Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

 Councillor Robin Currie

 Councillor Douglas Philand

 Councillor Donald Kelly

 Shelagh Cameron

 Mary McGugan

 Leonard McNeill

 Colin Davidson

 Jura Community Council

 Colonsay Community Council

 Kate Murray

 Elaine Thomson

 Hector Thomson

 Elizabeth Rhodick

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 May 2011 were approved as a true and correct record.

Councillor Semple enquired when the Agenda items deferred from this meeting would be afforded discussion.  Shirley MacLeod replied that these items would be discussed at the meeting scheduled for November.  This had not been possible at this meeting to maximise time available  for discussion on the outcome of the CPP Self Assessment Exercise.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

A presentation by Alastair MacGregor, Chief Executive – Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA).

Alistair MacGregor, Chief Executive – Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) – gave an informative presentation detailing projects which had been undertaken by ACHA.

After his presentation, Alistair offered a question time to the group and the following issues were raised:-

Councillor Anne Horn enquired on ACHA’s policy in regards reparative work to owner occupiers whose property adjoined an ACHA property, and whereby damage had occurred.  Alistair replied that contractors employed by ACHA would work to the contract specification and ensure that any damage would be addressed

Bob Chicken thanked Alistair for his presentation and enquired if a breakdown on both the land bank units and the waiting list he had detailed within the presentation could be provided. Alistair replied that Yvonne Litster, Regional Manager would provide a breakdown on both of these.     

ACTION: Yvonne Litster would provide details of both to Theresa McLetchie who would disseminate this to MAKI LACPG members.

Lukas Lehmann informed the group of the Renewables ‘Rent a Roof scheme’.  Alistair was not aware of this initiative and enquired if Lukas could provide details for him.

ACTION:  Theresa McLetchie would provide Lukas with Alistair MacGregor‘s contact details.

Alistair reported on ACHA’s energy efficiency policy and potential small wind turbine developments on land owned by ACHA.  Glenn Heritage enquired if Alistair was aware of the Scottish Biomass Support scheme.  Alistair was aware of this; however he detailed concerns in regards the technology and level of liability. 

Councillor Hay raised the issue of homeless people being temporarily housed in local communities.  Alistair responded that when the Scottish Parliament had passed legislation in 2001 – Homelessness’ Act – this had impacted considerably onto Local Authorities.  Referrals for homeless people had become a priority, with Local Authorities needing to adhere to the Act.  The vast majority of these referrals did not present a problem or difficulty. 

Glenn Heritage enquired if ACHA were engaged in discussions around the Reshaping Care for Older People transition fund.  Alistair was aware of the ethos of this, but requested that Glenn provide more information for him.

ACTION:  Glenn Heritage would provide Alistair with information in regards the Reshaping Care for Older People transition.

The Chair thanked Alistair for his informative presentation.  He fully appreciated the many issues and problems which ACHA had inherited.  He extended his congratulations and thanks on behalf of the MAKI LACPG for the hard work and effort undertaken by AHCA and wished them every success for the future.

Jane Fowler intimated that she hoped the group would have a substantive discussion in regards the outcome of the Community Planning Self Assessment exercise and then made a short presentation to the group.

Following on from Jane’s presentation, Hamish Campbell felt that the terminology and language needed to be in layperson terms.

Councillor Colville stated that he appreciated Bute and Cowal LACPG was working well.  However, they had achieved this via a different route and the MAKI area would have different views and aspirations.  Councillor Semple reiterated that the MAKI area was different in terms of both the geography and local communities. 

Councillor Horn reported that both the Mid Argyll Partnership (MAP) and Kintrye Initiative Working Group (KIWG) were working well and functioning effectively

Decision  

Following extensive discussion, the group agreed on the following recommendations:

1. To take into account existing partnerships within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.
2. To ensure that the communication contained within reports and papers be in effective and clear language.
3. To review Community Council representation at the Management Committee Group and LACPGs – assisted by Argyll and Bute Council.
4. To strengthen Community Councils effectiveness as key local community groups and representatives.
5. To enable local community planning issues to be more driven by local communities.
6. To facilitate a process in which views imparted by local communities are fed back as part of ongoing, effective community consultation and engagement..

The group considered a report detailing the competing of the Argyll and Bute’s Community Planning Partnership in the Scottish Government’s National Better Community Engagement Programme and selection to partipcate.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Ref: A report by Audrey Baird, Community Development Officer, 7 September 2011, submitted).

The group considered a report providing informatin on the recent Community Council By-Elections.

Shirley MacLeod stated that in relation to page 28, the named individuals were duly elected.

Jeanette Laughton voiced her concerns in regards the timing of the By-Election.  In her opinion, this had been badly timed and did not take into account that many Community Councils had been unable to announce or advertise the By-Election due to this being within a holiday period. 

Shirley MacLeod replied that Argyll and Bute council had been under enormous pressure to commence the By-Election process and the closing date of 18 August had been decided as it was determined that schools would have re-commenced and  people with families would have more available time to submit nominations and applications.  Charles Reppke was over-viewing this and consideration would be given to a further round of By-Elections.  Shirley would feedback comments to Charles Reppke.

Decision:

The group agreed to note the report.

(Ref:  A report by Shirley MacLeod, Area Governance Manager, dated 20 August 2011, submitted). 

The Chair thanked everyone who had attended the meeting.