Agenda and minutes

Apologies were recorded from Councillor Devon, Audrey Martin, Veronica Kennedy and Daniel Docherty

Minutes of meeting of Oban, Lorn & the Isles Local Area Community Planning Group meeting held on 11 January 2012 were approved as a correct record.

For noting

Minutes of meeting of Oban, Lorn & the Isles Local Area Community Planning Group meeting held on 9 November 2011 were approved as a correct record, subject to noting that Councillor Gordon Chalmers had intimated apologies.

Annuska Miller provided a presentation on SAMS, intimating that the new science park should be completed by September 2012.  Over the next few months the Firth of Lorne will be mapped using new technology, and the new Explorer Centre should be achieved soon.  Ms Miller promoted the Festival of the Sea which will be held from 18^th to 26^th May.

John Lauder, National Director, Sustrans, informed the meeting of their walk/cycle promotion, which is Scottish Government funded.  Sustrans remit covers 2,000 miles of cycle / walk paths throughout Scotland, “traffic free paths” with access controls to stop vehicles.  Mr Lauder advised that most paths follow former railway lines and that funding has been sourced for the next three years; also that Sustrans hope to negotiate land to complete all the paths, with maintenance agreements being signed by partners for sections of the paths.

Agenda Item 8:

Sandy MacTaggart, Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, provided a power point presentation on Tiree Array proposals, showing options being looked at, the vision being “Argyll and Bute will be at the heart of renewable energy development in Scotland by taking full advantage of its unique and significant mix of indigenous renewable resources and maximising the opportunities for sustainable economic growth for the benefit of its communities and Scotland.” Mr MacTaggart spoke on the key facts; the potential for significant investment in Scotland; the possible job opportunities for Argyll over the 25 – 50 years of operation / maintenance; and on the key issues raised at the consultation events.  Mr MacTaggart also outlined the project timeline and future steps to be taken including the development of a Community Renewable Opportunity Plan (CROP)

Agenda Items 5 and 6:

Fergus Murray provided a power point presentation giving an update on Oban CHORD projects and Lorn Arc progress, summarising that the emerging Local Development Plan (LDP) will act as a broad land use framework to enable the implementation of CHORD; Tax Incremental Funding (TIF), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Oban Bay Action Plan (OBAP), Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), and the Renewable Energy Action Plan (REAP).  Mr Murray demonstrated the links between the foregoing bodies and stressed the need to recognise the many opportunities even in the current challenging economic circumstances; the highly competitive situation providing a requirement to be business like, work together, (public, private and voluntary sector) and to be realistic with aspirations; Mr Murray highlighted the need to look at delivering short, medium and longer term goals, focussing on delivering Oban and Lorn’s full potential for sustainable economic growth.

John Forteith provided a power point presentation on the progress to date of BID4Oban, giving a summary definition of a BID as “A geographically defined area where businesses have voted in a legally binding ballot, to invest collectively to make local improvements to their trading environment.”

The BID4Oban proposal includes all businesses in Oban within the 30mph speed limit zone; includes all businesses/ properties with a rateable value of £3000 or above; and excludes charitable & not-for-profit organisations (with exception of charitable retailers)

Mr Forteith informed the group that improvements are funded with money collected through a levy paid by businesses located within the BID area, and are not a replacement for services provided by the local authority or other public bodies.  It is hoped that the BID for Oban will increase the number of visitors and shoppers to the town, provide an opportunity to improve the business performance within the town and improve the ambience of the town.

The presentation concluded that BID4Oban Management Board are to deliver a 5 year business plan by June 2012 with an approximate budget of £150K per annum, and that a successful BID for Oban will mean:

• a “One Stop Shop” for all sectors of the business community covering Retail, Support services, Hospitality, Leisure;
• a credible self funding organisation that represents the business community of Oban
• Safety in numbers and a strong voice under one umbrella

Agenda item 13:

Jane Fowler, Head of Improvement and HR, informed the group that the community planning partnership is committed to involving local communities in the review and development of the community planning partnership.  Information gathered from the self assessment which took place between March and June 2011 has now been collated and the following actions have been taken.

1. Local structures have been reviewed and alternative models for achieving partner and community involvement in community planning are to be explored.
2. The Council currently supports community planning at local, thematic and strategic level. As a result of the findings of the self assessment the council has now implemented changes in how that support is managed and coordinated.

Eleanor MacKinnon presented a short update on behalf of the Winter Festival group highlighting the success of the event and the benefits this had brought to the area outwith the holiday season.

David Millward, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, informed the group that Strathclyde Fire & Rescue provide a free service of carrying out checks on properties when installation of smoke alarms, where required; will be carried out.  Advice on home safety will also be provided.  Requests for information or home safety checks should be made by calling the freephone number – 0800 0731 999, or by calling the local fire station.

Agenda Item 9:

Councillor Robertson updated the group on Lorn & the Islands District General Hospital as follows:

• Hospital Social worker has retired – being covered by agency worker at present, position has been advertised;
• New integrated ward up and running;
• Accident and Emergency attendees – hospital are monitoring regular recurrences being referred to Occupational Therapy Department;
• Mark Benton, Ambulance Services, will be updating on patient transport in the future;
• Day Surgery: National figures show 83% of patients across the board should be day surgery, Oban has 67% at present;
• Non-attendance: very high rate of non-attendees producing a high cost.  Looking at ways to alert people of appointments (reminders) in an effort to reduce this cost;
• Health and Social Work local meetings to be reinstated to help with closer working.  Health Board are responsible for all Adult Services, Social Work responsible for Children’s Services. 

Agenda Item 11:

Laura Macdonald, Community Development Officer, informed the group that the Better Community Engagement resource pack is now available as a hard copy or on DVD.   Resources can be seen at the Argyll Voluntary Action office, High Street, Oban.

To be held in June at a date and time to be arranged