Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made.

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Councillor Rory Colville

Margaret Pratt, Convenor WKCC

Mary MacCallum Sullivan, Ardrishaig Community Council

Campbell Cameron, Community Broadband Scotland

Mary Holt, Community Justice

Ruaridh MacGregor, Scottish Water

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Community Planning Group held on 11 May 2016 was approved as a true record.

The Group agreed to note the Minute of the Mid Argyll Partnership (MAP) meeting held on 29 June 2016.

The Group agreed to note the Minute of the Third Sector and Communities CPP Strategic Group meeting held on 24 May 2016.

Report by Community Planning Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Area Governance Manager  took the Group through a report which provided highlights from the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meeting on 9^th June 2016 with particular emphasis on matters raised by Area Community Planning Groups and the responses from the Management Committee which were contained in the submitted report.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Community Planning Manager dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Presentation by group

Andy Fisher, Scottish Fire and Rescue took the Group through a report on activities undertaken by the Islay and Jura Young Firefighters, highlighting the voluntary work being undertaken by individuals, the partnership work with other agencies, as well as the benefits that the service is providing to young people on Islay and how the scheme is also beneficial to Scottish Fire and Rescue in terms of recruitment.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Update by Scottish Fire and Rescue

Alex Purdie, Scottish Fire and Rescue took the Group through a report on activities undertaken by the Campbeltown Young Firefighters, which has been running successfully since 2008. Mr Purdie acknowledged the importance of the work being undertaken by volunteers, the positive impact the scheme is having on the Campbeltown Community and gave examples of how the scheme had helped individuals to eventually gain employment within Scottish Fire and Rescue.

Decision

The Group:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Praised the work being undertaken.

(Ref: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Verbal update by Group Manager Stuart McLean, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Alex Purdie, Scottish Fire and Rescue took the Group through a report which provided a breakdown of Scottish Fire and Rescue’s community safety activities that had taken place over a twelve month period, a detailed breakdown of Local Community Safety Engagement that had taken place across Argyll and Bute, a statistical breakdown of Home Fire Safety visits that had taken place and a breakdown of operational activity across Argyll and Bute.

It was also noted that Scottish Fire and Rescue are engaging with the Health and Social Care Partnership on their falls prevention strategy and are currently waiting for training which will take place at the end of August.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref; Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Update by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

The Group considered a report on the erection of road safety signs at school locations. The Area Governance Manager informed the Group that unfortunately due to the signage not being compliant with statutory legislation Argyll and Bute Council are not able to support the rollout of this initiative as the signs cannot be placed on public roads.

Councillor Currie along with other members of the Group noted disappointment at this decision as they felt the signs were very effective.

The Group held a discussion on alternative ways of implementing the signage.

Decision

The Group:

1.    Noted the contents of the report,

2.    Noted disappointment at the decision and;

3.    Noted this item was now concluded.

(Ref: Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Update by Addiction Services, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

A report was not provided and a representative was not present at the meeting, therefore this item was not discussed.

Update by Transition Lead for the Criminal Justice Social Work Partnership

The Group considered a report on the Community Justice Scotland Act (2016) Strategy Consultation.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Community Justice Officer dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

The Chair ruled and the Group agreed to take item 6. (g) Air Issues out of sequence to facilitate Roy Bogle’s attendance. This item was therefore taken after item 5. (e) Community Justice Strategy Consultation.

Discussion facilitated by Logan Air and NHS Highland

Roy Bogle, Logan Air provided the Group with a verbal update, the following points were noted:

·         Reliability issues have improved

·         The punctuality on the Islay route is currently at 70% which is an increase on last year.

·         A corporate market has been introduced and the airline now offers golf days and whisky tours which are proving popular.

·         Loganair offered assistance to the ferry services during their period of reduced service but it wasn’t required.

·         A peak morning and evening service is provided for the community.

·         Planning for 2017 is currently underway and Mr Bogle asked the Group that if they were aware of any Events or Festivals taking place to let him know so that extra flights can be scheduled if required.

The Group held a discussion on the feasablity of other routes being introduced, the possibility of larger aircrafts and the possibility of increased frequency of the flights. Mr Bogle agreed to look into suggestions by the Group.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the verbal update.

(Ref: Verbal update by Logan Air and NHS Highland dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Community Development Officer

The Community Development Officer took the Group through a report which highlighted a request by the Jura Community Business to be included into the SOA local and for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Community Planning Group to recognise that the project links to the Single Outcome Agreement.

Decision

The Group:

1.    Noted the contents of the report

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 2.0 of the submitted report and;

3.    Requested that the flowchart at appendix A be amended in respect of criteria 3.3 and be brought back to a future meeting.

(Ref: Report by Community Development Officer dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Jura Community Council

Donald Ewan Darroch on behalf of Jura Community Council took the Group through a report on the Impact of the potential population change on Jura and how the current infrastructure in place would not be suitable if there is an increase in population due to potential new jobs coming into the area.

Decision

The Group

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed to set up a working group to look at what changes to the current infrastructure would be required in order for Jura to be able to accommodate an increase in population.

(Ref: Report by Jura Community Council dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Community Broadband Scotland Adviser

The Group considered an update report on the Superfast Broadband rollout activities that are due to be completed by 2020 or before.

Decision

The Group:

1.    Noted the contents of the report AND;

2.    Noted disappointed at the lack of progress in implementing superfast broadband in the Islay and Jura area.

(Ref: Report by Community Broadband Scotland Representative dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Annual Update by Area Manager, ACHA

The Group considered a report which provided an Annual update on Argyll Community Housing Association for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Area.

The Group held a discussion regarding West Highland housing association choosing to build in Jura and ACHA choosing not too as well as discussing new builds in Islay that are not on a bus route and plans to build houses on a site that does not have a public footpath into the village.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by ACHA dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Housing Services Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Housing Services Manager took the Group through a report on the Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2015-2020 for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area for the last five years as well as the current project on site and the proposals for future development over the next four years with an indication of available sources.

The Group held a discussion regarding clarification over the number of proposed houses to be built on Jura. The Housing Services Manager clarified that six houses would be built.

Decision

The Group:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Noted and welcomed the significant investment that is being put into housing.

(Ref: Report by Housing Services Manager dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Update by Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water

The Group considered a report submitted by Scottish Water which provided a breakdown of current activities being undertaken by Scottish Water in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Area.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Scottish Water dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Briefing note by Calmac

The Group considered a report by Caledonian MacBrayne that provided responses to queries raised by members of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Community Planning Group.

The Group noted disappointment at the lack of Caladonian MacBrayne representation at the meeting.

The Group held a discussion in relation to several issues raised regarding Caledonian MacBraynes ferry services in Islay and Jura which included, the unsuitability of the gangways for people with mobility issues and the reliability issues the service face as well as the  contingency plans that have and/or haven’t been put in place.

Decision

The Group

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Requested that a representative of Caledonian MacBrayne and Transport Scotland be invited to the November CPG meeting.

(Ref: Report by Caledonian MacBrayne dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Discussion facilitated by Argyll and Bute Council’s Marine Operations Manager

The Marine Operations Manager took the Group through a report which provided an update on Argyll and Bute Councils Piers and Harbours Asset Management Plan.

It was noted that an Elected Members workshop on Piers and Harbours would be held in September.

The Group held a discussion with particular emphasis on future plans for the piers in Islay and Jura and it was noted that Argyll and Bute Council at present have no plans to transfer assets to community groups and will be looking at suitability of the current infrastructure in place.

The Marine Operations Manager informed the Group that discussions with Transport Scotland are ongoing with regard to the ferry review.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Marine Operations Manager dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Head of Education

The Acting Head of Education took the Group through a report which provided an update on the approach to the delivery of Argyll and Bute’s Children in order to support the Integration of Health and Social Care in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Group

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed for this item to be brought back for discussion at the November CPG meeting where outcome 4 is a designated outcome at the meeting.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director Community Services dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Community Planning Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Area Governance Manager informed the Group that this report was for noting and any questions or comments could be fed back through the Community Development Officer to the Community Planning Team.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Community Governance Manager

The Area Governance Manager took the Group through a report on the findings of two working groups set up by the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay and Oban Lorn and the Isles Area CPG’s following the May CPG meetings which provides information on suggested changes to meeting format and communication methods.

Decision

The Group;

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 2.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Community Governance Manager dated 10 August 2016, submitted)

Opportunity for Community Planning Partners to highlight items of interest and future events.

No partner updates were intimated.

Discussion facilitated by the Community Governance Manager on items for inclusion on the Agenda for the next meeting.

Outcomes to be discussed:-

Outcome 3:  Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all

Outcome 4:  Children and young people have the best possible start

The Group noted that the themes for the next meeting would be :-

Outcome 3: Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all

Outcome 4: Children and Young People have the Best Possible Start

The Chair Advised that Members of the Partnership should consider how these outcomes impact on their communities and submit potential agenda items to the Senior Area Committee Assistant by email.

Councillor Sandy Taylor thanked the chair for a productive meeting and Councillor Robin Currie expressed that he felt the meeting had been very productive and useful.

A special thank you was noted to Sharon McHarrie not only for her assistance at the meeting but also for her hard work throughout her length of service with the Council and the Group expressed best wishes to Sharon in her new job. Appreciation was also noted to the staff in Islay Service Point for giving up their broadband width allowance in order for the meeting to link electronically to sites in Lochgilphead and Campbeltown.