Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were intimated by:-

Councillor Robin Currie

Councillor Anne Horn

Councillor Donald MacMillan

Councillor Sandy Taylor

Antonia Baird, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

Inspector Julie McLeish, Police Scotland

Lynda Syed, Argyll TSI

David Jardine, Forestry Commission

Ben Tustin, SEPA

Jim Frame, SEPA

Mary Smyth, Craignish Community Council

The Minute of the previous meeting of the Mid Argyll Partnership (MAP) held on 29 June 2016 was approved as a true record.

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

The Community Governance Manager advised that she had provided feedback to the relevant Council Departments in relation to the comments of Partners at the previous meeting. 

Discussion took place in respect of the “Your View Counts” consultation by Police Scotland, with Partners expressing concern that as the consultation is set at a National level it bears no resemblance to what goes on locally.  Further discussion took place in relation to local budget constraints and staffing issues which were posing problems within local communities.  The Chair agreed to raise these matters with Inspector McLeish and also to look into the progress of the implementation of the monthly drop-in sessions at Lochgilphead Police Station.  

Update by Talent Management Lead, Argyll and Bute Council

The Partnership gave consideration to a report providing an update on Argyll and Bute Council’s progress in recruiting modern apprentices to date.  Members noted that the Council has identified opportunities for young people as a key contributory factor in achieving their mission to make Argyll and Bute a place people choose to live, learn, work and do business, with a commitment to create opportunities for 60 modern apprentices by March 2020.  Members noted the rebranding of the Growing Our Own scheme and the work that will be undertaken to achieve Investor in Young People accreditation. 

The Community Governance Manager agreed to ascertain the position in relation to apprenticeships in the Health and Social Care sector within the Council; the provision for tourism apprenticeship schemes and the progress of the Reserve and Cadets base in Lochgilphead. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 28 September 2016, submitted.)

Update by Darlene Russell, Argyll College

Partners expressed disappointment at the lack of attendance and information provided by Argyll College.  Following discussion, they requested that Argyll College be invited to the next meeting of the Partnership to facilitate discussion on the demand and supply of courses available within the Mid Argyll area.  Partners were also keen that a representative from the Council’s Education Department; a Careers Officer; local businesses who provide apprentice opportunities  and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) be invited with a view to coordinating the demand for courses together with real career prospects in the local area.  The Community Governance Manager agreed to take this forward. 

The Chair noted that there had been no submission of items for discussion under Outcome 4:  Children and young people have the best possible start and  advised that the MAKI CPG meeting on 9 November 2016 will be looking at Outcomes 3 and 4.   . The group noted that all MAP partners were also members of the MAKI Area CPG which feeds directly into the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee and that when meetings were not being held at a location in the Mid Argyll Area, Video Conferencing from a location in Lochgilphead was always provided to facilitate attendance. The agenda will include an update from Police Scotland in relation to the CONTEST strategy and an Education Quality and Standards Report and all partners were encouraged to attend the meeting to take part in the discussion.

A discussion then took place on the relevance of the Mid Argyll Partnership (MAP) discussing strategic matters which were also covered at Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Community Planning Group meetings.  Members also discussed the fact that they were volunteers who needed to carefully target their activities in order to represent their communities effectively and that it was important to take stock of the best way to do this and to consider new ways of working. It was noted that the Kintyre Initiative Working Group had already merged with the MAKI Area CPG. Members also were very interested to hear of the Community Council Caucus arrangements in Bute and Cowal and asked for more information on this initiative with a view to moving to this way of working.

The Community Governance Manager gave an undertaking to provide a report on practicalities of combining the Partnership and the Community Planning Group and setting up a caucus of Community Councils, similar to that in the Bute and Cowal area for the next meeting.

Andy Buntin of Lochgilphead Community Council provided an update in relation to the playpark on the front green, which is being progressed as part of the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund.  He also advised that following the success of the Celtic Pictish Festival earlier in the year, plans were being put in place to host this again next year together with the Viking Festival, which will take place on the front green. 

Betty Rhodick of Lochgilphead Community Council advised that Armed Forces Day 2017 had provisionally set for 17 June with the commemoration of the Aiden Conflict being the theme.  Discussion was had in relation to the Council’s insurance policy and the Community Governance Manager confirmed that she would ask the Council’s Area Governance Officer to contact Mrs Rhodick to discuss the matter further. 

Helen Rhodick, also of Lochgilphead Community Council enquired about the preparations for Remembrance Sunday.  The Senior Area Committee Assistant advised that this was being led by the Council’s Members Services Officer.

Group Manager Andrew MacClure of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spoke of the recent prevention and protection activity carried out in the Mid Argyll area and circulated information relative to the Home Safety Visit initiative.  Group Manager MacClure advised that the young firefighter scheme was continuing in both the Campbeltown and Islay areas.  He also advised of the issues of recruiting and retaining staff at retained stations in Lochgilphead, Inveraray and Tarbert.  He outlined the incentives being put in place to ensure that stations remain adequately staffed.  Discussion surrounding fire hydrants took place with Group Manager MacClure agreeing to look into issues in the West Lochfyne area.

Councillor Philand took the opportunity to thank Partners for taking the time to complete the recent consultation from the Boundary Commission.  He expressed his delight that there would be no changes to the boundaries within the Argyll and Bute.  Councillor Philand gave further information in relation to recent meetings of the A83 Taskforce, with the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful still being high on the list of priorities for the Taskforce.  He outlined ongoing road works at various points on the A83 and the imminent roadworks at Strone Point, Inveraray.  Councillor Philand further  advised of the changes ahead as the Integrated Joint Board were to make significant savings, which would result in the redesign of various services.  He also advised of the Government’s Mental Health Strategy Consultation and advised that the idea of early intervention was being endorsed by the Board.  Councillor Philand advised that a specific Government Minister for mental health had been appointed.

Jim Malcolm of Dunadd Community Council spoke of the most recent meeting which 40 members of the community attended to discuss Kilmartin House museum.  He advised that they were now looking at how the Community Council can assist tourism in the Dunadd area. 

Fred Bruce of West Lochfyne Community Council spoke of the various projects which included the installation of cycle paths and walkways; the benefits of being well represented on the local Health Forum and the changes within the area which included the sale of the local shop in Minard.  Mr Bruce spoke of the falling school roll and the concern of the community that this may make the closure of the school a possibility. 

Dave Kent of South Knapdale Community Council advised of a recent meeting with the local MP in relation to the ongoing issues by the lack of connectivity.  He advised that progress on this matter was still slow; however a further meeting was scheduled with the MP in October. 

Mary McCallum Sullivan of Ardrishaig Community Council advised of the village meeting which had been arranged for 4 October 2016, with various organisations, such as Argyll and Bute Council and Scottish Canals attending.  She outlined the purpose of this meeting and advised that progress in relation to the charrette was going well. 

There was no other business for discussion.

Following discussion Partners agreed that further discussion was required in relation to Outcomes 3 (Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all) and the need to review ongoing work should be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

Partners agreed that the next meeting of the Partnership would take place on Wednesday 14 December 2016 at 10.00am.  Venue to be confirmed.