Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group – 5^th March 2013

The Minutes of Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting of 5^th March 2013 were approved as a correct record.

Joint Health Improvement Plan

Alison McGrory spoke on the Joint Health Improvement Plan of 2013 – 2016 and spoke on the strategic priorities.  She encouraged Partners to fill in the consultation feedback form and send or email it to her before the 14^th June 2013.

Eddie Renfrew and the Area Commander, Police Scotland, said the Fire and Police Services do have an input into Mental Heath and Wellbeing and Teenage Transition and would get the consultation form completed and given to Alison.

Jane Fowler advised that Argyll and Bute have the highest de-population in Scotland with the highest dependency of older people.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by the Health Improvement Principal – submitted)

Report by the Head of Improvement and HR

The Head of Improvement and HR spoke on the draft Gaelic Language Plan advising the plan is to support Gaelic in the home, community, education workplace, arts, heritage media and tourism and in economic development.

Councillor Blair advised that there was a very good Gaelic Unit in Sandbank Primary School.

Decision

The Group agreed to provide the Head of Improvement and HR with any comments on the draft plan.

(Reference: Report  by the Head of Improvement and HR – submitted)

Report by IOD Project Officer

Councillor G Blair took over the Chair for this item.

The IOD Project Office spoke on the New Community Engagement Strategy.  Eileen advised the new strategy has more information on co-production and engaging with communities as per Aim 3 “Improve engagement activity that drives up the quality of services and makes better use of resources” Alison McCrossan advised that there was a lot of work being doing around public involvement and working together. Eileen Wilson also spoke on the Consultation Diary that sits on the Council’s website advising it could be a very useful tool but needs people to use it and download any consultations that they have carried out.

The Group discussed community involvement and the Area Streetscene Manager said that due to the financial constraints the Council is in at the moment he is having to think of new ways of working including community engagement regarding Community Councils opening and closing public toilets.  The Group discussed the amount of work Community Council’s are asked to undertake and the help they receive.  Councillor McNaughton said that it was a mind set and communities still feel that it’s the Council’s job to do things but in this climate that is not going to be the case.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and agreed to feed any comments on the New Community Engagement Strategy to the IOD Project Officer.

(Reference: Report by the IOD Project Officer – submitted)

Report by IOD Project Officer

Councillor R Macintyre took over the Chair at this point.

The IOD Project Officer spoke on the feedback from the discussions that took place in March on the proposed Area Community Planning Events.  She spoke on resources to deliver the event advising the evaluation this year will decide on how to take the events forward in the future.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided and further noted that the structure of the event will be provided at the September meeting.

(Reference: Report by the IOD Project Officer – submitted)

Report by Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator

The Group heard from the Transport Planner on the funding awards for Cycle, Walking, Safer Streets projects for 2012-13 and the match funding that was successful.  He advised that the projects in this area were Midge Lane and the bus stop at Glenbranter.  He spoke on the funding for this year and the hope that the funding will be returning to previous levels in the future.

Sue Minns said the Midge Lane project was very successful and thanked the Transport Planner.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by the Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator – submitted)

Report by Quality Improvement Officer

The Group heard from the Quality Improvement Officer on the progress being made within Education in Argyll and Bute. He spoke on the changes to how the HMIE carry out their inspections advising that the standard has been put higher so people might find that awards are now good or better.  He spoke on the Scottish Education Awards, the leadership programme, self-evaluation and skills for work and alternative qualifications on offer.

Councillor Blair said there was a lot of positive work going on in our schools but there was still work to be done.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Police Mobile Office

Public Entertainment Licences

Update on Parking Clocks

Dog Fouling

Data Protection

School Catchment Areas – North Bute and Kilmun

Community Council representation on the Cowal Community Safety Partnership

Police Mobile Office

Sue advised that this issue had been highlighted because Kilmun had been missed off the diary for the Police Mobile Office and the Area Commander advised that this has been rectified. He advised that he is working on getting the publicising of the mobile unit improved.

Public Entertainment Licence

The Area Governance Manger advised that the PPSL had made the decision not to charge for the Public Entertainment Licence for community groups, this has still to be agreed by the full Council.  Sue Minns asked if the advice leaflet was still going to be produced and the Area Governance Manger said she did not know but the information should be on the website.

Update on Parking Clocks

The Roads Engineer spoke on the information he had received in regard to parking clocks including the costs associated with the clocks and different kinds that are available.  He advised that any scheme would need to be implemented across Argyll and Bute and currently the Decriminalised Parking Enforcement documentation is being prepared for on-street parking and associated traffic offences and the use of parking clocks can be considered as part of that process.

Dog Fouling

Sue Minns advised that the Community Councils had been informed that there was very little punishment for people who allow their dogs to foul because one man was let off because he could not afford the fine.  She spoke on the banner that had appeared in Kirn and the Area Streetscene Manger advised that it the Community was to contact him he could help them get a banner in their area.  Area Commander Stitt spoke on the police campaign and Councillor Blair advised that there had been 96 complaints registered last quarter.

Data Protection

Sue Minns advised the Group that she had been in contact with the Register Commission Office and it is a requirement of law for Community Councils to register for Data Protection and they are not exempt.

School Catchment Areas

The Area Governance Manger advised that although the Rural Schools Report has been published the Council has still to meet and decide how to take this forward.  Until that decision is made no changes to school catchment areas will be made. 

Community Council representation on Cowal Community Safety Partnership

Sue Minns advised that the Community Councils had received information from the Cowal Community Safety Partnership about a Cold Calling Campaign and that Community Council s could apply for funding for this but the Community Council’s didn’t know anything about it.  It was agreed the information about the Cold Calling Campaign would be forwarded to Sue.

Councillor Macintyre intimated his apologies and left the meeting at this stage, Councillor Blair took over the Chair.

Lorna Ahlquist spoke on the Rock Up in Red event that was held in the Argyll Gardens advising it was very well attended with 80 pupils from Toward, St Mun’s and Dunoon Primaries.

Lorna further spoke on Happy Days which will be run by Paul Kerr and will consist of a tailor made day out for people living with palliative care.  There is a fundraising event on 20^th July where swimmers will  be crossing from the Cloch Lighthouse to Port Riddle and she asked for information on whether they need licences for different items, the Area Governance Manger said she would get Environmental Health to contact Lorna.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

There was no update from Argyll Voluntary Action.

Jane McKenzie advised Scottish Water were in the area surveying the waste water network to address surface water issues.  She further advised there was an ongoing problem in Ardbeg in Rothesay and that additional work in Cairndow will be carried out in September.  She spoke on the hydro and wind turbine schemes Scottish Water are looking at.  Jane advised the Scottish Water depot at Broxwood is a redundant site and will be disposed of but probably not in the near future.

Area Commander Stitt advised that the transition from Strathclyde Police to Police Scotland went well. Based on the same period last year he reported that crime figures in general were down with particular focus being on reports of Anti Social Behaviour which are down again by as much as 50% on last years figures. Area Commander Stitt believes this to be as a result of the Anti Social Behaviour groups that now sit on a regular basis, involving various partners working together to tackle the issue. These meetings are becoming more “Action” driven, where each group is accountable for the actions allocated. The Area Commander is looking to role out this Multi Agency Tasking approach into other areas of criminality and at the present time is looking to expand on the good multi agency work being carried out into Domestic Abuse and is also looking at retail crime. This will be an ongoing piece of work over the next year.

Area Commander Stitt also commented on recent crimes within the area and highlighted that there had been recent a spate of fire raisings, however some of these have now been detected and investigations continue into the outstanding crimes. He also highlighted a spate of sneak in thefts in the Dunoon town centre which he will highlight through local media providing crime prevention advice. He reported that the “Summer Season” is now well underway with police assisting in a number of ways including recently assisting with an Emergency scenario involving a number of agencies at Dunoon Grammar School which involved highlighting the consequences of using a mobile phone whilst driving. He said the Police attended the Safe and Sound Event in Strachur which was a good event however not well attended. Events coming up over the next few weeks include the Police 5 aside tournament in Dunoon, The Sandbank Gala day, The Harley Davidson Event, Blairmore in Bloom, and Bute and Cowal Games as well as the Bute Agricultural Show.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

Reform update

Spring Strategy

Hearing Impairment Referrals

Eddie Renfrew gave an update on the Fire Reform from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue to Fire Scotland.  He advised the structure has had the biggest impact but he is still committed to have Fire attendance at all meetings.  He advised there has been a lot of displaced officers and it has not yet been sorted where they will be working.  They have not had any agreement of the Chief Fund which was £16,000 for each area for people to apply for.  He spoke on the Spring Strategy which will be dealing with secondary fires with 15 in the area with one in Colintraive which had a big impact on the local community.  He said he would be looking at how to tackle scrub fires next year after the events this year and Garry Stitt said he would also be interested in that.  Eddie Renfrew said that they have had two referrals from NHS Highland regarding deaf alerts which is a different set up than a normal smoke alarm.

Decision

The Group noted the information provided.

The Group noted the highlight/exception report for Bute and Cowal Community Safety Partnerships. 

The Group noted the highlight/exception report for Cowal Transport Forum.

The Group noted the highlight/exception report for the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Partnership.