Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated by:-

Councillor Donald Kelly

Councillor Donald MacMillan

Councillor Douglas Philand

Yvonne Litster

Audrey Baird

Bob Chicken

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting and extended good wishes on behalf of the MAKI LACPG for a speedy recovery to Councillor Donald MacMillan after his recent operation.

In addition, the Chair formally congratulated Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie on her recent temporary promotion and wished her every success in her new position.

The Minute of the last meeting held on 7 March was approved as a true and correct record.

Christina West provided an update in regards the recent successful engagement of a GP for Islay.  Dr Kate Pickering would be based in Bowmore.  However, the progression of appointing a GP to Jura had been unsuccessful.  Plans had been formulated to meet with Jura Community Council to re-advertise the position. 

A 'drop-in event' was scheduled for 27 June,   whereby the local community would be updated on recent Health and Social Welfare issues.

Councillor Currie raised some concerns in regards the location of the GP surgery for pedestrians within the hospital at Bowmore and questioned if NHS Highland would be sourcing alternative accomodation for the surgery.  Christina West reported on the improvements made by NHS Highland in regards funding additional car parking provision at the hospital and reiterated that Derek Leslie, General Manager Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership had not indicated that alternative accommodation would be sourced.  She reported that the local community had affirmed that the present location was working well, but would take on board Councillor Currie's comments.

Glen Roberts, Convener Islay Community Council, questioned if any discussion on this issue had involved the new GP, Dr Kate Pickering.  Christina West replied that further discussion would take place when Dr Pickering was in post.

Louise Logue and Maryanne Stewart reported that  Survive and Thrive project is nearing its inception stage; all interviews have now been held and the Project Co-ordinator will be Lesley Anderson who joins  from Islay and Jura CVS and has a background including working with Womens Aid and within the criminal justice system.

The work will complement that of existing agencies who are partners with ADA (Against Domestic Abuse) multi-agency Partnership and supports survivors of domestic abuse, women, children and men, in gaining greater emotional strength and well being through supports including the personal development course, STEPS to Excellence and support from other voluntary sector organisations across Argyll & Bute. The work also facilitates a ‘joined up’ approach to this support through multi-agency networks. Importantly, survivors will have choices available to them and additional options to support their future well-being.
Importantly findings and experiences from this work should support and assist partner organisations to demonstrate need for their services giving a further dimension and feedback opportunity on which evidence based resources can be based.

Susan Paterson  reported on funding issues in regards the Community Care Forum and changes within the Scottish Ambulance Service and the impact on passenger transportation. 

Inspector Davidson reported on changes within Strathclyde Police’s Senior Management structure.  He informed the group of Chief Inspector’s Baillie’s recent temporary promotionary appointment and offered the group assurance of a replacement in the interim period.

He updated the group on the appointment of a new Detective Sergeant in Campbeltown.

Inspector Davidson had a copy of the Chief Constables’ Annual report and detailed that the report was also available on the Strathclyde Police website.

Councillor McAlpine voiced concerns in regards the lack of police presence at Tarbert police station.  Alistair Davidson replied that there was 1 permanent Strathclyde Police officer at Tarbert.  However, the number of police vehicles had been rationalised, resulting in the fact that officers  no longer had a dedicated vehicle.  Provision and cover was still attributed to Tarbert from Lochgiphead Police station.

Councillor McAlpine requested that the situation be monitored.

Verina Litster advised that she was representing Andy McClure, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue.   She reported that a new Area Commander had been appointed -  Jim Scott would be based in Helensburgh and would be replacing Paul Connolly.

Shirley MacLeod spoke to the report advising the group of the outcome of a meeting of the Islay CC on May 8.  She informed the group that Audrey Baird would be having further discussion with both the Islay and Jura CC Conveners.

The group agreed that this item would continue for discussion at the next meeting. 

Louise Logue reported on the low turnout at meetings of the Third Sector and proposals to implement new methodology in the process of successfully liaising with local groups.

Christina West enquired on the status of the request made by Councillor Philand in regards supporting the maintenance and continuation of the Rural Transport Grant which was made available to the Red Cross.

Action: Shirley MacLeod would ascertain the status of the request and advise Christina West accordingly.

Eileen Wilson reported that the new Community Plan had been through the Community Planning, process, but was not as yet approved.  Planning had already been instigated for the next Community Plan.

She advised the group of a forthcoming Workshop summit on 12 June, which the new Council Leader would be attending.  The Scottish Government planning review would be undertaken in 3 stages.  It was envisaged that recommendations resulting from this would perhaps require formal legislation and that guidance on the outcome would be available by the end of the summer.

Fergus Murray gave a detailed presentation on the Craignish Community Plan.

Councillor Semple enquired on the methodology on how other communities could be involved and the process of how this be rolled out to other area.

Fergus Murray replied that his team were working with many communities and affirmed that he and team were available for discussion and liaison with local communities who needed advice and support.

The group agreed to the recommendations detailed within the report.

Shirley MacLeod explained to the group that representation from BIDS Scotland hoped to attend the next meeting.

Kate Connelly spoke to the report which detailed the Council’s Business Continuity arrangements.  

The Chair enquired if Community Councils and local groups had been given a link to the survey.  Kate affirmed that full details had been emailed out to local Community Councils and organisations.

The group noted the recommendations detailed within the report.

The Chair informed the group that the Thematic reports would be regular reports and would be for noting.  However, if there was anything contentious detailed within the reports, then partners/group members could make contact with the relevant lead officer to ascertain further information, as required.

Glen Roberts, Islay CC Convenor, voiced his concerns at the VC audio quality during the meeting

Action: Shirley MacLeod would relay the group’s dissatisfaction on the quality of the VC transmission to the IT Management team. 

Christina West enquired on the future format of the LACPG and forthcoming meeting dates.  Eileen Wilson replied that the format was still to be decided upon.  However, this would be a mechanism which would be community influenced and agreed by CP partners.

The Chair thanked the group for their attendance and input at the meeting.