Minutes:
Susan MacRae, Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
Susan MacRae introduced herself as the new Area Manager for Skills Development Scotland, having been in post since March and noted that she would be happy to provide an update on the work of SDS over this period. Susan advised that the primary focus of SDS is to provide advice and guidance to those who are undertaking career changes and noted that due to the Covid19 pandemic much of this support had been provided virtually or online. Susan noted that a lot of work had been carried out with the education and employability teams within the Council and work had been undertaken with young people leaving school to ensure that they were supported and aware of the options available to them. Susan advised that following the return of schools in August, some support had been delivered face to face where possible and in keeping with national guidance.
Susan noted that a national helpline had been launched and advised that she would encourage anyone who was unemployed or facing redundancy to phone this number. Susan provided further details around work carried out with DWP partners, the Scottish Government Training Transition Fund, virtual youth hubs, the 16-25 cohort and the focus on short sharp interventions for retraining.
Susan noted that help was available via the national helpline on 0800 917 800 or by using the My World of Work website at www.myworldofwork.co.uk.
Ruth Cairns,
Argyll and Bute Council
Ruth Cairns provided an update in relation to Community Learning and noted that aside from moving much of the learning process online, a large amount of work has been carried out by the team in connection with the local Digital Connections and national Digital Inclusion projects. Ruth provided details of the projects and noted the requirement for devices for children who were undertaking home learning during the first period of lockdown and also for those who were isolated and required support with connectivity and learning how to use the devices which was provided via the Digital Inclusion project and support from Digital Champions.
Colin Crichton,
Live Argyll
Colin Crichton advised that Live Argyll were in the process of following a phased reopening plan, noting that swimming lessons had recently been reintroduced and requests had been made for an enhanced fitness class programme. Colin noted that libraries continued to operate in phase 3 of the reopening plan, with people allowed to browse and use a click and collect service. Colin advised that Victoria Hall remained closed with no national guidelines around reopening at that time.
Colin noted that a new price list and accreditation scheme had been put in place for community groups which afforded any affiliated community group a 20% discount on Live Argyll prices. Colin provided details of a virtual event celebrating music in March 2021, made possible as part of a funding award from Creative Scotland. Colin advised that Live Argyll had invested in Borrow Box, an audio learning service, which had proved to be very popular over the past 7 months. Colin noted that it was hoped that a Live Argyll virtual programme would commence in December for Argyll Active customers, as well as those shielding and with long term conditions as part of an HSCP scheme.
Allan Comrie, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT)
Allan Comrie advised that the ongoing message during the pandemic had been for people to avoid using public transport, this had caused problems for SPT as well as rail and bus operators. Allan noted that one of the main issues which SPT had tried to focus on was ensuring that any bus service to an NHS location was operated and noted that this had largely been well managed, particularly to the Vale of Leven hospital.
Allan noted that SPT had faced issued around various elements of the guidance which was in place such as the use of face coverings and advised that exemption cards could be obtained at www.exempt.scot . Allan praised Argyll and Bute Council for continuing to operate a school bus service in a safe manner and largely as normal. Allan provided further details around some delays experienced with capital programmes relating to bus and cycle infrastructure, noting that services had been considerably reduced due to the health and safety guidance issued. .
Inspector Roderick
MacNeill, Police Scotland
Inspector MacNeill advised that despite the ongoing Covid19 pandemic, Police Scotland have retained a good level of resources with minimal absence. Inspector MacNeill noted that during the strict lockdown the vast majority of people had adhered to the no travel guidance and detailed the steps which had been taken by the Police to encourage and educate people, taking enforcement only where necessary. Inspector MacNeill outlined details of the issues which had occurred in relation to the high number of visitors to the area, particularly around the National Park during the summer months and advised that a lot of partnership working had been undertaken with the National Park around camping, littering and traffic management.
Inspector MacNeill advised that there was an increase in traffic within pubs in the area due to people visiting from the neighbouring West Dunbartonshire local authority which had been placed in tier 3, while Argyll and Bute had been placed in tier 2. Inspector MacNeill noted that pubs had seen a lift in business, however there had been no police issues around this, although this would continue to be monitored.
Inspector MacNeill advised that Police would likely be returning to a presumption of non-attendance as Covid19 numbers continue to rise, noting that this meant that low level matters would be dealt with over the phone by a resolution team and would negate the need for officers to attend addresses unnecessarily and help avoid risk of infection or spreading same. Inspector MacNeill emphasised that anything requiring officer attendance would still receive it and PPE was available to allow officers to be within the address of Covid-positive people if required. Inspector MacNeill advised that during the strict lockdown, warrant activity had been curtailed, however this had now resumed with good results. Inspector MacNeill advised that Anti-Social Behaviour figures had risen this year because all calls for people reporting breaches of Covid guidance were recorded as public nuisance calls, however people were phoning for the correct reasons and there was little which could be done about this.
Inspector MacNeill advised that Community Council meetings had largely continued virtually and he had continued to e-mail reports monthly and take feedback from these meetings. Inspector MacNeill noted that the Police response had varied throughout the year as guidance and legislation was varied and amended to give them more powers, advising that this could change again during a prospective second full lockdown, however Police Scotland would continue to take guidance from Scottish Government and respond as required. Inspector MacNeill reiterated that the vast majority of people within the area had been complying with guidance and there had not been reports of a lot of house parties or large gatherings.