting up a caucus of Community Council’s, with the Area Governance Manager confirming that there is a caucus in the Bute and Cowal area, which works well with five out of the twelve members in regular attendance.  She further advised that they proactively include items on the agenda for CPG meetings. 

Mrs MacLeod outlined the significant restructuring of the Governance Team and advised that Lorna Elliott had recently been appointed as the Community Governance Manager and Melissa Stewart was currently working as the Community Council Local Liaision Officer, and through their roles both were working towards finding out what works best.  She stressed that there was no “one size fits all” and that the possible partnership idea was still being looked into. 

Further discussion was had in relation to budgets for training and travel for Community Council representatives on the group and also the need for the agenda of the CPG meetings to be constructive and meaningful where decisions are being made. 

The Community Planning Manager explained that there would be no budgetary decision making powers available to the CPG as there were set budgets for the next financial year, she further advised that if there appeared to be a logic developing around budgetary powers , this would be investigated and addressed at a later date. 

Decision:

The group agreed that the proposed Terms of Reference be adopted at the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meeting on 31 October 2014.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Community and Culture, dated 3^rd September 2014, submitted.)

The group considered a report outlining the reasons for the local Single Outcome Agreement plan, some identified known risks and the plan to mitigate the risks. 

Discussion surrounding strategic movements of partners was had, with the Area Governance Manager confirming that the aim was for all partners to align budgets towards the Single Outcome Agreement, with the rationale being to work better together as partners. 

Councillor Currie spoke of the layout of the agenda for meetings.  He suggested that it may be useful to lay the agenda out in terms of wards.  Both the Area Governance Manager and the Community Governance Manager agreed to look further into how island communities can be more involved.  The Community Planning Manager advised that it would be possible to make the agenda more area based, however it would need to correspond with all outcomes of the Single Outcome Agreement. 

The Area Governance Manager suggested that any further comments be fed back to the Community Governance Manager by the end of the month, with a view to all comments being collated to take back to the management committee on the 19 October 2014.  

Decision:

The group agreed that the proposed method of development of the localised Single Outcome Agreement plans be taken forward. 

(Reference:  Report by Head of Community and Culture, dated 3 September 2014, submitted.)

Report by Area Governance Officer

The group considered a report which updated on the main areas of work undertaken by the Mid Argyll Partnership (MAP).

Decision

The group noted the report.

Report by Area Governance Officer

The group considered a report which updated on the main areas of work undertaken by the Kintyre Initiative Partnership (KIP).

Decision

The group noted the report.

The group were give a verbal update from the Area Streetscene Manager, who outlined the savings from the 2011 Service Review, and provided a summary of the  savings for 2013/14 and 2014/15.  Mr Murphy further outlined the services currently provided by Amenity Services and third sector opportunities. 

Discussion was had regarding herbicide spraying in Campbeltown Cemetery, with Mr Murphy advising that a full consultation was had with various parties and that the paper was approved at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council, where it was agreed that strimming edges annually and spraying twice a year was sufficient. 

Again, further discussion surrounding ward specific areas was had, with Mr Murphy confirming that he was meeting with the Area Committee in October, but would be happy to meet again with Community Council’s if requested. 

Decision:

The group agreed to note the update. 

As there was no representation, there was no update.  

As apologies had been lodged by Margaret Wallace, the group noted that there would be no update.

The group considered a verbal update by Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie, who advised of the recent staffing changes within the area.  She confirmed the appointment of Chief Inspector Helen Swann, who was due to take over from Superintendent Barry McEwan on 14 September 2014.  She further advised of local postings in Carradale, Islay, Tarbert and Campbeltown.  

Chief Inspector Baillie updated the group in relation to other issues such as domestic violence and house breaking, which she confirmed had high detection rates and a slight decrease in terms of comparisons between this year and last.  She spoke in regards to road accidents, which she confirmed were on a par with last year, but advised that there was an enforcement, education and engineering strategy ongoing.  

The Chair thanked Chief Inspector Baillie for the information provided.  

Report on house fire issue on Colonsay

The Area Governance Manager advised the group that she had recently been made aware of the retirement of Group Commander Eddie Renfrew on 29 August 2014.  She advised that to date there had been no indication of a replacement for Mr Renfrew, but would take this matter forward to ensure future attendance from Scottish Fire and Rescue. 

The Chair requested that a written note on the Colonsay House Fire be provided.  Mrs MacLeod agreed to take this matter forward also. 

Report by Area Governance Officer

The group considered a report providing updates on Community Safety Partnership issues which have taken place over the last few months.

Decision

The group agreed to note the report.

An update by Margaret Wallace, Argyll Voluntary Action

Pat Dean of Argyll Voluntary Action addressed the group with regard to adding GIRFEC to future agendas.  She advised that GIRFEC would like the following points considered by the group:

2 young people to attend CPG meetings;

2 agenda items for young people at CPG meetings; and

16 year olds to serve on Community Councils.

The Community Planning Manager advised that she was currently in discussion with Education regarding the points raised, she advised that her discussions included meeting dynamics.  She also advised that it would require Disclosure checks being carried out.  In regards to the issue of 16 year olds serving on Community Council’s the Area Governance Manager advised that currently there is no provision for anyone under the age of 18 to serve on a Community Council. 

Ms Dean agreed to advise Margaret Wallace to contact either Rona Gold or Lorna Elliot directly in regards to further discussions. 

There were no issues raised by Community Councils.

The Community Planning Manager advised the group that the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership  Management Committee met on 19 August 2014, where it was agreed that a summary of matters discussed at the Management Committee be provided to the CPG to increase transparency and communication within the community planning structure.  Ms Gold advised that she would forward the information to the Senior Area Committee Assistant to distribute to members by email.