Matters arising from Area Community Planning Groups (Shona Barton)

Argyll and Bute Council · 22 June 2022
Back to Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership - Management Committee — 22 June 2022 and its agenda

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Management Committee 
Date: 22 June 2022 
Agenda Item: 
Area Community Planning Groups – April 2022 Meetings 
1. Purpose 
This paper presents key matters arising during the Area Community Planning
Group meetings that were held virtually in April 2022. 
2. Recommendations 
The Management Committee is asked to: 
a) note the Highlights detailed at section 4 of the report; and 
b) note the position with relation to the various Vice-Chair roles as outlined at
section 4.1. 
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). 
The meetings this time were brought forward to April to allow them to take place prior
to the Local Government Elections which were held on 5th May 2022.  All meetings
were held on a virtual basis using Microsoft Teams.  Prior to the meetings discussion
took place with the Area Chairs and Vice Chairs and a standard agenda template
was agreed.  There was good attendance at all 4 meetings by a variety of partners. 
4.     Highlights 
All groups considered:
. 
 CPP Management Committee Update
 Climate Change

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Minutes from the latest meeting of the Climate Change Working Group were
provided as a basis for discussion. 
Highlights from specific meetings were as follows: 
Bute & Cowal 
The Group appointed Alastair Moodie (Lochgoil Community Council) as Vice-Chair. 
A number of partner updates were provided with lots of useful information being
shared. 
The Community Focus item came from PC Laura Evans who provided a
presentation on the work of Police Scotland to highlight and reduce incidents of
fraud.  She spoke about the increase in the incidences of fraud since the beginning
of the Pandemic and highlighted the impact that being a victim of fraud can have. 
PC Evans encouraged people to sign up to Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and to
complete the free training which is available. 
Reeni Kennedy-Boyle from Fyne Futures spoke about their work as lead member of
the Employability Partnership advising that they hoped to strengthen partnership
working with the Community Learning Service to ensure all partners were working
effectively together.  She also provided information in relation to work with Inspiralba
on a successful project for school leavers and those up to 24 years of age. 
Ann Campbell provided information on the food growing partnership which was being
taken forward by Dunoon Community Development Trust in conjunction with Kirn
Primary School.  Ann also updated on the Dunoon Bothy project where e-bikes
would be available for community members to test. 
Discussion also took place on the implementation of electric vehicle charging points
and the barriers around this with it being agreed that this would be discussed at a
future meeting with appropriate officers invited to attend. 
Helensburgh & Lomond 
The Group heard a number of interesting updates from partners.  Rhona Grant, Live
Argyll – Community Learning Service, provided an update on behalf of Thomas Guy-
Conroy on the progress of the partnership working to address youth anti-social
behaviour issues which had been discussed at the previous meeting of the Group.
She confirmed that a meeting had taken place between relevant partners to discuss
events and safe places for young people to attend. Rhona provided examples of
potential events including a Thursday night disco, and a midnight football league.
She noted that there were costs associated with hosting events such as these,

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consequently funding sources would have to be identified. She advised that the
partners were currently focusing on engaging with young people to build
relationships and identify their priorities.  A number of partners in attendance
expressed an interest in becoming involved in the various initiatives which will be
progressed. 
Information was provided on the work to ensure that the area was ready for the
forthcoming tourist season with it being noted that Friends of Loch Lomond and the
Trossachs had been successful in securing alternative funding for the Two Lochs
project which will ensure the provision of temporary toilet facilities and the
employment of seasonal wardens. 
Jayne Burnett from Visiting Friends provided some details on the service that they
provide with it being noted that they were happy to get referrals for new members
and were continually looking for volunteers.  Updates were provided in relation to the
work being carried out by Time for Change Argyll and Bute and Plastic Free
Helensburgh and there was some information provided on initiatives being
undertaken by Helensburgh Community Council and Fun First. 
The Community Focus item was provided by Chris Casey, Scottish Fire and Rescue
Service where he gave a presentation on the partnership approach to water safety. 
The presentation provided an overview of the multi-agency approach to water safety
which included raising water safety awareness; delivering preventative measures;
identifying and addressing water safety risks in the area; and reviewing incidents and
making interventions to prevent the reoccurrence of similar events. The presentation
also provided information in relation to water fatalities statistics; an overview of
Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy; the aims of the Partnership Approach to
Water Safety (PAWS) group; the actions arising from the work of the PAWS group;
and the requirements of the partners involved in the PAWS group. 
Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 
The meeting was well attended with a number of updates from partners.  
Neil MacFarlane from Transport Scotland provided an update on the current works
being undertaken and updated on issues that were highlighted at the previous
meeting.  A meeting was scheduled for later in the day to discuss the issues at
Burnbank Street in Campbeltown. 
Sergeant Shaw, Police Scotland provided the update for this meeting and noted that
he had fed back on issues highlighted previously.  Concerns around parking in
Campbeltown were raised and Sergeant Shaw agreed to raise this with the local
Inspector.  He also advised that additional actions and patrols were being put in
place to target youth anti-social behaviour in the area with Brian Smith from the

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Community Learning Team advising that he would be keen to work with Police
Scotland to look at ways to combat this. 
Brian Smith advised that a new local youth worker would be starting in post in May
and noted the work ongoing around youth engagement and the planned Scottish
Youth Parliament roadshow event to investigate local youth issues across the area.   
The Group considered an update from Jen Broadhurst, Argyll and Bute Citizens
Advice Bureau (CAB). The update highlighted an increased number of queries to the
service, with a particular rise in queries relating to the increasing cost of living and
debt, specifically energy debt. It was noted that this had resulted in additional funding
being obtained for the employment of a part-time energy debt specialist to increase
the debt support provided. 
Valerie Nimmo from Campbeltown Community Council advised that the
Campbeltown Community Action Plan had now been completed.  She also advised
that new inclusive play equipment would be installed in the Jock’s Adventure
Playground and that a Jubilee Tea was being organised for elderly people in
Campbeltown. 
The Community Focus item was a presentation by PC Laura Evans, Police Scotland.
The presentation provided an overview of the work being undertaken by Police
Scotland to highlight and reduce incidents of fraud. Background information was
provided around fraud and the increase in incidences of fraud since the beginning of
the Covid-19 pandemic. PC Evans also highlighted the impact that being a victim of
fraud could have on individuals, and emphasised that anyone could be a victim of
fraud. 
The Group considered a presentation by Lynda Mitchell, ALIEnergy, in relation to the
ALIEnergy Affordable Warmth Service. The presentation provided background
information in relation to ALIEnergy, their aims, their staff, and the geographic area
covered by the Affordable Warmth Advice Service.  The presentation also provided
statistical information in relation to fuel poverty across Scotland; a breakdown of the
percentages of people suffering from fuel poverty by local authority region; examples
of fuel poverty in everyday life; examples of how the energy advice process could
assist people to access support; and contact details for the Affordable Warmth
Team. Further information was provided around how ALIEnergy were able to
measure the impact of the support provided to clients, both new and existing. Recent
examples were also provided of how ALIEnergy had been able to assist clients in
accessing support through various funds. The presentation also included information
around ALIEnergy’s social media channels, as well as contacts details for referrals or
client enquiries.

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The Group considered a verbal update from Don McKillop, Caledonian MacBrayne
(CalMac). He provided an update on the commencement of the summer timetable
following a difficult winter period as a result of bad weather and technical challenges
with the fleet across the network. He also noted that there had been a challenging
dry dock period, with extended durations for many vessels. 
The Group considered the appointment of a Vice-Chair following the resignation of
the previous appointee.  Unfortunately there were no nominations received for the
position and it was agreed to carry the item forward to the next meeting. 
Oban, Lorn and the Isles
The Group considered a number of updates from partners in attendance. 
The Group considered an update from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP),
which included statistical information on clients receiving Universal Credit and other
benefits across the Argyll and Bute area, as well as information on various initiatives
that the DWP were involved in. 
Consideration was given to a report which provided information on the ongoing work
in relation to the Gypsy Travellers Carers Project, which included details on
additional funding secured for a number of projects; the development of an action
plan to improve the lives of Gypsy/Travellers; the ongoing work of MECOPP to
support the community to voice their views for accommodation that is of good quality
and is culturally appropriate. 
Verbal updates were also provided by Crossroads, North Argyll, Hope Kitchen, Argyll
TSI and Argyll College. 
The Community Focus item came from a presentation by PC Laura Evans, Police
Scotland. The presentation provided an overview of the work being undertaken by
Police Scotland to highlight and reduce incidents of fraud. Background information
was provided around fraud and the increase in incidences of fraud since the
beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. PC Evans also highlighted the impact that
being a victim of fraud could have on individuals, and emphasised that anyone could
be a victim of fraud. 
The Group also considered an update on the progress being made in relation to
Oban Bay. 
The Graduate Staycation Officer, Nathan Gallogley introduced himself to the group
and advised that he had recently taken up this position with Argyll and Bute Council.
Mr Gallogley provided a short verbal update on the tourism infrastructure within the
Oban, Lorn and the Isles area which included information on Environmental

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Wardens; waste disposal tanks; the deployment of portaloos; the Ulva ferry on Mull
and the support for the new carpark in Tobermory.     
4.1 Appointment of Vice-Chair 
We are pleased to note that the position of Vice Chair on the Bute and Cowal Group
has been filled with Alastair Moodie of Lochgoil Community Council taking on the
role.  There still remains a vacancy for a Vice-Chair position in MAKI this will be
subject of a report to the next meeting. 
4.2 Further Actions 
It is requested that the Management Committee note the report and the successful
meetings held in April 2022. 
5.0     Implications 
Strategic Implications Meetings of the Area Community Planning Group held
in April 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: 
Shona Barton, Committee Manager, shona.barton@argyll-bute.gov.uk