Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:-

Margaret Wallace, Argyll TSI

Jennifer Nicoll, HIE

Campbell Cameron, Community Broadband Scotland

Donald Watt, Health and Social Care Partnership

Alison McGrory, Health and Social Care Partnership

Robert Tourish, Scottish Fire and Rescue

Islay McEachern, Islay 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 7^th February 2018 was approved as a correct record subject to the amendment at page 9, to remove the words “on the island”.

Discussion took place around the attendance of partners at the meeting and it was agreed that this would be highlighted to the Management Committee.

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Group considered a report providing information relating to the appointment of a Vice-Chair for the MAKI Area Community Planning Group, outlining the expected time commitment and giving information on the role.

Decision

The Group agreed:-

1. To continue consideration of this item to the next meeting; and
2. That the vacant Vice Chair position would be highlighted at all Inaugural Community Council meetings across the MAKI area.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 7^th February 2018, submitted).

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Group gave consideration to a briefing note outlining the highlights from the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership (CPP) meeting held on 13^th March 2018.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

(Ref:  Report by Community Planning Manager dated 2^nd May 2018, submitted).

Report by Community Planning Officer

The Group gave consideration to the timetable for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Community Action Plan which was signed off in February 2018.

Discussion took place around the action relating to community transport in Ardfern.  It was noted that the Council’s Community Transport Officer had indicated that there was no community transport provision available in that area. 

Decision

The Group:-

1. Agreed the timetable for those items listed;
2. Noted that those items currently not scheduled into an upcoming meeting would be included when an appropriate timescale had been agreed with those involved in the action; and
3. Agreed that the Chair and the Community Development Officer would arrange to meet with the local community to investigate possible solutions to the transport issue in Ardfern.

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from South Islay Development Trust.

The presentation highlighted a range of initiatives including a community garden, young South Islay Development Trust (SID), Port Ellen Filing Station and hub for campervans.  Information was also provided on the results of a recent community consultation.  The ongoing work at Port Ellen playing fields was also mentioned.

The Chair thanked Alyson McGillivray for her informative presentation.

Decision

The Group noted the presentation.

(Ref:  Presentation by South Islay Development Trust dated 2^nd May 2018, submitted).

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Jura Development Trust. 

Information was provided on the work undertaken to create a community action plan.  The process for creating the action plan including a wide ranging consultation, was discussed.  The work undertaken in relation to a number of community led projects, including a beach path, was also highlighted.

Discussion took place on possible partnership working with the community on Islay.

The Chair thanked Annchris and Amy for their informative presentation.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

(Ref:  Presentation by Jura Development Trust dated 2^nd May 2018, submitted).

Report by Argyll and Bute Education Service

The Group considered the Argyll and Bute Education Annual Plan for 2017/18.  They heard from Clare Bryden, Principal Teacher for Literacy who highlighted the pilots which are ongoing in relation to primary literacy and numeracy.

Discussion took place on the plans for extending the pilot to other schools and the improvements that have been noted.

Decision

The Group noted the contents of the report and presentation.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Education dated 2^nd May 2018, submitted).

Presentation by Fiona Kalache, Mid Argyll Youth Development Services

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Fiona Kalache of Mid Argyll Youth Development Services.

Fiona provided an update on the project to create a permanent youth facility for Mid Argyll.  The new facility will include a skate park, a café, meeting rooms, and recreational facilities.

The Group noted that the project has been ongoing for a number of years and commended the work undertaken to get to this stage.  Fiona advised that planning permission would be submitted shortly and that they were working towards securing funding now that the land has been purchased.

Aidan Kerr and Kevin Poppleton, Youth Volunteers spoke about some of the work they are involved in.

Decision

The Group noted the progress made on the project and the information provided.

(Ref:  Presentation by Mid Argyll Youth Development Services dated 2^nd May 2018, submitted).

The Group agreed to adjourn for lunch at 1pm and reconvened at 1:35pm.

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners

Rachel Whyte, Islay Community Council raised concerns over the lack of connectivity to the village and the new housing developments in Port Ellen and Bowmore, particularly in relation to pavements.  She advised that this should be considered as a key part of any developments in the future.  It was agreed that this would be included in the highlight report for the Management Committee in June.

Councillor Horn provided an update from Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust.  She advised that the work by Scottish Water was ongoing.

It was noted that an advert had now been issued for a Development Worker.

She also advised that the Trust were still in negotiations with Visit Scotland about their premises in Tarbert.

Councillor Horn advised on complaints that have been raised by parents of Jura Primary School in relation to deer accessing the playground and asked if a deer fence could be erected as the deer are a risk to the children especially in relation to tics and deer droppings. 

Councillor Horn also mentioned the need for a sign on the road out of Craighouse on Jura to highlight that pedestrians may be on the road. 

Councillor Taylor provided information on some initiatives which are taking place through the Council, including the Industrial Regeneration Group, the Strategic Transportation Working Group and the initiative being undertaken by the Council’s Chief Executive – the “Big Listen” which relates to the Scottish Government review of Local Governance.

Councillor Armour advised that Campbeltown Creamery has been put up for sale by its owners First Milk.  The Creamery employs 26 staff and makes the world famous Mull of Kintyre Cheddar. 

Antonia Baird, Community Development Officer, advised that the “Big Listen” event would be coming to Islay on 6^th June and would be held in the High School from 6:30pm-8:30pm and encouraged partners to attend.

She also advised of a request from Tom Skinner, Islay House Garden, to see if it would be possible for Mental Health First Aid course to be held on Islay.  Petra Pearce agreed that she would highlight this with the Health and Wellbeing Network and it was agreed that the request would be put to the Management Committee.

Jim Porteous, Islay Community Council provided the Group with information relating to the ongoing ferry disruption being experienced on the islands.  He is a member of the Cal Mac Communities Board who are now working to identify ways to improve the current situation.  A sub-group has been formed by the Communities Board to take this forward.

Jim also highlighted the feedback from the Islay Summit held recently which identified that up to £17M of funding would be needed to bring the roads on Islay up to an acceptable standard.  It was noted that discussions were taking place in relation to the possibility of creating a tar plant on Islay which could reduce the costs of road repairs.

He also noted that the lack of affordable housing and a reduced workforce availability were issues for Islay.

Rachel Whyte asked what the Council were doing in relation to the new data protection regulations.  The Area Committee Manager advised that this would be discussed with all Community Councils at their inaugural meetings.

Councillor Horn raised concerns about dog fouling around the school area in Tarbert and in Bowmore.  She asked if this could be highlighted.

Report by Area Governance Manager

The Group considered a report which outlined a development in the compilation of agendas for meetings, linking to and progressing the work which has been carried out in developing Area Community Planning Actions Plans and enabling groups to focus on a regular basis on local matters related to the various Outcomes in the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP) 2013-2023.

Discussion took place on the need for all partners to be involved in suggesting items for future agendas.

Decision

The Group agreed the proposed agenda compilation for meetings.

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Manager dated 2^nd May 2018, submitted).

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group would take place at 10am on Wednesday 8^th August 2018 in Campbeltown.  Councillor Armour suggested having the meeting at the Machrihanish Air Base and it was agreed that this option would be investigated.