Area Community Planning Group Update (Stuart McLean)
Argyll and Bute Council · 6 December 2024
Back to Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership - Management Committee — 6 December 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Classification: OFFICIAL Management Committee Date: December 2024 Agenda Item: Area Community Planning Groups – November 2024 Meetings 1. Purpose This paper presents key matters arising during the Area Community Planning Group meetings that were held in November 2024. 2. Recommendations The Management Committee is asked to note: a) the highlights detailed at section 4 of the report. b) that Councillor Anne Horn was appointed to the position of Chair of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group. c) that Councillor Julie McKenzie was appointed to the position of Vice-Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group. d) that the Governance Arrangements, specifically Terms of Reference and membership, will be considered at the meetings scheduled for February 2025. 3. Background There are four Area Community Planning Groups, one in each of the Council’s administrative areas (Bute and Cowal; Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands; Helensburgh and Lomond; and Oban, Lorn and the Isles). Meetings were held on a variety of platforms, including purely virtual and on a hybrid basis using Microsoft Teams. The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group met for the first time on a hybrid Basis, via Microsoft Teams and in person from the Oban Community Fire Station. Prior to the meetings discussion took place with the Area Chairs and Vice Chairs and a standard agenda template was agreed. All 4 meetings were well attended by a variety of partners. 4. Highlights
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Classification: OFFICIAL All Groups considered: • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Update The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ2 presented details of local performance across Argyll and Bute for the period 2024-25. 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 • Police Scotland Update Police Scotland provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on serious and organised crime; acquisitive crime; road safety and road crime; violent crime; public protection; the work of Youth Engagement Officers; the continued work on pro-actively engaging with the public in the locality; Winter Safety campaigns and the work on supporting local businesses through the festive season. • Community Resilience Argyll and Bute Councils Corporate Resilience Manager, Susan Donnelly, delivered a presentation which highlighted the importance of communities and individuals harnessing resources and expertise to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies, in a way that complements the work of emergency responders. The presentation also provided information in relation to why Community Resilience is so important, including details of potential risks and statutory sites; how Community Resilience is managed in Argyll and Bute; recent and future workstreams of the Resilience team and ongoing activity across Argyll and Bute. The presentation also provided details on how Partners could engage with Argyll and Bute Council in achieving resilient communities across Argyll and Bute. • Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team provided an update on the ongoing wellbeing and prevention activities overseen and delivered by them in Argyll and Bute. The update provided information on the work of the Smoking Cessation Advisers who have been promoting the Stoptober Campaign by raising awareness of the service; the continued work to increase awareness of the five adult screening programmes; the work of the Living Well Networks and the community events held by them; the launch of Year 5 of the Living Well Grants; The Argyll and Bute Joint Strategic Needs Assessment which will be published in November and the Art of Hosting method used to engage with communities. The report also provided information on alcohol and drug prevention and early intervention programmes; work commissioned by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs; ongoing work to support the recovery community in Argyll and
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Classification: OFFICIAL Bute and the engagement being taken forward by the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Support team. The Groups also gave consideration to a presentation which provided information on the Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership. The presentation highlighted that the mission of the Partnership is to work with, and for communities and organisations in Argyll and Bute to prioritise equality, diversity and health and wellbeing and foster environments and partnerships to nurture and support all. • Telecare and Broadband Update The Strategic Transportation Policy Officer and Digital and Projects Support Officer, Argyll and Bute Council presented information on the UK Government Guidance which highlighted that there would still be an option for a ‘landline only’ service as the Communications Act (2003) means all consumers in the UK will have access to a landline service should they choose to do so. The Groups noted that communication providers must not undertake any non-voluntary migration until they have confidence the system is robust and that they are taking all possible steps to protect vulnerable people throughout the migration process. • Argyll and Bute TSI Update Argyll and Bute TSI provided information on policy activity; local strategic partnerships; Community Wealth Building progress; Internal matters, contracts, sector support and strategic action plan delivery; the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Year 4 grant; the continued support given to the Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network and the work of the Wellbeing Development Manager. • Argyll and Bute Climate Action: developing a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Argyll and Bute Consideration was given to a report providing an update on the Community Planning Partnership’s Climate Action Project: Developing a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Argyll and Bute. It was noted that the Project Manager was seeking feedback from Partners on the draft Strategy and Action Plan, prior to submitting a finalised version to the upcoming Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meeting. • Rest and be Thankful – Ongoing Traffic Management (Bute and Cowal; Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands & Helensburgh and Lomond) Consideration was given to a presentation from Ian Woodcock from Transport Scotland on the ongoing traffic management arrangements at the Rest and Be Thankful. The presentation provided information on the hillside monitoring regime that is undertaken by a dedicated engineering team to ensure continued access to Argyll including a number of projects to improve and enhance the Old Military Road.
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Classification: OFFICIAL • The Poverty Alliance (Bute and Cowal & Oban, Lorn and the Isles) Becky Hothersall from The Poverty Alliance spoke to their Taking Action on Rural Poverty project. It was highlighted that the 3-year project is taking a collaborative approach to develop new ways of addressing the rural cost of living in Argyll and Bute and Aberdeenshire, as income based measures do not take account of the higher cost of living in rural and Island Scotland, which is between 15% to 30% higher than urban areas of the UK. Becky advised that the Alliance aims to develop practical, local measures aimed at reducing the rural premium. The presentation also provided information on the ongoing work of the Alliance which included establishing a citizen’s panel of 13 people from across Argyll and Bute and associated next steps; support offered to rural organisations and how to join them and be part of Scotland’s anti-poverty movement. Bute & Cowal (Meeting Papers - LINK) The Group gave consideration to an update from Reeni Kennedy-Boyle from Fyne Futures. The update confirmed that Fyne Futures had been awarded £2500 from the Supporting Communities Fund, which had supported the project around volunteering and food sharing with the programme now in the final few weeks of operation. Reeni reported that people of all abilities and ages have taken part in the horticultural activities at sites around Rothesay and Port Bannatyne and that the project had been successful in bringing people together, improving health and wellbeing and tackling food insecurity and poverty with dignity. The Group gave consideration to a verbal update from Neil Hammett, Warden Ecologist, Holy Loch Nature Reserve. Neil highlighted that the reserve is managed by a voluntary group and comprises of 24 acres of ungrazed land which they conserve as much as they can and that he has now counted 1200 species of insects living within the reserve. Neil added that they also have 2 kingfishers living within the reserve which have proved very popular with visitors. It was confirmed that the Reserve is part of a network funded by the Welcome Foundation and are hoping to expand the reserve by asking landowners to donate or lease part of their land. Ian Dow, Woodland Coordinator, Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT) delivered a presentation on the West Cowal Rainforest Restoration project. Ian provided information on ACT’s structure and projects; the Rainforests Projects elements; the Rainforest Heatmaps and Landscape Context and the Gibellula Zombie Fungus which was found and the resulting publicity around this. Ian also advised that the West Cowal landscape scale habitat restoration project has the potential to provide training, volunteer and education opportunities; boost sustainable tourism opportunities and visitor numbers to the area; increase local opportunities for employment and bring investment to the area; be an exemplar of evidence led habitat restoration and demonstrate how productive land use and connected nature
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Classification: OFFICIAL networks can coexist and contribute towards improving the health and wellbeing of West Cowal residents and visitors alike. Rhona Grant, Live Argyll, highlighted that the Youth Worker in Dunoon is working with the Police Youth Engagement Officer on establishing a new youth club and that they continue with the literacy support, working with people who have barriers and challenges to learning. Rhona advised that the new Community Learning and Development Strategic Partnership Plan 2024-27 is now complete with themes and shared priorities around digital skills; core skills for learning, life and work; health and wellbeing; your voice; the learning offer; and improve how they work as a partnership. Shona Edwards spoke of the work being undertaken on Bute which includes working with adult learners on basic digital skills, which she now has a waiting list for, and the work with the Bute Men’s Group around mental health support. Shona also advised that she is working with Bute Action Group and the Kintyre Youth Action Group to find ways to enhance local youth participation. Consideration was given to an update from Rhona Altin, UHI Argyll. The update included information on the 2024 Graduation which was held on 27 September in the Queen’s Hall in Dunoon with 75 graduates and their guests in attendance; a coffee morning held on 30 September in the Dunoon Centre with support of the Highlands and Islands Students Association to raise money for McMillan Cancer Support; stalls at community events; English for speakers of other languages qualifications, and a planned open day on 13 November in all centres. Helensburgh & Lomond (Meeting Papers - LINK) Consideration was given to an update from Transport Scotland which advised that planned overnight closures between Crianlarich and Tarbet are ongoing; the success of the safety cameras along the A82 and that layby and tourist signage improvement works along Balloch and Luss are ongoing. Sarah Davies, Helensburgh Community Council, provided information on the work undertaken in relation to the Helensburgh Waterfront Development project campaign; the creation of a Local Place Plan; the Annual Remembrance Parade; beach cleans and shrub bed tidying which has been paused until Spring with the exception of the emergency beach clean being held on Saturday 16 November; the support given to the Save the Tower buyout group; a presentation by Friends of Duchess Woods; their Planning Group who continue to review applications; and the grants given through Music on the Square fund. The Group gave consideration to an update by Sarah Davies from Fun First which provided information on the new Outdoor Sessions which are funded by the Argyll and Bute Supporting Communities Fund; their annual Halloween party; fortnightly Fun First Friends Sessions in the Drumfork Centre; applications for grants through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and the Scottish Government Health and
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Classification: OFFICIAL Wellbeing Fund; the award of £1,200 from local charity Helensburgh Heart; fund raising events and their annual Christmas party which will be held on 12 December. Consideration was given to an update from Gill Simpson from Helensburgh Community Hub. The update highlighted that the Hub had now been operating for three years under an initial business plan written in 2020 to secure a community buyout of the building and that they would be undertaking stakeholder and wider community engagement in early 2025 to inform on their next 3-5 year plan and continue growing the community-owned asset. Consideration was given to a report on the activity of the Community Wealth Building Short Term Working Group. The update provided information on the membership of the Group and activity to date. The Group has now met on three occasions since August, with discussions centred on understanding what Community Wealth Building is, how it can be translated into action across Helensburgh and Lomond, including mechanisms for proactively engaging and collaborating with community organisations across the whole area. The Working Group have also started to map potential benefits and challenges; acknowledging the need to link into and align with other relevant work including Local Place Plans, Community Action Plans and the Big Conversation on climate and exploring vehicles for delivering Community Wealth Building in Helensburgh and Lomond such as development trusts and broader alliances. Lindsey Young, Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network Representative, confirmed that funding is now open for community organisations who can apply for funding of up to £1000 to support projects relating to Climate Change, with information relating to this available on the TSI website. Lindsey also advised on a successful event at Cove Park concerning invasive species. Rhona Grant, Live Argyll Community Learning Services, highlighted that Helensburgh Youth Action Group are recruiting new members from across the locality. Rhona also advised of the new Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) Iona Scott-Elliot who alongside other Argyll and Bute MSYPs carried out a consultation with young people to establish what young people’s top priorities are. The consultation received 112 responses, 30 of them from Helensburgh and Lomond and that the top priorities included mental health support, drug and alcohol misuse and young people wanting more to do. Jayne Burnett highlighted that Visiting Friends have received over £4000 from the Co-op fund. Jayne advised that volunteer recruitment is the biggest issue for them as they rely on volunteers and advised that over the recent months they have received a number of calls from people out with the Helensburgh and Lomond Area looking for support. Rhu and Shandon Community Council highlighted that the Community had taken part in Water Blitz week and tested every burn that flows into the Gareloch. Fiona
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Classification: OFFICIAL Baker confirmed that the Community Council are working on developing a Place Plan strategy and that the Christmas light switch on in Rhu is being held on Friday 29 November from 6pm-9pm. The Community Council also raised concerns that the Transport Scotland 20mph limit is not being applied to the village. Angela Anderson, on behalf of Plastic Free Helensburgh, advised that there is a beach clean in Helensburgh on Saturday 16 November at 10am and also reported her delight that the Rhu and Shandon community are also doing regular beach cleans. Angela advised that she continues to talk to local groups about Climate Change. The Group gave consideration to a joint Community Focus presentation from David Lewin, Friends of Duchess Woods and from Andrew Donald from Helensburgh Community Woodlands. David Lewin confirmed that Duchess Woods comprises of 55 acres of mature woodlands which is owned by Luss Estates. David confirmed that it is designated a Local Nature Reserve; Local Nature Conservation Site; Open Space Protection Area; Part of Helensburgh Green Belt and registered in the NatureScot Ancient Woodland Inventory as Long Established of Plantation Origin. The presentation also provided information on the history of Friends of Duchess Woods; what the woods are used for; the role of Friends of Duchess Woods and Committee; Luss Estates ownership and sale of Duchess Wood and recent and future projects. Andrew Donald provided a timeline on the Helensburgh Community Woodlands which highlighted that in 2004 four sites were sold as a single lot by the Ministry of Defence. In 2006 the Helensburgh Community Woodlands Group was formed by local residents with the intention of securing the future of the Woodlands for the Community and to stop any developments that may undermine the area. Andrew advised that the Groups endeavours paid off and in November 2020, the Group completed the purchase and long-term future of the Wood. Andrew highlighted that the Group are now looking at how they can establish a woodland management structure; protect the woodland floor and how to secure funding for professional support. Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands (Meeting Papers - LINK) The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Victoria Shaw and John Kelly, Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), which provided an update on the works being carried out to accommodate new vessels on the Islay route. The presentation provided information in relation to the background of the project; the vessel delivery and project timelines; and provided information on the scope of works at Kennacraig (North and South), Colonsay and Port Askaig.
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Classification: OFFICIAL The Group gave consideration to a verbal update from Jim Maitland, Cairnbaan Community Trust, in relation to the Group’s activities. Information was provided on the work the Trust had carried out in their first year which included setting up a website, providing regular updates to stakeholders, and establishing their corporate identity. The Trust also held a successful logo design competition with Lochgilphead Joint Campus and secured funding to produce a short film; We Are Cairnbaan. It was also reported that the Trust had secured financial assistance from the Scottish Government Capital Asset Scheme and Scottish Land Fund. The Group had appointed consultants to produce a feasibility study and had submitted their request to purchase properties from FLS. The deadline for a decision from FLS was now 3 weeks away and it was noted that current priorities are driven by deadlines which require to be met along with looking ahead to identifying and securing more funding for the future. Transport Scotland provided an update in relation to recent and upcoming works on the A83. The update included details of works to manage hillside movement and material at the Rest and Be Thankful; investments in electrical signage; and repairs to Array Bridge. The update also included details of past and future scheduled maintenance works, including details of resurfacing schemes and routine footway, signing and drainage schemes. The Group gave consideration to a report from Live Argyll’s Community Learning Team in relation to their youth work in Kintyre. The report included information in relation to supporting the work of the Kintyre Youth Action Group (KYAG); the results of a recent consultation led by KYAG in relation to the views of local young people; collaboration between the Kintyre and Bute Youth Action Groups to enhance local youth voice across Argyll and Bute; an expedition to climb the Cobbler with KYAG, and future plans to climb Ben Nevis; work with Skills Development Scotland to provide an employability skills development programme; the delivery of accredited wider achievement awards to young people; support to the local Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament; and details of regular ongoing projects. The Group gave consideration to the outcome of the Kintyre Youth Action Group 2024 consultation which highlighted the importance of youth voice. The consultation report also provided a breakdown of who had completed the survey, the results of the survey, and the analysis carried out by Kintyre Youth Action Group and the local Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) of the results. The report also highlighted particular areas of interest from the consultation results, including extra support for young people; falling behind with learning; knowing where to go when young people need help; mental health; bullying; social media; life skills and employability; keeping fit and active; social and creative activities; transport; the environment; and vaping. MSYP Alasdair Paisley provided information on his recent work, including collaboration with KYAG in relation to their recent consultation; discussions with local
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Classification: OFFICIAL young people at the recent meeting of the Kintyre and Bute Youth Action Groups; assistance with training newly elected MSYPs; work with the Tarbert Academy Pupil Parliament; and future plans to increase consultation with local schools, fellow MSYPs, and Youth Action Groups. Shopper-Aide provided an update on their work to overcome financial difficulties and source funding. The report included information on local meetings which were held to seek support and suggestions; support provided by local individuals and organisations to assist Shopper-Aide to continue running; planned fundraising activities; successful bids to local and national funding channels; and future plans to tighten up Shopper-Aide’s administration and decrease overall costs. Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust provided information on the progress of their Community Plan 2; the purchase of the old Fishermen’s Co-op in Tarbert; the agreement of large grant criteria; an award made to the Bowling Club for a multi-use games area; and other projects in the local area. The update also provided information on the Tarbert Against Coastal Litter project, in consultation with Loughborough University, which had resulted in 4 beach cleans and 396kg of litter being collected. The Group gave consideration to a report providing the results of a recent survey carried out in relation to meeting arrangements. The report outlined the key points for consideration, based on Partner feedback, and sought suggestions from Partners in relation to how the results of this survey could be utilised to improve future meeting arrangements. The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group agreed meetings would continue to be held on a hybrid basis, at multiple locations throughout the area. The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Rhona Grant, Live Argyll Community Learning Team, in relation to the Argyll and Bute Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategic Partnership Plan for 2024-27. The presentation provided details of the requirements to produce the Plan; the focus of community learning and development on tackling inequality and delivering social justice; methods used to inform the new Plan; the core vision and values of the Plan; the ways in which a collaborative approach would be utilised to target provision to those who need it; and details of the Community Learning and Development Partners involved in progressing the Plan. Oban, Lorn and the Isles (Meeting Papers - LINK) The Group considered the report which highlighted a list of Third Sector Groups and Support Groups contact details, who work within the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area. The Living Well Network Co-Ordinator invited partners to share this list with their service users to enable this information to reach as many people in the communities, as possible.
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Classification: OFFICIAL The Group gave consideration to an update highlighting the improvement works and maintenance undertaken by Transport Scotland within the locality. Catriona Petit advised that Hope Kitchen in partnership with other charities had won the Scottish Power Innovation Award in respect of the Re-Store shop that opened Oban. This is a national award with many other nominees, so it was a wonderful achievement to be recognised. Duncan Martin, Oban Community Council, raised concerns over the increase of severe weather caused by Climate Change specifically flooding. The Committee Manager referred Mr Martin to a report considered by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee in June 2024 that proposed all funding opportunities be explored including lobbying the Scottish Government to seek to secure funding to implement flood prevention works in Oban. Catriona Petit, Hope Kitchen, advised that the Oban Climate Café meets each month in St Johns Church or Hope Kitchen and encouraged all interested Partners to contact her for further details. 4.1 Further Actions It is requested that the Management Committee note the report and the successful meetings held in November 2024. 5.0 Implications Strategic Implications Meetings of the Area Community Planning Group held in May covered various Outcomes. Consultations No prior circulation of this report. Resources No direct resource implications however consideration of the issues raised and following courses of action may have a knock on effect on finance and/or staff resource Prevention Contributes to the prevention agenda Equalities Contributes toward reducing inequalities For More Information: Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, stuart.mclean@argyll-bute.gov.uk