Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:-

Maggie Maguire CalMac

Jamie McGrigor MSP

Stewart Clark – Argyll and Bute Council

Alistair Somerville – Transport Scotland

Dhonna McCallum – Argyll College

Darlene Russell -  Argyll College

Ian Wardrop – MACC

Mayranne Stewart – AVA

Alan Reid MP

Tracy Grant – SKDT

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 June, 2013.

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 28 June, 2013 was approved as a true  record, subject to the following amendment:-

Page 5 – CHORD

The Chair detailed the background to the CHORD project and advised the group of the recent award from the Campbeltown CHORD Project Board of £300,000 towards the Town Hall project in Campbeltown.

There were no Matters Arising.

The Chair asked the group to give consideration that this item - Future Initiatives - becomes a standing item on future Agendas. Furthermore, he asked for a closer working relationship with the South Kintyre Development Trust (SKDT) as a vehicle for taking forward new initiatives.

Discussion continued in regards other bodies and organisations that could also be included.  These included local Tourism Bodies and also the need to include stakeholders.

The issue of a new running track was raised and the feasibility of SKDT taking forward and assisting with this initiative. Councillor Semple advised of a positive discussion held on the recent Ministerial visit to Campbeltown in regards a new running track in Campbeltown. 

Councillor Semple highlighted the large numbers of buildings in Campbeltown Town Centre which were in need of significant maintenance.

The group gave further discussion to the planning applications for further wind farms in the Kintyre area and the need for collective discussion on how to best utilise the money which would be generated.

Other possible initiatives included:-

Car Rally at MACC

Pipe Band Competiton

Air Show

Councillor Currie highlighted the economic decline in the Carradale area and welcomed advice on any initiatives on how to address this.  The Chair put forward the possibility of the SKDT making contact to assist and agred he would forward a copy of the SKDT East Kintyre Action Plan to Councillor Currie .  Councillor Semple advised that the Economic Development team at Argyll and Bute council were currently involved in re-generation of local areas and could perhaps link in and assist with the issues in Carradale.     

The group agreed that Future Initiatives would remain  as a standing item on future KIWG Agendas with input and suggestions from group members.    

Stuart Green updated the group on the passenger figures to date for usage on the new Ferry route between Campbeltown and South Ayrshire.  These were 975 cars and 6000 passengers.  However, there was no detail on actual passenger background.  It was hoped that the new Ferry Users Group would be able to address this.  He detailed the 'peaks' in passenger use and explained that Fridays were a popular day for ferry travel on the route.

Discussion continued in the possibility of additional passenger use and an amended timetable. 

Councillor Semple advised that the Ferry Sub group were meeting later in the day and the initial ethos and rationale of the group would be to discuss the possibility of maximising the existing timetable and also endeavour to increase marketing and linkages. The Ferry Sub-group would provide updates to KIWG.

John Lamont advised the group that figures for the evening flight service were extremely good and that the new ferry service had not impacted on usage.  Passenger figures were +3.1% - although overall they were down by -3% on last year’s figures.  Flight movements were +77.6% and this equated to 190 flight movements in July, as opposed to 176 last year.  He reported on the continuation of 'out of hours' flight movements.  

Reports updating the group on both the Roads Reconstruction Capital Programme in Kintyre and Transport Scotland were tabled at the meeting.

Discussion continued in regards Argyll and Bute Council undertaking remedial work on the A83 to bring it up to the required standard before transfer to Trunk road status.  Negotiations were ongoing and this issue would be considered at the full Council meeting in September.    The issue of possible savings by Argyll and Bute Council after the transfer was queried.  Councillor Semple replied that there would not be any savings made; as grants received from the Scottish Government were based on linear metreage on local roads and it would still be necessary to ensure that the Scottish Government undertook their legislative commitments on these roads.

Concerns were highlighted on the following road issues:

1.         Moss Road – cars speeding around a bad corner.

2.         Stewarton Road - issue of walls taken down

3.         Parking in Tayinloan - releasing of ACHA land

4.         Possibility of segregation on A83 Trunk Road to accommodate cyclists and

walkers.

Decision

The group agreed:

1.                    That the Roads Performance Manager would be requested to undertake  a technical appraisal of issues 1 and 2 above and be requested to attend the next KIWG  meeting in October with updates.    

2.                    That a  letter would be drafted to ACHA in regards the car parking issue in Tayinloan with a request to release land to alleviate the parking problem.

3.                    That the Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation would be asked to look at what opportunities there are for cyclists and report back to the Group with this information.

Stuart Green advised the group that work on the Berthing Facility was being progressed to Full Business Case and that a meeting of the Campbeltown CHORD Project Board was being planned for September.

Councillor Semple reported on the opening of the flats on Kinloch Road and the positive and congratulatory comments which had been received on the joint working which had been undertaken between ACHA and Argyll and Bute Council in achieving this.

The Chair reported that the Traffic Survey currently being implemented would be made over a period of 2/3 days

The group noted the update in regards Broadband and mobile phones. 

Stuart Green informed the group of continuing investments being made in regards Next Generation Broadband (NGN) improvementsp.   However, some communities outwith larger settlements may encounter problems encouraged community councils to check the map of coverage.  If there area was not covered he advised that they should make contact with:-

Campbell.cameron@communitybroadbandscotland.org

Who would be able to explain alternative options which may be available.

The Chair advised that local Community Councils could review the extent of improvements in the area by clicking on the link - Maps within the update.

The Chair referred to the letter which had been received from Linda Rosborough, Director of Marine Scotland. 

Discussion continued in regards the need to maintain and support local fishermen.

Decision

The group noted the letter from Marine Scotland and agreed that a letter would be drafted to local representatives of the Clyde Fishermens Association requesting feedback as to  whether the response was helpful.  

No update was received from the Association.

The Chair advised the group that this would be David Rogers last attendance at a KIWG meeting as he was be undertaking work within the Rothesay and Dunoon area.  He thanked David for the help, advice and input he had provided to  KIWG meetings over the past few years.

David thanked the Chair and advised that David Roberts would provide future representation from HIE.

Donald Melville reported on a new business portal  from SSE:

http://www.sseopen4business/

This was a portal providing tendering opportunities for local businesses.

Donald advised on a new Business Growth Grant which is part ERDF funded. It will provide support for local businesses wishing to grow. The funding

would equate to 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £3,000. The criteria for the funding are:

Existing businesses that are actively trading with a turnover above £70,000 and be projecting an increase in turnover within the next 3 years linked to a specific growth initiative.

New-start businesses can apply where they have been trading for at least 3 months and are able to demonstrate clear potential to achieve an annual turnover of £70,000 with their first 18 months of trading, with further grow beyond.

He reported that a colleague had undertaken training on 'World Host' and would provide in-house training to other Business Gateway staff.  If there was sufficient interest from local businesses, then this training would be provided in the local area.

Discussion continued in regards the provision of a  breakdown of figures by geographical area and details of the SSE portal.

Decision

The group agreed:

That Donald Melville would provide a geographical breakdown of figures and would also  forward on the Business Gateway electronic magazine to local Members.

The group noted the report from Argyll College which was tabled at the meeting.

The Chair introduced Ewen McDonald and Neil Clapperton from Explore Campbeltown. 

Ewen informed the group of their new tourist initiative, detailing the success of the initial meeting and the brand launch of 'Explore Campbeltown' which had been opened at Seafield Hotel by Michael Russell MSP this week.  He updated the group on the meeting with Alex Salmond and his invitation to host a reception at Bute House to further promote Explore Campbeltown.

Neil Clapperton advised he and his colleagues involved with Explore Campbeltown had devised a different approach in advertising the brand.  Their ethos was to maintain a simplistic and realistic approach and, so far, this was proving successful and paying dividends.

The Chair congratulated both Ewen and Neil on the success of Explore Campbeltown and wished them continuing success.  He asked that the Group be kept informed of any topical issues Explore Campbeltown wished to raise and that  the KIWG would continue to circulate their Agenda and Minutes to Ewen.

Jim Martin informed the group of the recent appointment of Malcolm McMillan as MACC manager.  He would commence as manager on 23 September.

Jim reported that there were 9 new tenants at the base with the possibility of a community shop and allotments.  Local sports clubs were in the progress of taking over some of the sports facilities at MACC.

The Chair thanked Jim for his update and welcomed Malcolm McMillan's attendance at future KIWG meetings.

Andy Holby reported that the first apprentice had commenced his personalised training programme.  He advised of the ongoing extension work on the Kintyre Way which he hoped would be completed and in place by Spring 2014.  In regards the access to Machrihanish Beach at Westport, Andy informed the group that 3 options had been identified and negotiations were in progress to advance these.

Andy reported that an application to Landscape Heritage Trust was in progress.  He advised of a meeting being held on 4 October, 2013 in Templars Hall, Tarbert to look at a Landscape Partnership Bid.

SKDT - The Chair (in his capacity as Director) informed the group of the SKDT application to Growing Community Assets was also being considered at the same time.

In addition, the Sherriff was in the process of making a decision of the transfer of ownership to SKDT.  Providing on the success of the ownership transfer and the funding application, then the work on the Town Hall would commence.  

The date of the MAKI Community Planning Group meeting is:-

 4, September 2013 – 2.00p.m.

 Venue is -  Town Hall, Campbeltown

The next MAKI CPG meeting was scheduled for:-

4 September, 2013 – 2.00p.m.

The venue for the meeting would be the Town Hall, Campbeltown.

AVA  Pat Dean updated the group of the appointment of a new AVA staff member - Ian McVicar.

Wee Picture House - Jane Mayo informed the group that the Big Food Trip programme which would be featuring local produce was scheduled for 30 September.

The application to Heritage Lottery fund was being considered by the committee on 10 September.  Jane thanked HIE for all their help and advice in completing the application.

This item would continue and be considered as part of the emerging Political Management arrangements with the Group being updated in due course.

The next meeting is scheduled for:-

Friday, 25^th October, 2013.

The date of the next meeting was scheduled for:-

Friday, 25 October,  2013

10.00a.m. – Town Hall, Campbeltown.

The Chair thanked everyone for attending and thanked the group for the informative updates received.