Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:-

Councillor Donald MacMillan

Councillor Sandy Taylor

Aileen Dominick, Argyll and Bute Council

Stuart McLean, Scottish Fire and Rescue

Andy McClure, Scottish Fire and Rescue

Mary McCallum-Sullivan, Ardrishaig Community Council

Margaret Pratt, West Kintyre Community Council

There were no declarations of interest intimated. 

The minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group, held on 8 February 2017 was approved as a true record. 

The group gave consideration to a briefing note, outlining the consideration of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) to issues raised by Area CPG’s at their meetings in February 2017, with the discussions on the Community Outcome Profile Toolkit and key issues experienced in the area being of particular interest; the agreement by the Management Committee that actions relating to the impact of campervans remain on the agenda until the close of the summer season to track any negative impacts and look at ways in which to address these; the signing off of the Community Justice Transition Plan for submission to the Scottish Government; the development of a questionnaire by the Recruitment Working Group in relation to people who work within Argyll and Bute but commute rather than reside; the positive progress of partnership working within the Economic Forum report, including Argyll College delivering new courses in tourism and marine services; the promotion of the Rural Resettlement Fund and the agreement to set up a short life working group to consider the recommendations of a recent report on Community Transport in Argyll and Bute.  

Discussion took place in respect of the courses offered by Argyll College and issues in relation to the lack of NHS Dentists within the MAKI area, particularly in Mid Argyll.  Jennifer Nicol of HIE agreed to speak with Fraser Drurie, Principal of Argyll College and Rona Gold, Community Planning Manager agreed to progress the dentistry matter with Elaine Garman with a view to an update being available at the next meeting of the Community Planning Group.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the contents of the briefing note. 

(Ref:  Briefing Note by Community Planning Manager, dated 19 April 2017, submitted.)

Councillor Colville joined the meeting at 10.30am in the Burnett Building, Campbeltown.

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Briefing Note by HIE Representative

The group gave consideration to a briefing note providing a progress update on the key activities for Outcome 1 which included information on the multi-agency group looking at joint recruitment strategies and the actions they are progressing; the progress made by the Argyll and Bute Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) group and the work being undertaken to produce a report highlighting maritime industry training opportunities.  Consideration was given to the recent report from the Argyll and Bute Economic Forum which highlighted the good progress achieved so far on the recommendations made in the original Forum report and highlighted areas where greater emphasis was suggested for progression in 2017, which included upping the game in the tourism offering; engaging business with local schools; further development of Argyll College and SAMS; mobile connectivity and road improvements.   

Jennifer Nicoll provided further information on the work being supported in the local area, which included the Islay campervan project, which has seen the provision of facilities for additional vans on the island together with the production of a leaflet by Islay Community Council providing key information on camping on the island and wild camping etiquette.  Ms Nicoll advised that work is now being progressed to establish whether the approach by the local community can be adopted by other communities.  Petra Pearce of Argyll Third Sector Interface on Islay agreed to liaise with both Islay Community Council and the Council’s Community Council Liaison Officer to take forward the distribution of the leaflet to all MAKI Community Council’s with a view to aiding the role out of the approach.  

Decision:

The group agreed to note the contents of the briefing note.

(Ref:  Briefing Note by Area Manager, Highlands and the Islands Enterprise, dated 19 April 2017, submitted.)

Briefing Note by HIE Representative

Discussion of this item took place under Agenda item 5(a). 

Update by Lochgilphead Phoenix Project (SCIO)

The group gave consideration to a briefing note and presentation by Lochgilphead Phoenix Project outlining the progress of the Clock Lodge Development to date together with the aspirations of the Project. 

Mr Sinclair advised of the purpose of the Registered Charity and Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation which was set up, primarily to assist with the regeneration of Lochgilphead.  He spoke of the journey taken by the organisation including the outcome of a public survey in 2011 which determined the way forward.  He outlined the process for the transfer of the B listed building and the subsequent agreement with Harbro.  Having established that the building was wind and watertight, Mr Sinclair spoke of the secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund; the lease agreement in place between Harbro and the Lochgilphead Phoenix Project and the ongoing discussions with potential partners for the full refurbishment of the building as a community facility. 

Mr Sinclair asked the group to pass the word on the need for feedback from potential users of the building for functions and exhibitions to enable the funding case to be made for full refurbishment. 

Decision:

The group agreed to note the contents of the briefing note and the presentation. 

(Ref:  Briefing Note and Presentation by Lochgilphead Phoenix Project, dated 19 April 2017, submitted.)

Presentation and update by Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

The group gave consideration to a presentation outlining how Participatory Budgeting is recognised internationally as a way for local people to have a direct say in how, and where, public funds can be used to address local needs.   Ms Baird advised of the money available in Argyll and Bute to strengthen and grow Gaelic.  She outlined the steps taken in the process to generate ideas from members of the public, with at least one application being received for each administrative area throughout the Council area.  Ms Baird further advised that voting had opened on 6 April for a period  of one month at www.abpb.co.uk and urged partners to spread the word. 

Decision:

The group agreed to note the contents of the presentation.

(Ref:  Presentation by Community Development Officer, dated 19 April 2017, submitted.)

Annual update by Health and Wellbeing Team

The group gave consideration to a briefing note, which highlighted some key achievements for the Health Improvement Team during 2016-17.  Having established that the aim of the Health Improvement Team is to take a preventative approach to health problems in order to improve the health of the population of Argyll and Bute, the Health Improvement Principal, Alison McGrory spoke of the four themes of the strategic priorities; getting the best start in life; working to ensure fairness; connecting people with support in their community and promoting wellness not illness.  Ms McGrory also outlined the unique small grant funding opportunity through the local Health and Wellbeing Networks and provided some information in relation to projects this has funded over the year.

Ms McGrory advised that a more comprehensive report had been prepared outlining the activity of the team during 2016-17 and is available at www.healthyargyllandbute.co.uk  and urged partners to think ahead as a Community Planning Group as to how they could promote the preventative measures outlined. 

Decision:

The group agreed to note the contents of the briefing note and annual report. 

(Ref:  Briefing Note by Health Improvement Principal dated 19 April 2017, submitted.)

Briefing Note by Self Directed Support Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

The group gave consideration to a briefing note outlining the strategic priorities for the Scottish Government’s Self-directed Support Strategy as identified by COSLA for 2016-18.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the contents of the briefing note.

(Ref:  Report by SDS Officer, dated 19 April 2017, submitted.)

Having noted that Dr Christine McArthur had been delayed, the Chair agreed to take the remaining agenda items out of sequence. 

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Briefing note from Centre Manager, Dochas Carers Centre.

The group gave consideration to a briefing note and verbal presentation providing information on the purpose and work of the Dochas Carers Centre in Lochgilphead.  It included information on the free guidance, information and support for carers.  The Centre Manager, Ms McLaren outlined a number of initiatives run throughout the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area together with the ambitions going forward.

The Chair thanked Ms McLaren for the information provided.

Briefing note from Joan Stewart, Project Manager Shopper-Aide.

The group gave consideration to a briefing note and verbal presentation providing information on the services to older people living independently at home, which include shopping, help in the home and the provision of social interaction services.  The Director, Ms Paterson spoke of the volunteers to the service, the types of work they are asked to do including the competitive costs for services and the difficulties faced by the service.  She spoke of the possibility of rolling out the project to the wider area, but advised that due to funding issues Shopper-Aide are not in a position to do so. 

The Chair thanked Mrs Paterson for the information provided and advised that the Mid Argyll Health and Wellbeing Network would be hosting a scoping meeting on Thursday, 27^th April 2017 with a view to rolling out the shopping project throughout the wider MAKI area.  He asked Partners to spread the word. 

Briefing Note by Co-ordinator Prevention and Management of Falls, NHS Highland

The group gave consideration to a briefing note outlining the ongoing work in the prevention of falls in older people; the importance of the strength and balance exercise programme and the challenge of communities to understand that falls can be prevented through individuals investing in physical activity to reduce risk and minimise injury.  Dr McArthur spoke of the need for people to recognise falls as a public health issue.  She outlined the costs to health and social care services and advised that falls could be prevented if partners work together to provide education in this regard. 

Decision:

The group agreed to note the contents of the briefing note.

(Ref:  Briefing Note by Co-ordinator for Prevention of Falls, NHS Highland, dated 19 April 2017, submitted.)

In the absence of a representative from Scottish Fire and Rescue, the Area Committee Manager provided an update with regards to the previous quarter stats, covering the 6 KPI’s plus relevant information on significant incidents. 

Margaret Wallace of Argyll Third Sector Interface advised of the ongoing search for suitable premises for the Kintyre Youth Café, and thanked the Community Planning Manager for her assistance in this respect.  Ms Wallace also provided updates in relation to the Kintyre Foodbank and Campbeltown Men’s Shed. 

John Dreghorn, NHS Highland agreed to liaise with the Senior Area Committee Assistant with a view to inviting an appropriate person to a future meeting of the group to provide information on the Integrated Joint Board’s Quality and Finance Plan.

The group noted that the date for the next meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Community Planning Group would be notified.