Agenda and minutes

Councillor Simon welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Economy Thematic CPP Group and apologised for  the late start to the meeting.

It was agreed to vary the order of business and consider the report in respect of the Development of the Community Plan Thematic Paper before the report on Membership of Group to allow Douglas Cowan to attend another meeting.

None declared.

Presentation by Community Planning Manager and Report by Area Corporate Services Managers

Jane Fowler gave a presentation on the new CPP Structures which will extend the role of the Council in working with Partners to deliver services and ensure effective community engagement which will be an integral part of the work for the Thematic Groups.  The Group also considered a report prepared by Area Corporate Services Managers setting out the role and the Terms of Referance for the Thematic Groups

Decision

1.             Noted the report detailing the role of the Thematic Groups and their Terms of Reference;

2.             Noted that a seminar will be held for Members on 1 October 2009 to explain in more detail the role of the Thematic Groups and also the Local Area Community Planning Groups which will meet for the first time in November 2009;

3.             Noted that the quorum for the Economy Thematic CPP Group would be dependent on the number of Core Partners that are agreed to be members of this Group;

4.             Agreed that both the Economy Thematic CPP Group and the Economy PPG Group whould continue to meet on the same day with the Thematic CPP Group meeting in the morning and the PPG convening at the conclusion of the Thematic Group;

5.             Agreed that it was important that everyone was clear about the different language used by different organisations; and

6.             Requested that a copy of the presentation given by Jane be circulated round the Core Partners of the Group.

(Reference: Report by Area Corporate Services Managers dated 14 August 2009)

Report by Economy Thematic Lead

Douglas Cowan introduced his report setting out for consideration potential narrative for the Economy section of the Community Plan 2009 – 2013 and in doing so highlighing three areas of focus for the Economy Thematic CPP Group.

Decision

1.             Agreed that the 3 priority areas for the Economy Thematic CPP Group would be as follows:-

·         Sectors with Growth Opportunities – our sustainable economic assets – focus on renewables plus tourism, food and drink and marine science;

·         Town Centres – working towards our towns being vibrant centres of economic activity and he quality of our built  environment complementing our outstanding natural environment;

·         Supporting business growth;

2.             Noted Councillor Currie’s dissent in respect of parts of the agreed priorities which he felt would not address Island issues;

3.             Recognised that transportation underpins all of the above priorities and will impact significantly across all areas of the Thematic Groups and the Local Area Planning Groups and that this should be reflected back to the CPP Management Committee;

4.             Agreed that the Economy Thematic CPP Group would look at transportation when it impacts on the economy;

5.             Noted that a presentation on the Community Plan prepared by Eileen Wilson would be circulated round the Group.

(Reference: Report by Thematic Lead dated 24 August 2009, submitted)

Report by Area Corporate Services Manager

With the development of the Thematic Community Planning Groups the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership were required to confirm Core Partners to participate in the newly established Thematic CPP Groups.  A report advising on the proposed Core Partners for the Economy Thematic CPP Group was considered.

Decision

1.             Agreed that the Core Partners for the Economy Thematic CPP Group would be as follows:-

a)      Argyll and Bute Council – Economy PPG Members and Robert Pollock

b)      HIE/Scottish Enterprise – Douglas Cowan, Thematic Lead

c)      Representation from the Third Sector

d)      Representation from the Business Sector

e)      Representation from Transportation eg HITRANS/SPT

f)        Skills Development Scotland

g)      Strategic Tourism Partnership

2.             Requested Douglas Cowan to contact these Core Partners detailed at 1c to 1g above asking them to confirm who would represent them at meetings of the Economy Thematic CPP Group;

3.             Noted that Douglas Cowan would represent both the HIE and Scottish Enterprise and that a representative from Scottish Enterprise would be invited to future meetings if their specialist expertise was required in respect of a particular issue;

4.             Noted that Shirley MacLeod, Jane Fowler and Eileen Wilson would attend to facilitate and offer support at these meetings;

5.             Agreed that there would be flexibility to involve representatives from other Partners and other representatives from within the Core Partners as and when required.

(Reference: Report Area Corporate Services Manager, submitted)

Douglas Cowan left the meeting.

Presentation by Community Planning Manager and List of Existing Argyll and Bute Strategic Partnerships

The Group noted the current list of Strategic, Operational/Issue and Area Based Partnerships across Argyll and Bute which was last updated in 2008 and agreed that a copy of a presentation prepared by Eileen Wilson be circulated to the Group.

(Reference: Argyll and Bute Partnership List dated 2008, submitted)

Report by Community Planning Manager

Consideration was given to a report outlining arrangements for the Community Planning Conference being held in November 2009.

Decision

1.             Noted that the date for this 2 day Conference will be agreed shortly and that Eileen will advise the Group as soon as this is known; and

2.             Noted that Eileen would welcome any comments or suggestions on the arrangements/speakers.

(Reference: Report by Community Learning and Regeneration Manager dated 2 July 2009, submitted)

Wednesday 25 November 2009 at 10.00 am in the Council Chamber, Kilmory, Lochgilphead