Minutes:
Councillor John Armour
Councillor Armour voiced his frustration at the IT
issues experienced during the meeting which had caused those attendees in
Campbeltown to be unable to participate in sections of the meeting. Councillor Armour
also noted that he was unhappy that access restrictions to the building used
for VC facilities in Campbeltown meant that attendees in Campbeltown had to
leave the meeting early and were therefore unable to provide partner updates.
The Committee Manager noted that alternative venues
had been investigated, including the local police offices, however they also
close at 12:30pm and access would not be possible after this time. The
Committee Manager advised that the time for the meeting today had been brought
forward to 9:30am to accommodate for the large agenda but unfortunately had
still resulted in the meeting continuing until after 12:30pm and noted that
scheduling of agendas would be looked at to ensure meetings did not run on
longer than expected. The Committee Manager noted that the issues with building
access had been investigated previously but she would look into these again to
seek a suitable resolution.
Councillor Armour suggested that Partners Updates
were scheduled earlier in the meeting to ensure all could contribute and the
Chair agreed that these could be discussed in future following the agreement of
previous minutes. The Community Planning Officer advised that she would be
happy to provide her presentation later in the agenda if this would be helpful.
Councillor Armour advised that Bear Scotland had
agreed at an earlier meeting that they would look into repairs for the A83
entrance to Campbeltown and the road and pavement around Campbeltown Picture
House. Councillor Armour noted that this work did not appear to be scheduled on
Bear Scotland’s Spring schedule and asked that an approach was made to Bear
Scotland to ask that these repairs be carried out as a matter of urgency.
Councillor Anne Horn
Councillor Horn advised that she had reported the
poor condition of the road on the A83 at the entrance to Campbeltown to Bear
Scotland yesterday.
Councillor Horn noted that the Citizens Advice
Bureau provide a patient advice and support service for those with issues
involving the NHS and this had been raised at a Health and Wellbeing Network
meeting for information.
Councillor Horn advised that Tarbert
and Skipness Community Trust are investigating local
housing issues and are hoping to come to a future meeting of the Mid Argyll,
Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group to discuss this.
Councillor Horn advised that in Tayinloan
a new play park will be opening on Saturday 8th February. Councillor
Horn noted that the local community and other agencies had put in a lot of work
and raised a lot of money for this project.
Councillor Robin
Currie
Councillor Currie advised that he was frustrated at the IT issues which had occurred during the meeting and this was an ongoing issue with meetings involving Video Conferencing facilities.
Councillor Currie advised that at a recent meeting in Arrochar, a representative from Transport Scotland had advised that a tender would be going out for works on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful in January with a possible start date for works of March and a lane closure in place which was hoped to end in mid-summer. Councillor Currie noted that information received following this meeting has indicated that work may no longer be completed and asked that this was clarified with Transport Scotland.
Duncan Litster,
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Duncan Litster provided an update from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for the period up to 31st December 2019. Mr Litster noted that there had been no road traffic accident fatalities in this period but unfortunately there had been 1 fire fatality during this period. Mr Litster noted that there had been an increase in incidents up to the period of 31st of December but many were in relation to an increase in fire alarm signals – properties involved in this increase have been identified and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are working with the owners to decrease the number of incidents. Mr Litster noted that a new support role is in place in the MAKI area and this member of staff will mostly provide support to Campbeltown, Islay and Jura areas.
Andy Buntin, Lochgilphead Community Council
Andy Buntin advised that the next round of the Conservation Fund would begin on the 25th of April 2020 and information gathering was ongoing at present. Mr Buntin noted that James Lafferty had been announced as the Project Manager and this was good news following his work in Campbeltown and Inveraray.
Mr Buntin noted that issues had been raised with Live Argyll regarding the library not opening due to staff absence. A meeting had taken place with Live Argyll on Monday and Jim Lynch had agreed to take these issues forward.
Mr Buntin advised that he would like to pass on thanks to the Police and other services who had assisted the area during Storm Brendan.
PC Michelle Rusden,
Police Scotland
Michelle Rusden advised that a new Youth Engagement Officer had been employed in Lochgilphead who would be working in schools and with teachers. PC Rusden noted that resources for Police Scotland across the MAKI area are full and the area has had several employee transfers from England of very experienced staff. PC Rusden noted that at present there is an ongoing campaign to recruit special constables for the MAKI area.
PC Rusden advised that the post of Local Authority Liaison was being disbanded and so she would be unable to attend further meetings of the group. PC Rusden advised that she would update as soon as possible on arrangements for the future.
Shona Barton,
Committee Manager
Shona Barton advised that the IJB would be beginning the consultation with regards to their budget over the next few weeks. Ms Barton noted that the consultation was not live yet but would be distributed to members of the Community Planning Group to make comment in due course.