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Argyll and Bute Council · 8 May 2024
Back to Oban Lorn & the Isles Area Community Planning Group — 8 May 2024 and its agenda

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OBAN LORN & THE ISLES COMMUNITY PLANNING
GROUP HELD BY MICROSOFT TEAMS 
ON WEDNESDAY, 8 MAY 2024 
Present: Colin Buchanan, Luing Community Council (Chair)
Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council
Rona Gold, Communities and Partnership Manager, Argyll and Bute Council
Councillor Julie MacKenzie, Argyll and Bute Council
Councillor Kieron Green, Argyll and Bute Council
Robert Taylor, Scottish Fire and Rescue
Maureen Evans, Community Learning Services, Live Argyll 
Carol Flett, Oban, Lorn and the Isles Living Well Network
Theresa Bain, UHI Argyll
Jane Metcalf, Coll Community Council
Rachel Heald, Hope Kitchen
Rory Munro, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership
Kirsten Johnston, Argyll and Bute TSI
Joan Best, Crossroads North Argyll
Seonaid Cameron, ACHA
Sergeant Matthew Shaw, Police Scotland
Charles Steuart Fothringham, Appin Community Council
Matthew Hall, Oban Youth Café
Jim Tolmie, Oban District Access Panel
Duncan Martin, Oban Community Council
Takki Sulaiman, Argyll and Bute TSI 
Attending: Councillor Willie Hume, Argyll and Bute Council
Rachael McGruer, Scottish Government Place Director
Debbie Maguire, Scottish Government 
Andrew Galloway, Local Democracy Reporter, Argyll and Bute 
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made. 
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of: 
Councillor Jim Lynch, Argyll and Bute Council;
Michelle Mundie, ACHA;
Fergus Murray, Head of Economic and Development Growth, Argyll and Bute Council;
Kirsty McLuckie, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council;
Petra Pearce, Argyll and Bute TSI;
Jane Fowler, Head of Customer & Support Services, Argyll and Bute Council ;
Inspector Lee Page, Police Scotland;
Susan MacRae, Skills Development Scotland; and
Caroline MacArthur, NHS Highland. 
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 
There were no declarations of interest intimated.

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3. MINUTES 
(a) Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Planning Group 7 February 2024 
The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group
meeting held on Tuesday 7 February 2024 were approved as a correct record. 
Having noted the commitments of those in attendance, the Chair agreed to vary the order
of business. This Minute reflects the order in which discussions took place. 
4. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF THE OBAN, LORN AND THE ISLES AREA
COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP 
The Group gave consideration to a report providing information relating to the appointment
of Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group and outlined the
expected time commitment and information on the role. 
The Vice-Chair Colin Buchanan advised that he would be happy to stand for this position
and with there being no other nominations, this became the decision of the group. 
The Committee Manager advised that due to Colin’s new position, a report would be
considered at the next meeting seeking nominations to the Vice-Chair position. The
Committee Manager encouraged partners to consider whether this was a role that they
would be interested in fulfilling and if so to please contact him for further details. 
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group agreed that Colin
Buchanan be appointed as Chair. 
(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 8 May 2024,
submitted) 
5. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
UPDATE 
The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during a
meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee held on
10 April 2024. 
Stuart McLean, Committee Manager advised of a proposed new governance structure for
the Community Planning Partnership to assist in delivering actions from the Argyll and
Bute Outcomes Improvement Plan (ABOIP); updates to the Transport Infrastructure,
Housing and Community Wellbeing ABOIP outcomes; and progress with relevant projects,
including an update to the Terms of Reference for the Climate Change Working Group. 
Rona Gold, Community Planning Manager, provided clarification in relation to discussions
about the governance structure of the Community Planning Partnership, having noted
some disagreements with the proposals expressed at the Management Committee
meeting and within a report that featured on the agenda for this meeting. It was
highlighted that no decisions had been made in relation to this matter and partners would
be working together to ensure that the meetings taking place were meaningful, and
allowed as much time and resource as possible for action and progress on the ABOIP
outcomes. It was noted that a development session with CPP partners would be held in
June, and details of this session would be circulated to relevant partners in due course.

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Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
contents of the report.
(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 8 May 2024,
submitted) 
6. UPDATE ON COMMUNITY COUNCIL INTERIM BY-ELECTIONS 
Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the membership of
community councils in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area following the closure of the
nomination period for the interim by-elections. 
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Governance Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 8 May 2024,
submitted) 
7. ARGYLL AND BUTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP - PUBLIC
HEALTH 
(a) The Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2023 (NHS Highland):
Medication & Public Health: Do the Right Thing 
Consideration was given to a public health update from NHS Highland. The update
focussed on The Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2023 (NHS
Highland): ‘Medication & Public Health – Do the Right Thing. The report examined
public health challenges and the benefits and drawback of prescribed medicines,
with a focus on escalating levels of pharmacotherapy and its impacts on both
individuals, and the population and their environment, including the rise of antibiotic
resistance and the environmental pollution caused by medicines. 
The report also provided information on the following key issues: The Environment:
How medication can make out environment sicker; Hepatitis C: How medication is
transforming treatment and prevention; Social Prescribing: How an alternative to
medication can work; and Prescriptions for Pain: How medication can have long-
lasting effects on public health. A case study regarding how medication and other
measures can work together to improve health was also considered.
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and
noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Senior, NHS Highland, submitted) 
8. INCLUDEM - YOUTH JUSTICE

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The Chair advised that David Gould, Associate Researcher, Includem was unable to
attend the meeting and it was noted that there was information on this item within the
agenda pack, for anyone to review. 
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group agreed to continue
consideration of this item at a future meeting. 
9. ARGYLL COMMUNITY HOUSING ASSOCIATION - ANNUAL UPDATE 
Consideration was given to an annual report from Argyll Community Housing Association
(ACHA) which provided information in relation to their stock in the Oban, Lorn and the
Isles area; investment programmes; the Warm Homes Fund project; Investment in
Sheltered Housing complexes; a review of ACHA’s sheltered housing services; allocation
and re-letting of properties; opportunities for communities to engage with planned Estate
Walkabouts; an ongoing consultation on ACHA’s Customer Involvement Strategy;  welfare
rights services; adaptations for vulnerable customers; success at the Scotland Housing
Awards, Scottish Energy Efficiency Awards and Tenant Advisory Service Nation
Excellence Awards; awards for local schools as part of ACHA’s 10 10 10 initiative; and the
feedback from customer satisfaction surveys.
The report also encouraged applications to ACHA’s Community Action Fund, advising that
a number of awards from the Fund had already benefitted local groups. 
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided.
(Reference: Report by Trainee Local Manager, Argyll Community Housing Association,
dated 8 May 2024, submitted) 
10. SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT - PLACE DIRECTOR 
Consideration was given to a presentation by Rachael McGruer, Place Director at the
Scottish Government. The presentation highlighted that the role of Place Directors is to
understand how public services can best work together and support partners to work with
communities across Scotland. The presentation also included information on Place
Directors responsibilities; the history of Place Directors with it being highlighted that they
have existed since 2008 and prior to 2022 were known as Location Directors; and
personal involvement such as attendance at CPP meetings and supporting visits for the
Permanent Secretary and Travelling Cabinet. 
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Presentation by Place Director, Scottish Government) 
11. COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING IN ARGYLL AND BUTE - A FRAMEWORK
FOR ACTION

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Consideration was given to a report and presentation in relation to Community Wealth
Building. The report confirmed that the Community Planning Partnership Management
Committee formally received the Community Wealth Building report commissioned in
2023 at its meeting of 10th April 2024. It was highlighted that the recommendations in the
report were categorised in five sections: spending; workforce; inclusive ownership;
finance; and land and property. 
It was noted that the Community Planning Partnership had requested that Area
Community Planning Group provide feedback in relation to the implementation and priority
actions identified in the report and appendices. 
Decision
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group:
1. noted that a steering group of CPP partners oversaw the delivery and production of the
two reports at Appendix 1 and 2; 
2. agreed to forward any comments on implementation and priority actions within the final
report Community Wealth Building in Argyll and Bute: A framework for action at
appendix 1 following the meeting to the Committee Manager to pass to the CEO, Argyll
and Bute Third Sector Interface for consideration and action as appropriate; and  
3. agreed to forward any comments on the implementation and priority actions within the
two ‘Models of Opportunity’ at appendix 2 following the meeting to the Committee
Manager to pass to the CEO, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface for consideration
and action as appropriate. 
(Reference: Report by CEO, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, dated 8 May 2024,
submitted) 
12. OBAN, LORN AND THE ISLES LIVING WELL NETWORK 
The Group gave consideration to an update and presentation from Carol Flett, Oban, Lorn
and the Isles Living Well Network. The presentation included information on who the
Living Well Network are and what they do; network events and meetings and the Living
Well Network priorities for Oban, Lorn and the Isles. 
Carol also advised that following the last meeting where concerns were raised around
optometry services she had gathered information from a number of people and wrote a
document detailing the challenges around this provision and that this was sent to the
Locality Planning Group. Carol suggested that she share the response with the Chair and
Jim Tolmie who had originally highlighted the issue then respond to the HSCP with a
specific list of questions. 
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Presentation by Oban, Lorn and the Isles Living Well Network Co-ordinator)

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13. PARTNERS UPDATE 
(a) Police Scotland 
Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing
work of the Service and information on staffing changes; the Neighbourhood Watch
Scheme; management changes; the monitoring of anti-social behaviour caused by
youths and bespoke areas of patrol and the National NHS project ‘Lifelines
Scotland’ which is a project aiming to support the Wellbeing of the emergency
services staff and volunteers in Scotland.
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and
noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted) 
(b) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service 
The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue
Service’s (SFRS) FQ4 review of local performance across Oban, Lorn and the
Isles for the period 2023-24. The report included information on the local firefighter
training plan; incidents during this period; unwanted fire alarm signals; road and
water safety campaigns; community engagement activities; East and West
Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Local Senior Officer Activities and home fire
safety.  
Robert Taylor advised that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was currently
running a survey on the future of the service and that community engagement
events would be held in fire stations across Scotland. Further information on the
survey can be found at: Shaping Our Future Service: Your Say - Scottish Fire and
Rescue Services - Citizen Space
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and
noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted) 
(c) Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface Update 
Consideration was given to a report from Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface
(TSI), which provided an update on actions taken during financial quarter four of
2023-24. The update included information in relation to changes to the Charities
(Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023; local strategic partnerships;
the Community Wealth Building report; Community Planning Partnership
organisational changes; funding for 2024-2025; the Funders Fayre 2024 held in
Oban; a fourth year of funding of the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing
Fund; TSI Board member recruitment; testing of new models of co-location; work
by the Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network; the Sustainable Food Partnership
online event; consultations on a new strategy and a local sustainable funding
campaign; research proposal for mapping Argyll and Bute’s early intervention
services; and TSI’s hosting of a Wellbeing Development Manager post, funded by

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Macmillan Cancer Support and the Health and Social Care Partnership. 
Decision 
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and
noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by CEO, Argyll and Bute TSI, submitted) 
(d) Opportunity for Verbal Partner Updates 
Crossroads North Argyll 
Joan Best highlighted that Crossroads North Argyll provide respite for unpaid
carers and that as well as having the service in Oban they also have a service on
Mull and have started a service on Tiree. Joan advised that they can take referrals
from anyone and although they do have a waiting list of around 20 people they do
ask that if people know of anyone who could do with some help, then to advise
them to get in touch.  
Hope Kitchen 
Rachel Heald highlighted that The Hope Kitchen have opened a new community
shop which also has workshop space for use in 113 George Street, Oban and that
they will also be starting a Rescue Food Service within the next few weeks. It was
highlighted that this is led by the Hope Kitchen but is ran by The Collective. 
Argyll and Bute Council 
The Committee Manager highlighted that the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area
Committee are Trustees of the following of Trust Funds: 
The John of Lorn Bequest which has been available for some time and  is open
to anyone that is aged 16 and over and resident of the Burgh of Oban. Successful
individual applicants will receive £50, while those that are applying on behalf of
their family will receive £100. 
The Archibald Dow Bequest which is for people aged 16 and over living in
Taynuilt. Individuals who fulfil the criteria for support will receive £50 and families
can claim £100.
The Mackinnon Ledigham Bequest is aimed at people who are of state pension
age and live within the Ross of Mull. Applicants can receive £50 and a maximum of
one award per calendar year. 
Coals for the Poor Oban offers awards of £50 to individuals and £100 to families.
To be eligible you should be over 16-years-of-age, in receipt of a qualifying benefit
and resident in the burgh of Oban. The funds must be used to buy coal.
The Committee Manager advised that he would circulate a link to each fund at the
conclusion of the meeting and asked that partners promote these funds to anyone
that they think could benefit from them.

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14. CLIMATE CHANGE 
(a) Argyll and Bute Climate Action: Developing a Climate Change Strategy and
Action Plan for Argyll & Bute 
The Group gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Community
Planning Partnership’s Argyll And Bute Climate Action project: developing a
Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Argyll and Bute.
Decision
The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the approach
and status of the project as outlined in the report. 
(Reference: Report by Climate Change Project Manager, dated 16 April 2024,
submitted) 
(b) Opportunity for Verbal Updates on Community Based Initiatives 
There were no verbal updates provided under this item. 
15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 14 AUGUST 2024 
The Group noted that the next meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community
Planning Group would take place on Wednesday 14 August 2024. 
It was noted that members of the Group would like the option to attend future meetings in
person and it was agreed that the Committee Manager would conduct a survey to
ascertain the preference of the Group as a whole as to meeting arrangements going
forward.