Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:-

Andrea Henderson

Heather Clark

Kate MacAulay

Councillor Douglas Philand

Jim Frame

Bob Millar

Jeanette Laughton

Jane McKenzie

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 February 2012 were approved as a true record.

Tarbert:

The Chair requested that a further email be sent to Fergus Murray inviting him to the next MAP meeting to provide an update on local plan designations.

Action Mandate:

The Chair requested that a copy of the Action Mandate be emailed out to attendees with the Agenda.

Scottish Citylink:

The Chair requested that Scottish Citylink are invited to the next MAP meeting to provide an update on ticket booking issues.

Older Peoples Service Review:

The Chair requested that the Head of Adult Care be invited to the next MAP meeting to update issues of concern raised at the MAP meeting.

Community Safety:

The Chair stated that information received in regards to the safe disposal of out of date flares be disseminated to local Community Councils.

It was noted that the other action points raised at the meeting on 7 February 2012 had  been dealt with satisfactorily.

There was no update received from  Ardrishaig CC

Councillor Horn reported on new pontoons which were planned for the harbour in Tarbert.   

Mary Smyth reported that the Craignish Area Plan had been adopted by Argyll and Bute council.  In addition,  the Plan had been entered for a National Planning Award.

Rod Buchanan reported that ACHA had completed the upgrades to the swing parks in Inveraray and Tarbert.  They also planned to add a new swing in the play park in Tarbert.  The work being undertaken by ACHA, in the provision of new bathrooms and kitchens at Inveraray Sheltered Housing, was now complete.  This had included a few specially adapted bathrooms and kitchens.   

Further improvements, including rewiring and heating in Inveraray and Furnace had been taken up by residents.  Rod explained that ACHA  are undertaking investment work to upgrade their properties in order to ensure that their housing stock meets the levels ladi down by the Scottish Housing Quality Standards (SHQS)  by 2015.

Councillor Hay stated that she would hope that ACHA could award future contracts to local contractors.  Rod replied he understood the Chair’s point that using local contractors could sometimes be beneficial, but ACHA were required to adhere to the defined tendering procedure. 

Rod reported on an on-going problem with properties in the Tarbert area which had been blighted by water penetration.  ACHA were trying to determine a strategy to eliminate this problem.  He would continue to bring reports to MAP meetings on  progress made.

Councillor McAlpine replied that, in his view, part of the problem could be that tenants were now using electric heating, as opposed to coal fires which perhaps caused this detrimental effect to the properties.  He recommended that ACHA engage a consultant to review and report back on this issue.

Councillor Horn reiterated that she had received complaints and concerns from young families who were affected by this problem.  Rod replied that ACHA were liaising with SOLAS who were providing advice and feedback to ACHA on this issue.

Betty Rhodick advised on incidences whereby residents who were scheduled to have their bathrooms and kitchens upgraded, had packed up accordingly.  However, contractors had not arrived as per the timescale, causing inconvenience and concern to the residents.  Rod reported on contractual problems, caused by a contractor who had pulled out of the  contract, causing  delays and inconvenience.    

Jane McKenzie from Scottish Water had intimated her apologies.  She had provided a written update in regards Scottish Water issues which was tabled at the meeting.

Issues which were raised at the MAP meeting causing concern included:-

• Loose drainage covers in Lochnell Street and Manse Brae, Lochgilphead
• Complaints made by local residents during the last week in regards the stench at the Water Treatment plant in Tarbert.
• Reduction in water pressure in Tarbert, impacting onto pressure showers, etc

It was agreed that Stephen Doogan would write to Jane McKenzie in regards the issues raised and request that she and a Scottish Water engineer attend the next MAP meeting to address these issues.

Stewart Clark reported on various works programmes being implemented in the local area.  These included work being undertaken on:-

Crinan Road

Tayvallich Road

He advised that a special project was planned for the Kilberry Road, which amounted to 700K being spent on resurfacing this stretch of road.

The Winter standby would cease in the coming week

Councillor McAlpine raised his concerns in regards School Road in Tarbert.  Stewart Clark replied that financial constraints limited the amount of work which the Roads Department could undertake.  Councillor Horn reiterated this and reported that 120 homes accessed this road.  This was one of the most strategic roads in Tarbert.  Stewart Clark replied that he would relay comments back and endeavour to get this work onto the Capital programme. 

Councillor Hay stated that she had concerns on 2 other roads which she would hope to have included onto the Capital programme.  These were:

Bishopton Road, Lochgilphead

Redwekk Park, Furnace. 

Betty Rhodick reported on the new signage erected by TranServ on the A83 which she felt were precariously near to the verge and some of which had already been ‘clipped’ by vehicles..

Action:  Stewart Clark would advise TranServ of this issue.

Leonard McNeill enquired on the engineer’s report regarding Upper Achagoyle in Minard.  Stewart replied that following the outcome of the report, a work’s instruction had been raised to undertake permanent patching and drainage works.  

Mary McGugan requested that Upper Achagoyle in Minard needed a general tidy-up.

Action:  Stewart Clark would take these issues back.

Discussion ensued in regards concerns which attendees raised in caring for the elderly in the local area. Kate MacAulay, NHS Highland, had proffered her apologies and could not update on this issue.

The Chair stated that it was necessary to ascertain up-to-date information on this issue.

Action: Stephen Doogan would make contact with Jim Robb requesting that a representative attend the next MAP meeting to give up-to-date information regarding the adult services review with particular emphasis on the impact on both vulnerable elderly people and their care.

Danny McGeachy, Strathclyde Police, reported on a recent incident in Lochgilphead which was being investigated by the Criminal Division.

He advised that road fatalities in the area were down and stated that perhaps this was a ‘knock on effect’ of rising petrol prices.  In that drivers were not undertaking as many journeys.

In regards the issue with local carers, he reported that in certain incidences the police were called out to assist with elderly people.  This occurred when key holders could not be contacted.  On occasion, it had been necessary for Strathclyde Police to complete their own ‘Adult at Risk’ documentation. 

Councillor Hay enquired if there had been an increase in these incidences.  Danny replied that there had not been a noticeable increase. 

Betty Rhodick advised on a ‘gap’ in the service provision by the Integrated Care Teams and stated the need to address this.

Councillor McAlpine stated that in regards the reduction in road fatalities, in his view this was due in part to road surfaces being improved and negating serious accidents caused by these detriments.

Stephen Doogan reported that the Council’s Community Safety  Strategy was being reviewed in consultation with the Community Safety Forums in the 4 administrative areas and he would provide an update when this was finalised.

Peter Kastelein raised the issue of the footbridge between Highbank Park and Lorne Street.  This was in a bad state of repair.

Action:  Rod Buchanan would ascertain the status and advise Lochgilphead Community Council directly.           

Betty Rhodick reported that the Armed Forces Day was scheduled for 23 June 2012 and would commence at 11.30a.m. at the Drill Hall.

There were no Amenity issues.

It was agreed at the March LACPG that the next meeting would be scheduled in June 2012.

The next LACPG would be scheduled after the forthcoming elections.  Attendees would be advised when a date had been decided upon.

The Chair advised that Mid Argyll Partnership views itself as a strategic and consultative partner of the LACPG and will continue to contribute and participate in the Community Planning process as appropriate.

The next MAP meeting was scheduled for 12 June 2012 at 10.00a.m.

The venue would be:-

Meeting Room 1, Lochgilphead Community Centre, Manse Brae.