Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from:-

Stephen Doogan – Area Governance Officer

Katie Burke – Scottish Youth Parliamentarian

Stuart McCracken – Argyll and Bute Council

Inspector Claire Miller – Police Scotland

Minute of Meeting 22 February 2013

The Minute of Meeting 22 February 2013 was approved as a correct record.

Following a request at the February meeting for clarification on the legal obligations for private landlords regarding fire alarms, Station Commander Tony Meechan, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service advised the Group that The Repairing Standard contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 states that newly fitted alarms must be hard wired.  He added that if there were battery operated alarms in existing tenancies that they would be suitable only in the short term.

Paul McCann, Housing Officer, requested further information on this and other matters and Tony was happy to provide this.

Jo Rains suggested that Jackie Middleton, Environmental Health Officer could also be approached for information regarding new tenancies.

Action: Station Commander Tony Meechan

Presentation by Julie Hurnauth, Tunstall

The Group was provided with an informative presentation by Julie Hurnauth, Tunstall, on the Telecare and Telehealth provision in the Helensburgh and Lomond Area which promotes the delivery of assisted living  and   independence to individuals who would otherwise not be able to remain in their homes.  Assistance can be provided  to reduce environmental risks along with help to protect individuals from burglary, bogus callers and anti-social behaviour. Packages are tailored to the needs of the individual and referrals can be made through three access routes which Julie outlined.

 Ms Hurnauth highlighted the savings to Local Authorities and also referred  to the joint working approach which currently exists. She informed that 90% of councils in Scotland are currently engaged with Tunstall Telecare.

Further discussion was had around the referral process and benefits of the service.

The Chair thanked Julie for her interesting presentation.

Verbal Report by Morag Brown, Programme Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group was briefed by Morag Brown, IOD Programme Manager, on the Resilience Planning Initiative which was set up following the severe weather at the beginning of the year to address the issues that had arisen around resilience.

The Kintyre example was used initially to promote the project which involved the Council, partners and service providers alike and an updated user-friendly toolkit has been subsequently produced.  Community Councils had been approached to ascertain the views of their respective communities and 47% of these have responded.  Morag advised that it was proposed to revisit those who had not. The response in the Helensburgh and Lomond area had been particularly low and it is hoped that the reasons for this can be addressed. The importance of local knowledge was highlighted as crucial and Morag gave several examples of how this might work. 

Sergeant Quinn suggested that this could be promoted by the police officers who attend the community council meetings on a regular basis.

Noted

Verbal Report

Jo Rains, Environmental Health Manager, briefed the Group on the above initiative which is being undertaken by Trading Standards and supported by Police for the provision of posters and door stickers indicating that ‘cold calling’ is unwelcome in particular areas.  The design of these has now been agreed and Trading Standards are now asking for funding from local safety groups.  The potential for Cold Calling designated areas is currently being explored and this would need agreement from the local community.  Jo advised that the stickers appear on the Council Website and could be downloaded free of charge.

It was suggested that Colin Sutcliffe, Trading Standards Officer, and Mark Wilson, Community Liaison Officer, could be approached for further advice.

Any suggestions for areas of potential funding were welcomed.

Verbal Report, Stephen Doogan – Area Governance Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

Discussion of this item will be continued to the August Meeting as there was no officer available to speak to the report.

Verbal Report, Argyll and Bute Council

Discussion of this item will be continued to the August Meeting as there was no officer available to speak to the report.

Verbal Update, Katie Burke, Scottish Youth Parliament

This item will be continued to a future meeting due to Katie Burke having previously noting her apologies due to her having exams on the day of the meeting.

Verbal Report, Argyll and Bute Council

Discussion of this item will be continued to the August Meeing as there was no officer available to speak to the report.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Grass Fires

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Station Commander Tony Meechan informed the Group that the spring strategy was now underway and that despite the recent weather, there was still the potential for grass fires.  There had been recent visits to relevant outdoor parties and copies of the Muirburn Code issued to local farmers to highlight the danger.  The Group noted the number of incidents in the Helensburgh and Lomond area had reduced but that this was not the same in the other areas of Argyll and Bute.

Activity in the local community still continues with talks and leaflet drops and over sixty various events had been attended by the Service.  This promotion to raise awareness has now seen results as indicated by the 20% reduction in incidents.

Station Commander Meechan briefed the Group on the new structure of the Service and the chain of command currently in place.  He added that several members of the Fire Board had recently visited the Western hub and that feedback following this had been positive and they were confident of a smooth transition.

The Group were encouraged to forward any referrals and advised that the Risk Rating forms which would identity the appropriate recipients were now on the website and Tony advised that he had already followed up several of these following the last meeting.

Streetscene

Tom Murphy, Streetscene Area Manager, spoke of the recent acts of vandalism in Hermitage Park and also of the continuing issue of dog fouling.  He explained that the reporting of these incidents was often anonymous and suggested that more details are requested at the point of contact along with a telephone number in order that the report could be followed up.   Fly tipping is also a problem in the area and that this could be reported online through the Dumb Dumpers Campaign.

Sergeant David Quinn assured that Hermitage Park had now been added to the local policing plan and that late shift officers would carry out foot and possibly cycle patrols in that vicinity.

Tom advised that he had spoken with Stuart McCracken with a view to the wardens also patrolling in twos and it is hoped to trial this in the near future.

Police Scotland

Sergeant David Quinn briefed the Group on the set up of the new Single Force, and that the emphasis would be on the Community Policing Plan and that as with the Fire Service, there would be little impact on the current situation.

He gave assurances that support and increased presence by dedicated officers would be in place in the area during the high profile murder trial and that the public should be reassured by this.

There had been a reduction in retail crime and the Group was informed of the good working relationship that existed between the local officers and the Royal Navy Police.  Good feedback on the mobile unit also continues with both the elderly and youth element engaging and that this should be encouraged.

Statement and Bank Mandate for updating

Discussion of this item will be continued to the August Meeting as there was no officer available to speak to the report.

Friday 23 August at 10.00am. Venue to be notified.