Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:-

Councillor Sandy Taylor

Cammy Rae

June Graham

Andrew Hill

Robert Westerman

Andy Mair

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 4 September 2012 were approved as a true and correct record.

Theresa McLetchie provided suggested dates for meetings to be scheduled in 2013, which were agreed by the group:

These were:-

Tuesday, 5 February 2013 - Campbeltown

Tuesday, 7 May 2013 - Lochgilphead

Tuesday, 6 August 2013 - Campbeltown

Tuesday, 5 November 2013 – Lochgilphead

Video Conference facility would be arranged with a link up to Islay and Helensburgh.

Dates of the Resilience dates were highlighted as follows:-

7 November, 2013 – Dunoon

13 November, 2013 – Oban

Chief Insepctor Pettigrew reported that handbooks had been disseminated to local community councils and he had seconded 2 officers to assist with the project.  They would be attending the events to provide help and advice.   

Chief Inspector reported on the mobile camera in Campbeltown and on issues arising from the proposed siting. 

Robert Cowper advised that he had held discussions with the Head of Governance and Law regarding this issue.  The outcome was that they were reluctant to site the camera cabling on the shop premise as the arrangement was of a ‘grace and favour’ agreement and similar arrangements had previously proven problematic. Robert stated that he had written to the Head Office of the company to formalise the arrangement.  However, he had not received a response.

Action:  Robert Cowper would monitor the situation and provide an update to the next meeting.  

The budget remains at £1872.00

The balance of funding still amounted to £1872.00.

Peter Howland reported that discussions were still ongoing in regards to the proposed launching site signage, since it has now been put back until the beginning of next season. 

Action: Stephen Doogan would liaise with Robert Westerman regarding costs and Robert and Peter would progress design proposals for the signage on this issue. 

Chief Inspector Pettigrew reported that there had not been any serious assaults or robberies.  In addition, he advised that statistics for other crimes were all down and highlighted the recent drugs operation which had resulted in a large batch of heroin being recovered.  He felt that the new initiative of Community Policing – Walking the Beat - had been a successful measure, and that this was demonstrated by the crime statistics.

Other recent initiatives had included:-

• Bogus callers – campaign to alert communities to this crime with the aid fo local press
• Nuisance vehicles
• Speeding cars
• Mobile Police office – would rotate between rural areas providing mobile surgeries

Glenmore Roberts, Convener of Islay CC, highlighted similar issues on Islay.  Chief Inspector Pettigrew detailed a recent meeting he had held with Strathclyde Police officers on Islay to utilise similar measures to tackle these issues.  Unfortunately due to the geographical size of Islay, many of the local officers worked alone. 

No report had been submitted.

No significant occurrences during the period.

No report was received from Environmental Health. Andrew Hill had submitted his apologies.

No bids had been received for mobile cameras.

There were no statistics provided.

The Chair detailed the Survive and Thrive project and advised partners that they could refer clients via AVA.  Clients could also self-refer.

Chief Inspector Pettigrew reported on work being undertaken with Young Fire Fighters and Road Safety work.  He highlighted the importance of local officers building effective relationships with the local youth and outlined ways in which this was being developed. 

He advised that Youth Disorder numbers were low.

Eddie Renfrew reported on recent work being undertaken by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue to alert elderly residents on Home Safety issues.  He detailed the media campaign which would rund from September – March.  He advised on the need to actively  work with local partners to address home safety issues. 

Eddie Renfrew stated that while the incidence of house fires was not significant, the impact obviously is.  He reported on the high level of ‘false alarms’ resulting primarily from sheltered housing complexes and advised on a new initiative – Cook Safe which was being implemented to address this issue.

Discussion ensued regarding the methodologies to promote the ‘Free Fire Service Home visits’ and various options were suggested:-

• Home Carers distributing leaflets
• Third Sector organisations helping to promote visits 
• Assistance provided by MAKI CSF to create relevant safety advice literature

Eddie Renfrew informed the group that in other areas individuals had been enlisted to help promote safety advice literature and these stories had been covered by the local press.  The group welcomed this initiative.

Action: Eddie Renfrew agreed to take this forward for the MAKI area and updates would be provided.

The Chair suggested that Carol Muir be requested to provide a short written report for the next meeting.

Action: Theresa McLetchie would contact Carol Muir with this request.  

Chief Inspector reported that road safety statistics were good and local drivers adhered to road safety legislation.

This had been provided at Item 4 of the Agenda.

None received

Previously covered at Item 4 of the Agenda.

Peter Howland reported that there would not be any de-watering on the canal over the Winter period.  Work would be undertaken at 1 lock, which would be fenced off.

He reiterated the need for life jackets to be serviced on an annual basis.

Discussion followed in regards the forthcoming closure of Clyde as a co-ordination centre.  Belfast would be undertaking cover for this area.

Stephen Doogan related the background to the Community Safety awards.  Robert Cowper provided the detail and offered advice to the group in the submission process.  Members of the group will consider whether they wish to submit a project in time for the Spring submission date.

There were no additional trends noted.

(List of events to be submitted by all partners where there may be an impact upon another service/organisation)

There were no additional actions other than those indicated above.

There was no other business.