Issue - meetings

Mr Howland advised that this time of year is a particularly active time for the RNLI nationally, but spoke of initiatives that were being rolled out to local areas.  He advised that the programme was focusing on areas where the worst fatalities had occurred and suggested that the local area had not seen a lot of incidents therefore it would be some time before the initiative would be in the area. 

Ms MacDonald MBE advised that the Kintyre Crime Prevention Panel, had been in discussions with June Graham, Road Safety Officer, Argyll and Bute Council regarding the possibility of devising a Road Safety Project.

Mr Purdie of Fire Scotland addressed the group in regard to the success of the Bikers Breakfast that had been held in Inveraray Fire Station recently.  He advised that 225 people had attended with more than 170 motorbikes.  He advised that between 70 and 80 bikes were members of the Clyde Valley Harley Davidson Club with both Police Scotland and Fire Scotland Motorcycle Clubs attending.  Mr Purdie outlined the demonstrations offered on the day, with “How to remove a helmet” being one of many. 

Mr Purdie further advised of the push on Home Fire Safety Visits with the Community Action Teams working particularly with sheltered accommodation. 

Sgt Mark Wilson, Police Scotland updated the group with regard the Divisional Commander Barry McEwan, who will be leaving his present post in October with his replacement, Helen Swann, starting then.  He advised that he would be able to provide further information at the next meeting of the group. 

Sgt Wilson spoke of the “Designated Driver Scheme” which had been introduced on the island of Mull during the Mull Festival.  He advised that the scheme is where licensed premises offer initiatives for drivers, such as 2 soft drinks for the price of 1.  He advised that this year there had been no drink driving convictions during the festival, where in previous years there had been a number.  He advised that the next stage was to roll this scheme out to the Oban area, which was currently underway and then throughout Argyll and Bute as a whole. 

Sgt Wilson advised the group of various initiatives such as Suicide Prevention and Autism and Dementia Scotland awareness, which Police Scotland are involved in to raise awareness of the issues and provide additional training to Police officers, which in turn would assist the community as a whole.

The Clerk, advised of the “Cash back for Communities Youth Work”, which is funding managed by Youth Link Scotland, which can be accessed by local youth groups to assist them undertaking youth activities to develop young persons within the community.  Mr Cowper advised that £12,404 had been made available by Youth Link Scotland for Argyll and Bute this year.  Seven organisations which provide youth services in Argyll and Bute were successful including organisations within MAKI area.

All updates are included in the reports below.