Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chambers, Kilmory, Lochgilphead. View directions

Contact: Lynsey Innis, Senior Area Committee Assistant; Tel: 01546 604338 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

 

Councillor Robin Currie

Mary Smyth, Craignish Community Council

Mary McCallum Sullivan, Ardrishaig Community Council

John Woods, Ardrishaig Community Council

Sgt Julie McLeish, Police Scotland

David Jardine, Forestry Commission

Audrey Martin, Projects and Renewables Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

Anna Watkiss, Senior Planning Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

 

2.

Minute of the previous meeting of the Mid Argyll Partnership (MAP) held on 27 January 2016 pdf icon PDF 122 KB

Minutes:

The Minute of the Mid Argyll Partnership meeting held on 27 January 2016 was approved as a true record, subject to the following amendment:-

 

Item 9 – Community

 

In the last paragraph reference to Dave Kent of North Knapdale Community Council should be amended to read “Dave Kent of South Knapdale Community Council”.

3.

Minute of the previous meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands CPG held on 10 February 2016 pdf icon PDF 130 KB

Minutes:

Partners agreed to note the Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Community Planning Group, held on 10 February 2016. 

4.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

There were no matters arising.

5.

Update on consultation of the Crinan Canal Charette

Update by Argyll and Bute Council’s Projects and Renewables Manager

Minutes:

Having noted the apologies from the Senior Planning Officer, the Chair invited the Convenor of Lochgilphead Community Council to provide a short update.  Mr Buntin advised Partners of the “Re-think the Link” events taking place over the course of the next few days, designed to give opportunity to the community as a whole to put forward their aspirations for the Crinan corridor.  Mr Buntin spoke of the potential benefits, not only for the Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead areas but also for the outlying communities such as Craignish and Dunadd. 

 

The Community Development Officer praised the work being undertaken by the architects of the project and the “all inclusive” approach to engaging the community.   

 

The Chair thanked both Mr Buntin and Mrs Baird for the information provided. 

6.

Outcome 1: The economy is diverse and thriving

Minutes:

The Chair advised that although there were no specific items identified for discussion under Outcome 1: The economy is diverse and thriving, it afforded Partners an opportunity to identify items for discussion by the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee. 

 

Councillor Taylor advised of the forthcoming review of the local Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), advising of a workshop session scheduled to take place on 24 May 2016  and reminded Partners that this was their opportunity to participate in the development of the local EDAP.

 

Discussion took place in respect of the funding identified for economic development and growth; the number of empty shop premises in Lochgilphead town centre; the lack of diversity in the area, with the main focus being tourism; opportunities for social enterprises within the area and the possibility of a rural deal being agreed between Argyll and Bute Council, the Scottish Government and the third sector. 

 

By request of the Chair, the Senior Area Committee Assistant agreed to circulate the Economic Forum report to all Partners by email, with a view to having meaningful discussion on some of the outcomes from the report at the next meeting of the Partnership.

7.

Outcome 5: People live active, healthier and independent lives

7a

Integration Update

Minutes:

Having noted that there was no one in attendance to provide an update on the integration of the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, the Chair invited Councillor Horn to provide a short update in her capacity as a member of the Integrated Joint Board. 

 

Councillor Horn advised that the Partnership had assumed responsibility for all delegated functions on 1 April 2016.  She spoke of a number of issues that had arisen, but advised that the next year would see issues addressed as part of the “bedding in” period.  Councillor Horn spoke of the appointment of Councillor Corry as the new Chair of the Integrated Joint Board and thanked Councillor Philand for his continued support and input. 

 

Discussion took place in respect of the pockets of people who did not require hospital care or treatment but would benefit from some of the services offered to those in the central areas of Mid Argyll, and the transport issues that prohibited them from attending.  Further discussion was had in relation to the importance of prevention with Partners agreeing that a shift from treatment to prevention was important with the ratio of spend on treatment to patients, being high. Councillor Horn agreed to feedback the comments of Partners to the Board.   

 

Councillor Philand highlighted the progress made in relation to the services available for children with mental health issues.

 

 

7b

Mid Argyll Locality Planning Group Update

Verbal update by Lynda Syed, Argyll Third Sector Interface

Minutes:

Partners gave consideration to an update in relation to the Mid Argyll Locality Planning Group.  Ms Syed advised that there are 9 groups across Argyll and Bute.  She outlined the membership of the Mid Argyll group and advised that although there had only been one meeting and one workshop session, the groups terms of reference had been agreed.  Ms Syed outlined the strands identified by the group as possible areas of work, these included the prevention of admission/illnesses; self-management and loneliness and isolation.  She advised that loneliness and isolation was already an agenda item for the Mid Argyll Locality Planning Group. 

 

Ms Syed outlined the benefits of the Health Care Forums, and advised that they are the public forum where ideas and suggestions are fed into the Locality Planning Groups to ensure that local services are put forward to meet local needs.  She advised that the next meeting of the Mid Argyll Forum was scheduled to take place in May and would be widely advertised. 

 

The Chair thanked Ms Syed for the information provided. 

7c

Tackling loneliness and Isolation in Mid Argyll

Joint Presentation by Lynda Syed, Argyll Third Sector Interface and Antonia Baird, Community Development Officer

Minutes:

The Partnership considered an update on tackling loneliness and isolation in the Mid Argyll area from Linda Syed of Argyll Third Sector Interface.  Ms Syed advised that on 6 January 2016 there was a debate in the Scottish Parliament on Age and Social Isolation following an Equal Opportunities Committee Inquiry.  Ms Syed advised that despite the debate it was the Christmas advert for shop chain, John Lewis that lodged the issue in the public consciousness.  Ms Syed played the advert for the Partnership, then explained the difference between loneliness and isolation and outlined the health implications associated with both.  Ms Syed advised of the groups most affected by loneliness and isolation within the Mid Argyll area, and advised that although information gathered suggested that people over the age of 80 experienced this, it is not specifically an age-related issue. 

 

Ms Syed provided information on ways in which local communities are helping to tackle the issue, and spoke of the success of the Christmas Day community gathering and the frequently run day trips.  The Community Development Officer sought help from Partners in dealing with the problem.  Discussion took place in respect of spreading the word, with Councillor Horn suggesting that it may be beneficial to circulate a leaflet outlining all the groups in Mid Argyll.  Mrs Baird asked Partners to make contact with her directly if they were aware of individuals who required support within their communities. 

 

The Chair thanked both Ms Syed and Mrs Baird for the information provided.  

8.

Community

Minutes:

Dave Kent of South Knapdale Community Council spoke of the mobile black spots and poor internet connection affecting the occupants of South Knapdale.  The Chair, Councillor Taylor advised of a plan being brought forward by the Council indicating  how they could intervene.   He advised that the Council’s Economic Development team were in the process of making an argument based on the needs for business and tourism in the area.  He also advised of other developments such as mast sharing and applications received by the Council’s Planning department for new 130 metre masts. 

 

Jim Malcolm of Dunadd Community Council  advised that they were busy dealing with a number of meetings in respect of A’Cruach Windfarm development, the Crinan Canal Charette and the Mid Argyll Initiative.  He advised that this was all moving forward in a positive manner and that the feedback from Community Enterprise who were running the consultation was very positive.

 

Adrian Davis of Inveraray Community Council updated Partners in relation to the replacement of the existing British Emergency Services contract by EE, which should see a 4G coverage being available in the area in the next year or two.  Mr Davis further advised that Superfast Broadband was now available in some parts of Inveraray with the remainder of the area becoming “live” later in the year.  He advised that discussions were ongoing with HIE in this regard

 

Betty Rhodick advised that arrangements were underway for the local Armed Forces Day, which is taking place on 18 June 2016.  She also advised of a series of coffee mornings being held in the Parish Church in Lochgilphead on the first Saturday of May, June and July in preparation of the Celtic Pictish Festival which is scheduled to take place on Saturday 6th August 2016. 

 

Andy Buntin of Lochgilphead Community Council advised that similar to Dunadd Community Council, they too were concentrating on the A’Cruach Windfarm development, the Crinan Canal Charette and Mid Argyll Initiative.  He advised of a forthcoming meeting with Foundation Scotland which was scheduled and the success of the “husting” held in Lochgilphead on 6 April 2016. 

 

Councillor Anne Horn advised that Tarbert’s community turbine was up and running and that the first community benefit was due in 2017.  She further advised that works were ongoing at the Castle and that she had been in discussions with the Head of Economic Development in relation to funding for Community Trust Officers. 

 

Linda Syed of Furnace Community Council took the opportunity to thank the Ward 3 Elected Members for their continued support over the years in relation to the reinstatement of the shoreline at Queen Elizabeth Cottages in Furnace.  She advised that local residents were grateful that works had now begun. 

9.

Themes for next meeting

Minutes:

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

 

Outcome 2:  We have infrastructure that supports growth

Outcome 6:  People live in safer and stronger communities

 

The Chair advised that members of the Partnership should look at these outcomes prior to the next meeting and think about how they impact their community.  He advised that we can then use the Partnership to bring together common issues and then carry these forward to the ACPG.

10.

Any Other Business

Minutes:

There was no other business discussed.

11.

Date of Next Meeting

Minutes:

It was noted that the next meeting of the Partnership would take place on Wednesday 29th June 2016 at 10.00am within the Council Chambers, Kilmory, Lochgilphead.