Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mary MacCallum Sullivan, Jeanmary Knowles and Councillor Anne Horn.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Community Planning Group held on 2 May 2018 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Area Committee Manager

Consideration was given to a report inviting the Area Community Planning Group to consider the appointment of a Vice-Chair.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group –

1.    Agreed to appoint Iain Brodie as Vice-Chair of the Group.

2.    Noted that the dates of the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meetings would be forwarded to Mr Brodie to allow him to attend and observe the work of the Management Committee.

(Reference:  Report by Area Governance Manager dated August 2018, submitted)

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Area Community Planning Group gave consideration to issues highlighted within the briefing note from the meeting of the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee held on 27 June 2018.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group noted the content of the briefing note from the meeting of the Management Committee held on 27 June 2018.

(Reference: Briefing Note: Community Planning Partnership Management Committee update dated August 2018, submitted)

The Area Community Planning Group received an informative presentation from Malcolm McMillan, Manager of Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC).

The presentation informed the Group about the background of the community owned charity organisation, its vision, opportunities, threats, planned projects and future growth.

Discussion took place around the provision of broadband to the site and the criteria sought by the charity for the provision of funding to outside organisations.

The Chair thanked Mr McMillan for his enlightening presentation.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group –

1.    Noted the presentation from MACC.

2.    Agreed that an update on the planned provision of high speed broadband in the Kintyre area, and in particular the MACC site, would be sought from the Councils Digital Liaison Officer and from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and;

3.    That an update on broadband provision in the MAKI area would be added as an item for the next meeting.

(Reference:  Presentation from Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC))

Update by Tracey Chambers, Dochas Outreach Worker for Kintyre, and Link Club Coordinator

The Area Community Planning Group received an in depth presentation from Tracy Chambers of the Kintyre Link Club and Dochas Care Centre.

The presentation informed the group about the background to the Kintyre Link Club, how it operates, the activities undertaken by its members and its financial situation. The presentation also informed the Group about the work of the Dochas Centre which had originated in Lochgilphead and had been run in the Kintyre area for the past 18 months.

Discussion took place around the provision of funding to the Kintyre Link Club and also around the provision of food by local supermarkets to these organisations which would otherwise be sent to landfill.

The Chair thanked Ms Chambers for the insight into the work of both organisations.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group noted the presentation by the Kintyre Link Club and Dochas Care Centre.

(Reference:  Presentation by Kintyre Link Club and Dochas Care Centre)

Presentation by Young Police Volunteers

The Area Community Planning Group received a presentation from PC Karen Cairns, Youth Engagement Officer on the role carried out within her post and on the Young Police Volunteers Programme run by Police Scotland.

The presentation provided information on various community events and campaigns she had organised within her role and gave an update on the Police Scotland Youth Volunteer Programme and events which had been attended by the volunteers.

There was some discussion around the provision of a PSYV programme in Lochgilphead.

The Chair thanked PC Cairns for her presentation.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group noted the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by Youth Engagement Office, Police Scotland)

Report by Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

Consideration was given to a report which sought feedback from the Area Community Planning Group on their role within health and social care and their response to the Health and Social Care Partnership Community Engagement Process proposals.

Alison McGrory, Health Improvement Principal,NHS Highland presented the report and invited discussion between the Group regarding the best way to form a response.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group agreed that a further in depth discussion, facilitated by Alison McGrory, would be held via VC between a small number of representatives from the Group in early September with a view to preparing a collective response to the proposals.

(Reference: Report by Associate Director of Public Health, submitted)

Report by Health and Social Care Partnership

The Area Community Planning Group gave consideration to the Health and Wellbeing Annual Report for 2017-18.  The report was introduced by Alison McGrory, Health Improvement Principal, NHS Highland and the Group were invited to note the content of the report.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group noted the content of the Health and Wellbeing Report for 2017-18.

(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Principal, submitted)

The Area Community Planning Group were given an annual update from Ronnie Soudan on behalf of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

The Group were given statistical information in relation to incidents attended by the service which showed a small rise in incidents overall in comparison to the previous year, a reduction in road traffic collisions and road traffic collision casualties, a reduction in accidental dwelling fires and malicious fires and an increase in automatic fire alarms.  The Group were also given information on various campaigns which had been run by SFRS and those which were planned for the future.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group noted the update by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and agreed that the update report be emailed for circulation to members of the Group.

(Reference: Update by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service)

Sergeant Ian McNicol provided the Area Community Planning Group with an update  on various initiatives currently being run by Police Scotland.

The Group were updated on the success of the Youth Engagement Officer Post, current local priorities, the work of the Local Authority Liaison Officer, recruitment and retention of staff, special constables, the use of social media to engage with the public and upcoming events.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group noted the update from Police Scotland.

(Reference:  Update from Police Scotland)

Lesley MacKay provided the Area Community Planning Group with an update on behalf of Addiction Services in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area which had been founded in 2008.

She updated the Group on staffing levels, various partners, the process in which referrals are dealt with, the target set for referrals to be assessed and the types of treatment used to help clients.

Some discussion took place on the level of referrals received and the age of those referred to the service.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group noted the update from Addiction Services in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands.

(Reference: Update by Addiction Services, MAKI)

Update by Mary Holt

It was noted that no-one was present from Community Justice and therefore the Area Community Planning Group agreed to continue this item to the next meeting.

Under the agenda item of stronger and safer communities, Councillor Sandy Taylor raised the issue of availability of ambulances and response times.  He told the Group of a few instances where there had been significant delays due to ambulances travelling long distances.  There was some discussion around this and around the access codes for defibrillators, with it being noted that there was an action from the Management Committee for information on defibrillator locations across the area to be collated.  It was agreed that the Ambulance Service would be invited to attend the next meeting of the Area Community Planning Group.

Update by Project Support Officer, HIE

The Area Community Planning Group gave consideration to a report submitted by HIE which highlighted their activity across Argyll between April and June 2018.

There was some discussion around what support in terms of economic development could be offered to the East Kintyre area and which organisations would be best placed to deliver this.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group –

1.    Noted the content of the report.

2.    Agreed that an action would be highlighted to the Management Committee for them to discuss which partners are best placed to provide support to the East Kintyre area in terms of economic development.

(Reference:  Report by HIE, dated July, submitted)

Update by Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water

Opportunity for verbal updates by Community Planning Partners

The Area Community Planning Group considered a report submitted by Scottish Water.

There was some discussion around delays in repairing the water main between Campbeltown and Machrihanish; and around finding a permanent solution for the odours at Meadowburn in Campbeltown.

Decision

The Area Community Planning Group –

Noted the content of the report.

Agreed to highlight the issued raised to the Management Committee.

(Reference:  Report by Scottish Water, submitted)

Councillor Currie asked about the possibility of looking again at recent developments on Jura and whether there was sufficient infrastructure to support them.  It was agreed that this would be discussed at the Community Council and reported back to the next meeting.

Antonia Baird, Community Development Officer, advised of an event being held in Mid Argyll called 66 days which was encouraging people to take up a challenge to make a change in their lives for 66 days between 18 October and 24 December.  The launch event would be held in the Community Centre in Lochgilphead on 17 October 2018.

Margaret Wallace of TSI advised of work undertaken within the third sector.  Kintyre food bank was issuing on average 29 parcels per month and Tarbert Academy had compiled a recipe book with recipes using the ingredients within the parcel.  She informed the Group about Youth Impact, a base which was formed  for young people to obtain advice and support and to receive life training and take part in educational activities.

Andy Buntin, Lochgilphead Community Council, updated the Group on events which had taken place in the Lochgilphead area which included the third Celtic Festival which had been held the previous weekend and that 8 of the Scouts had been successful in being chosen to attend camp abroad.  Councillor Currie mentioned the Islands Games and asked why Argyll and Bute had not put anyone forward for these; it was agreed that this could be something that could be highlighted to the Management Committee.  Councillor Taylor referred to the difficult time surrounding the education report and highlighted that the exam results for Argyll and Bute had been higher than the national average.

Andy Buntin, Lochgilphead Community Council, provided an update on he community transport item which was an action from the last meeting.  He advised that he and Antonia Baird had made contact with Craignish Community Council and the local Community to talk about the possible introduction of some community transport which would link the communities of Craignish, Ardfern, Kilmichael and Kilmartin.  He advised that it had been agreed that a survey would be issued to these communities to determine how often transport would be required, who would use it and what they would use it for.  The survey would be posted on community council websites once completed.

Discussion facilitated by the Area Committee Manager on items for inclusion on the Agenda for the next meeting.

Outcomes to be discussed:-

OUTCOME 1:  THE ECONOMY IS DIVERSE AND THRIVING

OUTCOME 2:  WE HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

The date of the next meeting was noted and it was agreed that suggestions for agenda items should be forwarded to the Area Committee Manager.  Iain Brodie, East Kintyre Community Council intimated his apologies for the next meeting.