Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from:-

 

Mark Wilson Police Scotland

Carol Muir ABC

June Graham ABC

 

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 4 February 2014 was approved as a true record. 

 

 

All actions form the previous minute have been progressed as per that minute with the single exception that the invitation to the MACPOOL to send a representative to talk about their Kayak safety courses has been put on hold due to the tragic and unexpected death of the Pool Manager.

Eva MacDonald MBE noted that having put her name down for a home fire safety visit, she had not yet received a follow up call to arrange this.  Alex Purdie agreed to investigate this, since there is usually only a couple of days delay in making the return calls.

The Area Governance officer and Andrew Hemming will continue to liaise to see if there is a way of engaging with the CC re resilience planning.

 

 

There have been no new funding applications received this period.

 

Eva Macdonald MBE noted that the Kintyre Crime Preventions Panel are very low on funds, and are seeking to do a print run of the road safety bar mats which were successful previously. The Area Governance Officer advised that if an application was submitted, it would be considered by the Forum, however, the Forum also have very limited funds so any award would not be very large. Eva highlighted that David Rennie has agreed to undertaken some funding research for the Crime Prevention Panel, and that she would advise the forum of any outcomes.  Tracy Preece suggested that there may be value in applying to the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, as well as seeing whether there is any money available within the health and wellbeing networks budgets.

 

All updates are included in the reports below.

 

 

A presentation by Tracy Preece, Choose Life

A presentation by Tracy Preece, Choose Life Coordinator (NHS).

 

Tracy highlighted that “Choose Life” as an organisation has until very recently been working to a 10 year suicide prevention strategy.  Two of the main targets of the strategy were to firstly train 50% of frontline staff in suicide prevention, and, in so doing reduce suicides by 20%.  At the end of the period, it was found that 100% of frontline staff had been trained, and the number of deaths was also significantly down. (18%)

 

Tracy noted that although she is based in the NHS, all choose life work is actually part of the Single Outcome Agreement and is performed under a Service Level Agreement with the council. This is likely to continue under the new SOA. 

 

On reviewing the outcomes of the 10 year strategy, it quickly became clear that the first and most fundamental issue is that those at risk, (i.e. those with thoughts of suicide), need treated with compassion. This does not always happen.

 

Suicide in Scotland is a significant Public Health risk.   There are however, significant variations of risk within the population. Men are currently categorised as being at a higher risk than women; with the highest risk group being men aged 35-54.  Mental health and addiction issues can also increase the level of risk, but so too can deprivation and stress. One proof of this is that over 60% of men within the 35-54  age group  who actually committed suicide, were working, but in low paid or temporary employment.  The link with deprivation is not necessary direct, but it is a constant.  Similarly, there is an increased risk for farmers in this age group.

 

Despite the success of the Strategy, the number of suicides in Scotland is  still very high when compared with  the European average (4th highest) , the latest 2012 figures show  762 suicides in that year, compared with 174 road fatalities in 2012, (9^th lowest of the 40 countries for which figures are available).

Of the 762 suicides in 2012, 9 of the deaths were in Argyll.   These deaths have a huge impact, not only on the person themselves, but in the knock on effect on friends.

 

and families who are statistically at increased risk themselves, as they deal with the death of the friend or family member.

It should be realised that research shows that suicide is not actually about people wanting to die; it is about showing them how they can live, and in some cases showing them an alternative way of maintaining control of their life.  Many of the topics discussed at the Community Safety Forum can have an influence on suicide related behaviours e.g. ASB or self-harm and it is important to be alert to this.

 

Lack of access to resources is often cited as a reason for high suicide levels, but if individuals stop and consider what is actually available, there are a lot of resources on offer (although not all are specifically flagged as suicide prevention services).  Advice and support is usually available if people know where to look - and want it.  This is not necessarily only within an individual’s own circle of friends, also but also at community classes, or organisations such as CAB, Money Advice, or other advice groups, as well as dedicated support groups such as Dochas or the MS centre.

 

 

The work of “Choose Life” going forward now has 4 main objectives

 

1) Continuing Training via the provision of the 2 courses :- Safetalk and ASIST.

2) Identification and intervention in specific instances where people are at risk.

3)Peer support for survivors of Suicide (SOBS is starting tomorrow night  in Lochgilphead and a support group for men affected is also to come during the summer).

4) A study of the availability and lethality of methodologies with a view to making them less attractive.

 

Key to all the work outlined above is getting people to talk about suicide, and “Choose life” have used comedy, plays and pub quizzes in the past. Tracy advised that they are willing to use almost anything as a platform for enabling discussion.

Another aspect of their future work is a new focus on self-harm prevention including the possibly changing role of role of teaching and pastoral staff.

 

The forum was keen to know how they can best support and assist.  Tracy advised that all those interested could be placed on the Mailing list for events and training,

She indicated that the Council already have contact details for safe talk and ASIST on their internal intranet.

For those who have not already done so, Tracy recommended attending a SafeTalk training session, and some members provided contact details for this purpose. She also asked that her contact details be publicised wherever appropriate.

 

It was noted that some driver only road traffic accidents might actually be suicide attempts. Peter Howland noted that there are a significant number of water accidents which are also possibly attempts.

 

Cllr. Taylor noted that Regulatory Services have two members of staff who are in direct regular contact with farmers - and that they could provide a connection. Tracy agreed, and highlighted the specific service available to farmers called the “over the gatepost” helpline, which is a place where farmers can chat and any topic can be discussed.

 

i)                    Hate Crime

ii)                   Regulatory Services

iii)                 CCTV update & BIDS for Camera Usage

iv)                 Domestic Abuse

v)                  Child Protection/Youth Projects

vi)                 Older Persons

vii)               Home Safety

viii)              Health

ix)                 Health Activities

x)                  Police Scotland

xi)                 Fire Scotland

xii)               Road Safety

xiii)              Proposed Referred Partnership

xiv)             Water Safety

 

Sgt. Ferguson gave a report of the recent police activity and reported that there had been the following incidents:-

 

i) Hate Crime

1 incident of a 23yr old male making racist and sectarian comments.

1 serious assault in south Kintyre – in a close-involving 2 men.

5 simple assaults in south Kintyre,

3 on Islay,

and 5 in Mid Argyll.

 

Andrew asked whether heroin use was down – stats can be provided on request.

 

In Inverary- a vehicle stop resulted in an arrest for possession of a knife

And two drug arrests were made as a result of proactive raids in Campbeltown.

 

 

ii) Regulatory Services

 

Kathleen Munro from trading standards indicated that they were investigating a rogue trader currently operating in Campbeltown. Information has been circulated, but this individual is also being investigated by Stirling and Edinburgh.

Kintyre CPP did a leaflet drop a year ago re rogue traders, and Kathleen agreed to provide leaflets the area governance officer for onward transmission to the  Kintyre Crime Prevention Panel.

 

Kathleen also noted a case involving a wood burning stove where the installation was faulty. Unlike “Gas Safe” no qualification is currently necessary to perform this task. The Area Governance Officer agreed to liaise with building and trading standards, to see if any best Practice advice could be made available.

 

Alex Purdie indicated that he would speak to his senior officers to suggest that the fire service take a stall at the ideal homes exhibition in Glasgow.

 

iii)  Update & BIDS for Camera Usage

The ASB Officer noted that there had been further developments re the CCTV system in Campbeltown town centre  and that the was now looking to move the camera to the Christian Institute subject to planning consent in June

Andy Hemmings asked what would happens if the building were to be sold- Robert clarified that  continued access to and usage of the camera would be a condition of any sale.

 

iv)  Domestic Abuse

 

The Chair highlighted that “Violence against Women” has established 5 working groups on various topics which are to report back to the CPP.

 

v) Child Protection/Youth Projects

 

Raymond Flanagan reported that he is working with Mid Argyll Youth Project and Forum, as well as with the Princes trust.  One of the big projects currently underway is looking at WW1 memorial with the veterans association.  Raymond also indicated that the “I am me” plays may also be run in MAKI,  these teach young people about self-identity and acceptance.

 

Alex Purdie  and Raymond agreed to liaise to explore the idea of  “young firefighters” as a possible avenue for young people – this can also facilitate certain qualifications.

 

Raymond Noted that most of the successful evening work with young people such as “Jam” is ongoing.

 

vi) Older Persons

There was no update received.

 

vii) Home Safety/Fire Service

Alex Purdie reported that Home Fire Safety Visits continue to be well received- however, manually activated false alarms are still an ongoing issue for the service.

He Highlighted the recent  successful  RTC scenario performed in Dunoon and asked that forum members circulate  some of the Photographs  if they have the opportunity  the Scenario was very well received and it was requested  that  this be replicated here perhaps in the future.

 

Alex also highlighted the changes in Social work practice as a result of the changes to their assessment forms which has led to approx. 140 referrals targeting the most vulnerable groups.  The forum noted that this looks to be a very successful piece of work.

 

Finally Alex Purdie confirmed a number of other activities which are planned to take place in the Maki and surrounding areas, including the Bikers Breakfast in Inverary.

 

viii) Health

The Chair noted that she has received reports of, and has also had experience of a number of issues regarding ambulance response times.  She has arranged a meeting with the service and will feed back once she has the information sought. 

 

ix) Health Activities

Tracy noted that she would ask the Health improvement team to add the forum to their mailing list.  She also agreed to speak to colleagues to see if arrangements for individuals to attend can be made.

 

x) Police Scotland

The Partner update was given at item 7 

 

Xi) Road Safety –

It was noted that as part of the Fire Service update that an event had been arranged for Motorcyclists, but that there was no report of any event for pedal cyclists.  A discussion followed about how this could be addressed, and it was agreed that Dr. Sarah Griffin would be contacted for information about when “safe cycling” week is scheduled and whether there was any way that the forum could assist. Information about any initiatives would be circulated to the group.

 

Xii) Water Safety

Peter Howland reported that Council had not yet erected the safety signage which the forum had been lobbying for at Tainloan, and elsewhere. It was noted that there may be further signage  erected following the route of the new kayak trail.

 

Verbal update by Area Governance Officer

The Area Governance Officer gave a short verbal update, noting that the groups is awaiting a strategic steer from Chief Superintendent McEwan, but that the General feeling from the Forums was a real concern that the focus on Community Safety could be lost if the Forums were disbanded.  Overall it remains a watching brief. 

 

 

Verbal update by Area Governance Officer.

 The Area Governance Officer and Andrew Hemmings will continue to liaise to see if there is a group which can coordinate efforts.  Andrew has been able to get some volunteers to agree in principle to keep a neighbourly eye on some locations, but the need for a local coordinating group is clear, . The Area Governance Officer will contact the current convenor of the CC to see if there is any group who may be willing to take this role on.

 

 

A number of events were highlighted for the Diary

 

Fire and Ice Walk for MS on Saturday 10^th May  

 

The official opening of the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail is now timed to coincide with the Ardrishaig on the Canal Festival the  27^th July

 

Tarbert Seafood Festival 5^th  July

 

Scottish Series Scottish Series Yacht Race Friday 23 May - Monday 26 May 2014

 

MOK 10k run Campbeltown 25th May

 

Choose Life Conference 8th September

 

Tarbert Traditional Boat and Viking Festival 25-9^th June Inverary- Tarbert-Portavaddie

 

Various Homecoming Events on 22-23 July

 

 

Trading Standards noted that they are awaiting the arrival of a number of Call blocking phones which will be allocated to vulnerable people where there is evidence of nuisance calls being made.

 

 

Date of Next Meeting

 

5^th August 2014 at 2.00pm in Campbeltown

4^th November at 2.00 pm in Lochgilphead