Agenda reports pack
Argyll and Bute Council · 22 June 2022
Back to Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership - Management Committee — 22 June 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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15 June 2022 NOTICE OF MEETING A meeting of the ARGYLL AND BUTE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE will be held in the ONLINE VIA MS TEAMS on WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE 2022 at 10:00 AM which you are requested to attend. BUSINESS 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES (CHAIR) 2. APPROVAL OF LAST MINUTES AND REVIEW OF ACTIONS (RONA GOLD) (Pages 3 - 20) 3. MATTERS ARISING FROM AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUPS (SHONA BARTON) (Pages 21 - 26) (a) Shaping Places for Wellbeing (Rona Gold and Alex Wilde) 4. CROSS CUTTING THEMES (a) Climate Change (Stan Philips) (b) Child Poverty (Mandy Sheridan) (Pages 27 - 36) (c) Financial Inclusion (Fergus Walker) (d) Community Wealth Building (Takki Sulaiman, Fergus Murray and Morag Goodfellow) (e) Digital Communities (Nicola Hackett and Melissa Dundas) (f) Building Back Better (Communities) (Rona Gold and Ann Loughrey) 5. OUTCOME 6 - COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP END OF YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS (LAURA EVANS) (Pages 37 - 40) 6. UPCOMING CPP WORK (a) Annual Report (Pippa Milne and Rona Gold) (b) Working towards a revision of the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (Pippa Milne and Rona Gold) Public Document Pack
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7. UPDATE BY MEMBERS OF THE SCOTTISH YOUTH PARLIAMENT (CHLOE MEIKLE, RYAN MACINTYRE AND BAILEIGH MCINTYRE) 8. LEVELLING UP FUND OVERVIEW (FERGUS MURRAY) 9. OUTCOME 1 AND 2 - PROGRESS ON ARGYLL AND BUTE EMPLOYABILITY PARTNERSHIP (ISHABEL BREMNER) (Pages 41 - 44) 10. AOCB (CHAIR) (a) Scottish Government Place Directors (Rona Gold) (Pages 45 - 50) (b) Scottish Ambulance Service 2030 Strategy (Rona Gold) (c) SFRS Strategic Plan Consultation (Chair) 11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING AND CLOSE (CHAIR) The next CPP Management Committee meeting will be on 28th September 2022 at 1000. (a) Feedback on Digital Meeting Platform for CPP (Ian Brodie)
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Minutes of the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Management Committee held via MS Teams on Wednesday 16th March 2022 at 1000 Present: Joe McKay, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Chair) Pippa Milne, Argyll and Bute Council Takki Sulaiman, Argyll and Bute TSI Rona Gold, Argyll and Bute Council Fiona Davies, HSCP Martin Jones, University of Highlands and Islands Morag Goodfellow, Highland and Island Enterprise Charles Dixon-Spain, Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group Kirsty Flanagan, Argyll and Bute Council Shona Barton, Argyll and Bute Council Stan Philips, NatureScot Laura Evans, Police Scotland Nicola Hackett, Live Argyll Fergus Murray, Argyll and Bute Council Laura Evans, Police Scotland David Gibson, HSCP Iain MacInnes, Argyll and Bute Council Ian Brodie, Mid Argyll and the Isles Area Community Planning Group Brian Smith, Live Argyll Ryan MacIntyre, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament Chloe Meikle, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament Baileigh McIntyre, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament Teresa Correia, Scottish Enterprise Lorna Byrne, Argyll and Bute Council Ishabel Bremner, Argyll and Bute Council Andrew Galloway, Helensburgh Advertiser Caroline Swain, Argyll and Bute Council Kevin Champion, Oban Lorn and Isles Area Community Planning Group Nicola Reaney, Argyll and Bute Council (Secretary) Apologies Robin Currie, Argyll and Bute Council Derek McCrindle, Scottish Enterprise Stuart Green, Argyll and Bute Council Anthony Standing, SDS Murray McEwan, Scottish Ambulance Service Fergus Walker, Argyll and Bute Council Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, Police Scotland 1. Welcome and Apologies Joe welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologies were noted. Joe gave a special welcome to the new members of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Argyll and Bute who were in attendance, saying it was a fantastic achievement to be voted into that role and he looked forward to their inputs to the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee (CPP MC). Joe asked if anyone has any feedback on how we can make the CPP MC meetings work best for everyone and any thoughts on this to share with the team by contacting cppadmin@argyll-bute.gov.uk. 2. Approval of last minutes and review of actions Page 3 Agenda Item 2
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The minutes of the December meeting were approved as an accurate recording of that meeting. Rona gave an update on outstanding actions as follows: - Production of video on Community Planning. Shona noted this has not progressed due to demands of ongoing work for the upcoming election in May. Rona added that they are keen to put this video together to explain Community Planning and the roles of Area Community Planning Groups (ACPG). Action is to be carried forward to June Meeting. - Renewed perspective for partners on plans and alignment to Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP). Pippa had asked partners to think about their own organisation plans, goals and aspirations can be aligned to the ABOIP, any thoughts on this can be forwarded to Pippa. In the summer, once recruitment to the CPP team has been completed, they will look to contact partners to have conversations on how to improve the new 10 year ABOIP. - Scamming and community pledges. Ideas from all partners on how to support the prevention of fraud and scamming in Argyll and Bute can be sent to Laura.Evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk or cppadmin@argyll-bute.gov.uk. 3. Introduction to New Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) Joe was delighted to welcome Chloe Meikle from Helensburgh & Lomond Youth Forum, Ryan MacIntyre from Dunoon Grammar and Baileigh McIntyre from Rothesay Academy to the CPP MC as our new Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament. He encouraged their questions and input and how to best shape the CPP MC going forward to include what is important to them as young members of the Argyll and Bute community. An introductory video from Chloe and Baileigh was shown to the meeting where they shared their passions and areas of interest. Ryan then gave a verbal update to the meeting and noted that he sits on the Rural Affairs and Transport Committee in the Youth Parliament, is passionate about mental health and access to confidential services for young people and is also raising issues on the SQA with the Education Minister. Brian thanked all the MSYPs for their commitment over the next 3 years to support young people’s voices in Argyll and Bute. Rona welcomed the MSYPS and also asked those in the meeting to give a short introduction to themselves before speaking for the benefit of the MSYPS and other new attendees to the meeting. Pippa also welcomed the MSYPs and highlighted the crossover of priority areas with those they highlighted of mental health, transport and poverty. Pippa invited the MSYPs to meet with her to get their input on those key issues and how to ensure their voices are heard within the CPP and wider Council. Pippa also asked if they would consider joining her for one of her podcast editions. Page 4
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Shona is keen to get the MSYPs along to Area Community Planning Groups August meetings. Fiona would like to meet the MSYPs to talk more about their interest in mental health and the views and experiences of young people locally and how they can work together to improve access to, and support for, mental health of young people. Joe also expressed interest in meeting separately with the MSYPs on key issues for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) 4. Matters Arising from Area Community Planning Groups (ACPGs) Shona provided an update on the four area meetings that were held in February. They were all held virtually via MS teams and there was a positive attendance at all meetings as the virtual meeting seems to be improving attendance numbers. There was lots of constructive partnership discussion and working across all the areas. Shona noted that Helensburgh and Lomond ACPG appointed David Moore (SFRS) was appointed as Chair and Sephton MacQuire (Dunbritton Housing Association) was appointed as Vice-Chair. The next meetings have been brought forward to April to accommodate the date of the council elections on 5 May. Shona advised that all the ACPGs have provided updated attendance and membership lists. Joe noted the resignation of Willie Lynch from the Chair position of Bute and Cowal ACPG. He thanked Willie, on behalf of the CPP, for his dedication and support over the past 7 years to Community Planning. Willie was involved in the work of the improvement plan that came out of our last review, and that involved creating the CPP Welcome Pack. Joe said his resignation was a sad loss to the CPP. Remaining vacancies for Vice Chairs were highlighted in Bute and Cowal and Mid- Argyll, Kintyre and the Isles ACPGs. Shona hoped that once the video is completed promoting the CPP and the ACPGs that it may increase interest in these posts in the community. Joe encouraged all partners to promote these roles within their organisations to get involved in community matters. 5. Cross Cutting Themes (a) Climate Change Stan spoke about the Intergovernmental Report on Climate Change that was issued on 28 February, which reports that the situation on the climate is much worse than previously thought. The report notes the need to go much further and faster on climate change and the Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) is working with Adaptation Scotland and other council areas to see what they are doing to address this. DATS Highland are attending the CCWG this week and it will be interesting to hear how they have set up and the issues they are facing as they are in a similar geographical area to Argyll and Bute. The CCWG have identified the need to employ an officer to workup the plans for adaptation, Page 5
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mitigation and engagement. The cost of this is approx. £60k per year. There has already been pledges from 3 partner organisations to support the funding for that post, however, Stan asked all partners to look if they can provide funding to take that forward in the next financial year, and beyond. The group are also exploring possible Climate Change funding streams from Government and other sources to further support that. The group will also be starting work on creating a clear project proposal, terms of reference and governance arrangements that partners can buy in to. Joe advised that there may be some funding available from the SFRS. Action - Partners to identify if they have any funding available to support work of a Climate Change Officer and advise Stan accordingly at stan.phillips@nature.scot Stan said Climate Change affects us all, and all partner organisations, in the area from things like increased risk of wildfires, risk to coastal infrastructure and the effect on roads/hauliers, sea level rises, fuel cost rises etc. Argyll and Bute businesses need to plan now on how to transform into a carbon natural net zero business. Pippa noted the already significant impact of climate change in the area with the issues on the Rest and be Thankful and a road washout on Bute having had a £1m impact on the Council capital budget, and it is important that urgent transformational change is required and continued support to the CCWG in any way possible. Pippa also pointed partners to the current consultation on the route map co-developed by the Scottish Government and COSLA on the joint ambition to a 20 per cent reduction in car kilometres by 2030. Rona said action on climate change can feel overwhelming, however, small steps and actions do build up. Examples of existing work on climate change across our communities can be found at the CPP Climate Change website. Joe noted that every fire station across Argyll and Bute has an Environmental Champion to look at reducing the carbon footprint of all stations, the SFRS now have 7 electric response cars and are looking to install electric vehicle charging points in all stations. Action - Any climate activities that partners want highlighted on the CPP Climate Change webpage can be forwarded to cppadmin@argyll- bute.gov.uk Stan gave thanks for the support given by the CPP team to the Climate Change group. (b) Child Poverty Fiona was delighted to update that the Child Poverty Working Group (CPWG) now has part time project assistant in place (started November 2021) and their Page 6
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work will concentrate on data and engagement. The wider anti-poverty strategy reaches its conclusion in 2022 and there will need to be discussion in the upcoming months to decide what we want to do in Argyll and Bute to ensure how the Child Poverty Group sits in the wider need of work to address poverty across all local communities. Fiona provided an update on: (i) The Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund - had supported 871 households to end December 2021 (30% of these are single parents with children). The fund has demonstrated real individual benefit for those accessing it. (ii) Poverty awareness training - Training programme is rolling out and the feedback, and take up, has been excellent. There is hope to deliver refresher/follow up sessions in 2023. They have also been requested to roll the training out to Councillors after the May elections. Work is ongoing to deliver a module on the development and scope of children’s rights in Scotland which will be available soon hopefully. (iii) Money matters training - Developed by Jen Dryden for Argyll and Bute was delivered over the winter/spring period (mainly attended by HSCP staff). (iv) Money Worries Leaflet - The leaflet has been widely circulated through existing group networks, media platforms, the Food Forum and a copy has been sent out in every council tax bill. This is especially timely given the current cost of living crisis. (v) School clothing - There has been a huge amount of activity on school clothing banks by Fergus Walker, with very positive work going on in Dunoon, Campbeltown and Lochgilphead and intention to have further engagement with the schools and parent councils before a launch in June. It is hoped to expand the banks to Kintyre and Mid-Argyll by the end of the summer and to Oban area by December. 1063 children have been issued with school clothing grants up to February 2022. Ryan asked what is being done to reduce the cost of school uniforms. Fiona stated that school clothing banks will allow access to uniform no longer required, but there is no work underway to tackle the cost of new uniforms and she would take that back to the CPWG. Lorna added that there is some funding available and if there is a need that can be made available on a case by case basis. Kevin added that Oban High School have a bank of clothing available that can be provided confidentially to support families. Rona advised the current Money leaflet had been issued to groups and via the CPP Bulletin and asked if there was an updated version of the leaflet that could be circulated? Lorna said Bute Advice Centre are doing an updated leaflet that will be circulated once completed. Action - cppadmin to circulate updated Money Worries leaflet when available. Page 7
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(c) Financial Inclusion Lorna noted that applications to the Welfare Fund continued to be high to 28 February 2022. There have been 1289 crisis grant applications and 812 applications for community care grants. There is projected to be an overspend of the available funds but to continue support to vulnerable households they are looking to take from other available funding to support that. The Council continues to administer the £500 self-solation support grants. Further to Fiona’s update on the Flexible Food Fund, Lorna added that up to end January 2022 Bute Advice and AliEnergy have supported 927 households with a client gain of £1.15m and increasing (this is the amount of benefits and grants that households are entitled to but not claiming, and that the service have supported them to access). Lorna stated that disability benefits (DLA, PIP etc) and Universal Credit are the most under claimed benefits. Lorna invited the MSYPs to contact her or Fergus Walker if they wanted to get involved with the work on school clothing or any other matters. Their contact emails are lorne.byrne@argyll-bute.gov.uk and fergus.walker@argyll- bute.gov.uk. (d) Community Wealth Building (CWB) Takki gave a brief update and explained that the goal of CWB is to make local financial power work for localities, keep wealth generated locally in the area and to support local businesses and 3rd sector enterprises to be sustainable, in a fair and just manner. In December they set out the 5 next steps, and part of that ongoing journey includes the policy mapping that is still being produced of activity across Argyll and Bute. That needs to be analysed to support the development stage and then the proposals will be brought back to the CPP MC in the next quarter. Takki and Rona are discussing how the New Building Back Better worker post can help on providing baseline data on CWB synergy with post-Covid recovery work. Takki pointed to how the HSCP Strategic Planning Group and its partners have noted their commitment to CWB to co-produce workflow committees to increase the capacity of local groups to bid. They state “Community Co- Production - We will work with communities, providers and advocacy bodies to set a vision for their community and co-produce community based services to support people with options and choice. Where possible we will commission services locally and capacity build providers and third sector partners in line with the five pillars of Community Wealth Building. We will ensure that we have an inequalities sensitive practice, targeting resources where they have most impact.” Takki felt it was good to see this commitment to CWB and local delivery and to see other partners increasing mentions and connections to CWB. Page 8
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Theresa advised that Ayrshire have just commissioned a new regional economic strategy that has the principles of CWN built in to that strategy. She is happy to share any information and work progresses on that. Takki welcomed that and noted a previous presentation to the CPP MC by Ayrshire Council. Takki said the challenge of CWB is how to make it relevant to Argyll and Bute and how it connects to existing strategies to add value and identify gaps. There lots of overlaps with CWB and existing work. Morag agreed and said that there are many elements on CWB that are already being done well in Argyll and Bute such as community ownership on Gigha. Stan asked if the work on capacity building in communities covers the transition to a net zero economy, or is there a need for CWB to engage with the climate group project work. Takki said this had not been addressed yet as at they are still at a very early stage but that it could be promoted as one of the principles. Morag noted that the transition to net zero is a key part of the HIE strategy and they are already working through a “net zero ladder” with client groups and supporting access to funding for community assets to install energy savings measures. (e) Digital Communities Nicola Hackett (NH) advised that the first meeting of the group has taken place with representatives from LiveArgyll, Community Development Team, Education Service, Health Improvement Team, HSCP, Argyll College, University of the Highlands and Islands and the 3rd sector - but this group can be expanded further as need arises. A draft Terms of Reference has been developed and once approved that will be shared with the CPP MC. The main aspects being looked at are the accessibility to digital devices, support for learners in communities to utilise devices effectively and work around digital infrastructure. On accessibility, Nicola noted that major work will be happening in the coming months through access to Scottish Government funding to take forward community learning activity across Argyll and Bute. They are working with the TSI to identify areas of work with partners, and to identify key stakeholders to engage with, to undertake a scoping exercise around Community Learning and Development (CLD) to map resources, take forward an action plan and look for additional funding sources to take forward the action plan. CLD are working in partnership on digital development with Skills Development Scotland, Department for Work and Pensions, LiveArgyll and Argyll College around employability and provision of CLD hubs in main towns, and how to develop hubs across islands were there is no current provision. There is already a hub in Lochgilphead. Once all partners have committed to provide support for this an advertising campaign will start in April on available Page 9
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digital development support to learners. They are also looking at how to tie in to existing volunteer framework to help people utilise devices effectively. Nicola H and Iain M are also working on an awareness raising campaign on digital infrastructure for broadband access to reach those that need it the most. SpaceEx and OneWeb UK are also being looked at as potential solutions to providing internet access in rural areas although current costs for this are prohibitive. Ian Brodie asked if there are plans to provide internet access to rural village halls. Iain MacInnes advised that village halls are not funded by the Council, and the cost to install lines to some properties without existing lines may incur considerable construction costs. They are looking at the UK Gigahub programme (UK wide £1100m programme to develop digital hubs) to identify best way forward solutions. Action – Nicola Hackett and Iain MacInnes to provide an update on progress and funding streams for digital development to the June CPP MC. Ryan noted an existing technology collection point is run in Dunoon to distribute refurbished tech to the elderly across Cowal. Stan was keen to see if that initiative could be rolled out across Argyll and Bute. NH said there had been work with Inspiralba to collect and reallocate used digital devices that can be looked at to see if that can be built upon to support access to digital devices. Rona noted that the digital workstream is an important area of focus for the CPP MC as keeping up with technology is vital to access benefits and the job market. (f) Building Back Better Building Back Better Worker - Rona advised that recruitment had completed for this post starting in April 2022 (2 days a week for 18 months) to build on the community engagement initiative started in 2020 to identify the impact of the pandemic on communities. The new post will look at creating guidance for community groups, build on community contacts and engage with and support communities and community groups. Scam and Fraud Prevention Project - Laura noted how instances of fraud increased dramatically during the pandemic and the biggest increase is now in social engineering frauds, where fraudsters pretend to be someone else to get money (by telephone, social media etc). She also expected to see a rise in bogus caller doorstep fraud as we move into spring. Laura thanked the CPP MC for supporting funding to purchase 150 call blocking devices (129 of which have already been installed for vulnerable residents by the Police and Trading Standards). Laura has engaged with Alzheimers Scotland Dementia Workers to train them how to install the devices for those they already support and is talking to SFRS to see if devices could be installed as part of home fire safety checks. The devices are very simple to install and the total project Page 10
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benefit is calculated to be £1.5m - this amount includes value of potential frauds stopped, wellbeing affect and cost saving to involvement of social care/police for fraud victims - from an initial £15k investment. Laura welcomed any funding support that could be provided from partners to purchase more devices for installation. Hard copy leaflets with fraud prevention advice have been provided to dementia advisors, and will be provided to SFRS, to distribute to vulnerable people. Laura has been visiting local hubs (Dunoon Seniors, Strachur Hub, HL ACPG and Jeans Bothy) to raise fraud awareness and prevention. These events are also being used to identify who may benefit from installation of a call blocking device. Laura said she was keen to link up with Ryan regarding the Cowal Digital refurbishing project to see how they could work together to distribute fraud awareness leaflets with devices. Fergus added that it would also be good to get “cyber aware” stickers on the devices too. Action - Any volunteers to assist with the installation of call blocking devices can contact Laura at Laura.Evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk Action - Partners that are able to offer funding to support purchase of future call blocking devices to contact rona.gold@argyll-bute.gov.uk 6. Outcome 1 (a) Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership (ABEP) Ishabel last spoke to the September 2021 CPP MC where the action plan for the ABEP was endorsed. The Argyll and Bute Economic Growth team (Employability Service) act as the accountable body for the ABEP and they commissioned an external consultancy to review take that action plan and that is expected to conclude by end March 2022. In parallel to the work on action plan, there has been input to the Argyll and Bute Economic Delivery Plan. Ishabel has the draft report from the consultants and that initial delivery plan will be presented to the ABEP meeting on 23 March 22. The document covers the period 2022 - 2025 but they are unable to finalise that until they know the resources that will be allocated for 2022/23 from the Scottish Government. In order to advance the delivery plan, it will need to be endorsed and signalised beefier the next CPP MC meeting in 22 June 2022. Ishabel made the recommendation that the CPP MC agree to delegate authority to endorse the ABEP Delivery Plan to Anthony Standing as, although he is the lead for Outcome 3, there is a predominant education and training element in the plan as well as matters covered under Outcome 1 (the economy is diverse and thriving). Anthony had given his agreement to take on the delegated authority prior to the meeting and it was also agreed that Kirsty Page 11
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Flanagan would act as the accountable body for the partnership to enable the plan to be endorsed before June 2022. This was approved by the CPP MC Action - Ishabel to return to June CPP MC with a more detailed paper on the progress of the ABEP. Ishabel outlined that the Delivery Plan includes aspects such as interventions from Scottish Government (including Young Persons Guarantee, recruitment incentives, parental responsibilities and long term unemployed), the structure of the partnership, governance structure, how the partnership performs and setting up of a strategic group to commission and procure work across Argyll and Bute. (b) Recruitment Retention Working Group update Morag advised that due to resource pressures in HIE and SDS, the group had not met since December, however, they have found resource to look at mapping existing activities around recruitment and sharing best practice which they hope to report on more formally to the June CPP MC. The Settlement Project Support Officer, Natalia Jejer, will start with the Council Economic Growth Team on 4th April 2022. This post is funded by HIE. Morag looked forward to her being in post and starting the engagement with those looking to move here to take up employment and find housing and to gather intelligence to build on activities to take forward in the future. (c) Strategic Transportation Projects Review 2 (STPR 2) Fergus Murray provided an update on the STPR2 which will determine transport investment decisions in Scotland for the next 20 years. This follows the STPR1 where Fergus was the chair of the response for the Argyll and Bute region (a key commitment then was the upgrade of the A82 north of Tarbet which has still not happened and is at the design stage). Fergus expressed disappointment in the direction of travel of STPR2 given the importance of transport connectivity to the people of Argyll and Bute. He stressed that every effort had been made to emphasise that in the consultation, but what came back is disappointing from a rural perspective. 4000 ideas were input nationally to STPR2 and 40 are being voted on for priority. The Council had been given assurance from a Scottish Government Minister that strategic transport needs would be considered within STPR2, rather than in the Rural Growth Deal (RGD). £65M has had to be taken out of the RGD to improve the area transport network. Specific targets of the STPR2 for Argyll and Bute include a fixed link to Mull from Oban. A fixed link would impact the current ferry port investment in Oban and there are questions on how this will impact ferry connectivity. The Rest and Be Thankful has been acknowledged in the STPR2 as being strategic, but as the Council thought this was already being considered there is confusion why it has also been included in the STPR2, especially when there is no plans in STPR2 for other important trunk route upgrades (A82, A85 and A83). Fergus has asked for that to be redressed in the documentation going forward. A new Page 12
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Islands Connectivity Plan is to come from Scottish Government, but that has also been excluded from STPR2 - this further highlights the urgency of having transport resources in place to action what rural communities want and need. STPR2 has an emphasis on increasing active travel, which is welcome but the centralised funding and urban-centric approach still does not address challenges in rural areas such as rural bus needs, pressure on costs, route subsidies etc. There is no value in free bus travel if there are no buses to get on. STPR2 focuses almost exclusively on national transport yet excludes local roads and council owned assets such as ferries and airports, although there has been a separate consultation on aviation strategy. STPR2 also fails to recognise: (i) How the rural economy provides a great deal to the national economy via tourism, capital value, whisky, aquaculture etc. STPR focusses on population size rather than economic , (ii) How Argyll and Bute connect to the central belt which could accelerate population drift to urban areas from rural communities, (iii) Adaptations for climate change impacts, (iv) Impacts of car reduction in rural communities when that is often the only option available, (v) How Local Authorities can delivery on the STPR 2 agenda without government support All these points have been addressed in a response to the Scottish Government as it is important to raise issues that impact our rural communities as this is a 20 year plan. Pippa further emphasised the points raised by Fergus and encouraged all partners to make their views clear by responding to the consultation in the time that is still available before it closes on 15 April 2022. Takki added how in the TSI response to the consultation on the National Care Service they highlighted the need to attract a workforce to the area, but if transportation is poor that will not happen. He also felt there had been no recognition in STPR2 of how work has changed due to Covid. Ian Brodie asked if the council has asked local communities what they were looking for regarding future transport and if Fergus had been invited to view any updated Local Development Plans? Fergus advised communities had been invited to respond to the consultation and any further relevant information could be sent to his team to review. Ian Brodie also asked about the Councils plans to install more EV charging points across the area. Fergus advised that a paper on the Councils EV Charging Strategy had been sent to the December Environment, Development and Infrastructure committee. Further information on this can be provided by Mark Calder at mark.calder@argyll-bute.gov.uk 7. Outcome 4 - Corporate Parenting Board Page 13
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David provided an updated on the Corporate Parenting Board in his report for the CPP MC and advised that Councillor Mary-Jean Devon was standing down as Chair. David recognised the service of Councillor Devon on the board and thanked her for her service and wished her all the best in the future. David noted that a new Chair needs to be identified, this does not need to be an elected member, and suggested that the task to find a new chair can be remitted to the Argyll and Bute Children’s Strategic Group. A new chair would need to be identified by May. Joe thought it would be prudent to allow members of the CPP MC time to consider if they have any volunteers but agreed that, as the role sits more likely within HSPC, the Children’s Strategic Group should look at that then report back to the CPP MC. Pippa took the opportunity to thank the team working in this area with young people who have been doing fantastic work during Covid. She felt lucky to be part of the Corporate Parenting Board and has been impressed with what the new team members are doing to include the input of young people. The work is going from strength to strength. David extended an open invitation to meet with the MSYPs so they can ask him any questions and he can learn from their input. 8. Papers for noting Rona highlighted the papers sent for noting on the National Community Planning Resources and the Our Place Website that may be of interest to partners. Partners can feel free to share those papers with colleagues and any other interested parties to access resources to understand Community Planning in Scotland and resources to put action plans together at all levels. 9. AOCB (a) Shaping Places for Wellbeing Programme Rona was delighted to report that Dunoon had been selected as one of four case study areas for the Shaping Places for Wellbeing programme. The case study will trial an approach over the next 3 years linking with Improvement Service in Scotland and Public Health Scotland. Funding for the programme will employ 2 posts to work on this with a steering group of partners. The work will start in 2 months once these posts are in place. Most of the reporting from the steering group will go to Bute and Cowal ACPG and that will look at health inequalities, and how to reduce health inequalities, in Dunoon. Action - If any partners have any information relating Shaping Places in Dunoon that can be shared with rona.gold@argyll-bute.gov.uk Page 14
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Laura noted that she would like to be involved in that as she is Dunoon based and can also link in with the Policing side to help with health inequalities in terms of vulnerable adults and children. (b) Consultation on Proposed Education Leadership Reform Morag noted that the assumptions that underline the proposed new model in the proposed Education Leadership reform are based on cost neutral proposal given the assumption of a continuing decline in school rolls. Morag asked how that fitted with the ABOIP and its plans for population growth. Pippa advised that cost was not a driver for the proposal, one of the key drivers for this issue was around the recruitment and retention of leadership roles and leadership capacity. While it has been challenging to try and grow population over the last decade, school roles are still falling, balance needed to be found between what we want to achieve and what is actually happening. (c) Ukraine Kevin asked what was being done from a strategic perspective on providing refuge for those fleeing Ukraine. Pippa advised that as a fast moving and emerging situation, there is still a lot of detail needed and the Council are liaising with the Scottish Government and COSLA on this. Morag Brown is leading on this. Morag is experienced in what we have done before to make the required links and the Council is aware that there is an ongoing interest on this and Morag has been updating information on the Council website for those who want to provide help. Pippa confirmed the Council is doing its best to take and support whoever we can as soon as that is a practical reality. Kevin thanked Pippa for her response. (d) Planning Applications for Battery Storage Ian Brodie asked what the council views were on planning applications for battery storage facilities in Carradale. Fergus advised that the current application was currently on the system as a pre-planning assessment, but would be determined by the PPSL Committee when it comes before them. There was a debate on the scale of the planned development and a decision needed to be made to determine if it comes under Council or Government for approval due to the new technology involved. A formal planning application has not yet been made so Fergus was unable to comment until it has been looked at in its entirety and a decision has been reached by the Committee. He added that energy efficiency is an item that the Council needs to be looking at and there will likely be applications in future months for pump storage, windfarms and battery storage. This is a significant issue for the people in Argyll and Bute to discuss and planning will be looking at all those things. 10. Date of next meeting and Close Page 15
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The next CPP MC will be at 1000 on Wednesday 22 June 2022. Joe thanked everyone for their time and input to an information packed morning. He gave special thanks to the MSYPS for their involvement at the meeting. Page 16
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CPP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING ACTION GRID – from 16th March 2022 Complete In Progress Outstanding Please highlight actions as per traffic light system to show progress Date Set Action Who Required by Date 8/12/21 Shona to begin preparations for a short video with interviews and feedback from current and past Chairs. Shona 16 March 2022 8/12/21 Partners to start to think about their plans from a renewed perspective and on how plans can be aligned to the ABOIP. All 8 March 2022 8/12/21 Scamming and community pledges. Ideas from all partners on how to support the prevention of fraud and scamming in Argyll and Bute can be sent to Laura.Evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk or cppadmin@argyll-bute.gov.uk All 8 March 2022 16/3/22 Partners to identify if they have any funding available to support work of a Climate Change Officer and advise Stan accordingly at stan.phillips@nature.scot All 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Any climate activities that partners want highlighted on the CPP Climate Change webpage can be forwarded to cppadmin@argyll-bute.gov.uk All 22 June 2022 16/3/22 cppadmin to circulate updated money worries leaflet when available. cppadmin 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Nicola and Iain to provide an update on progress and funding streams for digital development to the June CPP MC. Nicola H / Iain 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Any volunteers to assist with the installation of call blocking devices can contact Laura at Laura.Evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk All 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Partners that are able to offer funding to support purchase of future call blocking devices to contact rona.gold@argyll-bute.gov.uk All 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Ishabel to return to June CPP MC with a more detailed paper on the progress of the ABEP. Ishabel 22 June 2022 16/3/22 If any partners have any information relating Shaping Places in Dunoon that can be shared with rona.gold@argyll-bute.gov.uk All 22 June 2022 Page 17
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CPP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING ACTION GRID – from 16th March 2022 Complete In Progress Outstanding Please highlight actions as per traffic light system to show progress Date Set Action Who Required by Date 8/12/21 Shona to begin preparations for a short video with interviews and feedback from current and past Chairs. Shona 16 March 2022 8/12/21 Partners to start to think about their plans from a renewed perspective and on how plans can be aligned to the ABOIP. All 8 March 2022 8/12/21 Scamming and community pledges. Ideas from all partners on how to support the prevention of fraud and scamming in Argyll and Bute can be sent to Laura.Evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk or cppadmin@argyll-bute.gov.uk All 8 March 2022 16/3/22 Partners to identify if they have any funding available to support work of a Climate Change Officer and advise Stan accordingly at stan.phillips@nature.scot All 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Any climate activities that partners want highlighted on the CPP Climate Change webpage can be forwarded to cppadmin@argyll-bute.gov.uk All 22 June 2022 16/3/22 cppadmin to circulate updated money worries leaflet when available. cppadmin 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Nicola and Iain to provide an update on progress and funding streams for digital development to the June CPP MC. Nicola H / Iain 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Any volunteers to assist with the installation of call blocking devices can contact Laura at Laura.Evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk All 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Partners that are able to offer funding to support purchase of future call blocking devices to contact rona.gold@argyll-bute.gov.uk All 22 June 2022 16/3/22 Ishabel to return to June CPP MC with a more detailed paper on the progress of the ABEP. Ishabel 22 June 2022 16/3/22 If any partners have any information relating Shaping Places in Dunoon that can be shared with rona.gold@argyll-bute.gov.uk All 22 June 2022 Page 19
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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 Page 21 Agenda Item 3
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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, Page 22
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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 Page 23
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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. Page 24
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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 Page 25
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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 Page 26
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Management Committee Date: 22/06/2022 Child Poverty 1.0 Purpose The purpose of this report is to provide the CPP Management Committee with information relating to child poverty work, the Argyll and Bute Child Poverty Action Group and the Child Poverty Action Plan Review 2021 – 2022. 2.0 Recommendations The CPP Management Committee are asked to: Note the work taking place to address child poverty locally Note that the Child Poverty Action Plan Review 2021 – 2022.will be completed by the end of June but will then require to be approved the Council and IJB publication and sending to the Scottish Government. 3.0 Background 1. In 2017 the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act came into force as an attempt to put in place measures that would reduce the concerning increase in child poverty, both on a national and local level. The Act introduced a new requirement for local authorities and each relevant Health Board to jointly prepare a Local Child Poverty Action Report and to review it on an annual basis through to 2030. The Scottish Government publishes a national child poverty report, “Every Child Every Chance 2018-2022” which set out the national measures taken to address the issue and this too has been reviewed annually. On 24th March 2022 the Scottish Government published: “Best Start’ Bright Futures; Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022 – 2026. https://www.gov.scot/publications/best-start-bright-futures-tackling-child-poverty- delivery-plan-2022-26/documents/ Page 27 Agenda Item 4b
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Of particular relevance to the duties under the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act are Parts 1 and 3 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. Part 1 requires public authorities to publish, as soon as practicable after the end of each 3 year period, a report of what steps it has taken in that period to secure better or further effect within its areas of responsibility of the UNCRC requirements. Of particular relevance to the issue of child poverty are the following articles: Article 3 (best interests of the child) Article 6 (life, survival and development) Article 12 (respect for the views of the child) Article 26 (social security) Article 27 (adequate standard of living) Hence the Child Poverty Action Plan and the Children’s Rights Report are closely linked and should in turn be linked to key Council and Health Board strategies and plans, for example the Children and Young People’s Service Plan 2020 – 2023. It should be noted that child poverty and children’s rights are issues not limited to Children’s Services or the HSCP but are a wider responsibility that Council departments and partners need to be cited on. The Argyll and Bute Children’s Rights Report 2020 – 2023 will require to be re- viewed next year and Brian Reid will lead a multi-agency Children’s Rights Group to do this and to look at actions around embedding the UNCRC into Argyll and Bute’s policies and procedures. The Anti-Poverty Strategy 2018-2022 also requires to be addressed and decisions made as to the way forward. Discussions are currently taking place. It should be noted that there is no single decision on this from local authorities; some have set aside the wider Anti-Poverty Strategy in favour of the Child Poverty Action Plan; others have unified the two and still others have worked on both using overarching key objectives. The Improvement Service have stated this decision is a matter for local choice, as long as the statutory obligations to report on child poverty work is met. It is noted that the Child Poverty Action Plan and the Children’s Rights Report also link to the Fairer Scotland Duty. This is an overarching strategic duty on public bodies (including local authorities). It has interactions with the Equality Act 2010 and Scotland Act 2016; and came into force on 1 April 2018. The Duty requires that: “An authority to which this section applies must, when making decisions of a strategic nature about how to exercise its functions, have due regard to the desirability of exercising them in a way that is designed to reduce the inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic disadvantage.” In ensuring that this obligation is met, Equality and Socio-Economic Impact Assessments (EQSEIA’s) must be carried out when new plans and strategies are Page 28
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being developed. Children’s rights obligations call for a similar process to be carried out and Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessments (CRWIA’s) to be completed. Work is currently taking place in Argyll and Bute to integrate these two assessment documents into one process. 2. The 2017 Act set four targets relating to ending child poverty, which the Scottish Government committed to trying to achieve by 2030. The targets for children living in households in Scotland are that: less than 10% of children live in relative poverty (relative poverty is less than 60% of average household income for the year taking account of the size and composition of the household); less than 5% of children live in absolute poverty (absolute poverty is less than 60% of average household income for the financial year beginning 1 April 2010); less than 5% of children live in combined low income and material deprivation (low income is defined as less than 70% of average household income for the year, material deprivation is when families are unable to afford three or more items out of a list of basic necessities); less than 5% of children live in persistent poverty (persistent poverty is where a child has lived in relative poverty for three out of the last four years). These are all measured after housing costs are deducted. The Act also sets out interim targets which are to be met in the financial year beginning 1 April 2023 and these targets now represent a challenge given the impact of Covid19, EU Exit, the cost of living crisis, food chain issues and the war in Ukraine. Less than 18% of children are in relative poverty Less than 14% of children are in absolute poverty Less than 8% of children are in combined low income and material deprivation Less than 8% of children are in persistent poverty 3. Child Poverty Figures for Argyll and Bute: Data from research by the charity “End Child Poverty” in October 2020, which includes the child poverty data published by the Department for Work and Pensions in March 2020 and housing cost data from the Valuation Office Agency and income data from the Understanding Society survey found the following. Page 29
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It is noted that there is a delay this year in annuals figures from End Child Poverty, they state: We aim to release our child poverty statistics every year around May time. However, this year they will be slightly delayed due to a delay in receiving the data from the government upon which these statistics are based. We are aiming to release these statistics in early July. Local child poverty rates, After Housing Costs Children Living in Poverty below 60% median income before housing costs (BHC) and after housing costs (AHC) in Argyll and Bute. 2014/2015 AHC – 20.7% 2018/2019 BHC - 17.3% 2018/2019 AHC – 23.4% - (3056 children) New Scottish Government figures for Argyll and Bute released on 19/05/2021: 2019/2020 AHC - 23.3% (3000 children) https://data.gov.scot/poverty/2022/persistent.html 4.0 Detail In 2019 the Argyll and Bute Child Poverty Action Group was formed to oversee the implementation of the local Child Poverty plan, review it annually and find ways to best use existing resources and develop new initiatives. Members of the group included Councillor Currie, Senior Managers from the HSCP, Employability, The Food Group, Education, Benefits, Advice Services, Housing and the Third Sector; the Lead on child poverty work was taken by Joanna MacDonald, Chief Officer for the HSCP. This role has now passed to Fiona Davies. The Covid19 pandemic and the first lockdown prevented meetings for a period as group members were called away to other work but were continued later in the year. This was reflected across Scotland and the Government’s review of the Every Child Every Chance Report was not released until August. Local area plans were also delayed and Argyll and Bute completed theirs in November 2020. The second review 2020 – 2021 was completed and published with a short delay and the 2021 – 2022 review should be completed and published by the end of August. Page 30
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5.0 Conclusions The current Argyll and Bute Child Poverty Action Plan Review 2021 – 2022 (still to be published) sets out the current situation in terms of child poverty in Argyll and Bute and makes particular reference to areas such as children’s rights, The Promise, Pupil Voices, and Training. The plan sets out work that has been happening to address child poverty in Argyll and Bute and some plans for actions going forward. This will be led by Fiona Davies and the CPAG group; training, engagement and data analysis are key issues for the coming year. Examples of Work Taking Place. Parental Employability Support Fund (PESF) To date 47 parents across the 6 target group have signed up to receive support from our two PESF Engagement Workers, of these parents: 32 (68%) were unemployed and 11 (32%) low income employed on commencing support. 9 of the 32 unemployed have now ceased support. All 9 are in a positive destination, 8 in employment (89%) and 1 has moved into full time education (11%). 2 of the 11 employed have now ceased support, 2 (100%) of these parents have experienced an increase in their household income. Training - Working with The Poverty Alliance, One Parent Families Scotland and The Child Poverty Alliance we put together a broad range of training events for our multi-agency staff group and others. Some 220 professionals and our elected members received poverty awareness training and we were impressed by the insights that participants shared with us. Other courses ran on topics such as Single Parent Poverty Awareness; Benefit basics in Scotland; Payments for children in Scotland and Supporting low-income families. In addition to the commissioned training events there has been the delivery of Money Counts Training. The Money Counts Level 1 awareness session was co- developed by the Highland Money Counts Partnership including the Trussell Trust, NHS Highland, Highland Council and Social Security Scotland, in partnership with the Independent Food Aid Network and Nourish Scotland. It is has been adapted for Argyll and Bute and is currently delivered by Heather McAdam from NHS Highland and Mags Todd from A&B Council. The sessions also raised awareness of the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) Argyll and Bute Worrying about money? Leaflet and encouraged participants to use this when discussing money issues with clients. The Council has worked with a Page 31
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number of organisations to get this leaflet out widely to those who may need it in this time of cost of living crisis; this included putting the leaflet out with Council Tax Bills . Greener Development and Sustainability: We are committed to creating green jobs and businesses within a low carbon economy and giving young people the skills they need to become involved in this work. Examples of this include successful projects put forward to the UK Community Renewal Fund by Argyll and Bute, including the West Coast UAV Innovation Logistics and Training Hub, and Curriculum Development for STEM Hub Projects. Also, being considered under the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme (IP); is the Island Community Hall Connectivity Project – which would enhance digital connectivity to allow access to superfast broadband. Community Halls and Centres would operate a new hybrid-meeting model and act as community digital hubs. Another example, being developed as part of the Rural Growth Deal, is creating a Low Carbon Economy. This includes exploring options for the decarbonisation of Islay using a ‘whole systems’ approach that will consider power, heat and transport as well as placing the needs of the individual and business consumer at its centre to ensure that future energy systems are sustainable and support inclusive economic growth. In addition there are other areas of work, such as providing free period products, developing school clothing banks and the Food Forum that offer an opportunity for poverty actions and sustainability to be more closely aligned in a way that helps to tackle stigma while enabling dignity and choice for those in need. Client Gain through Advice Activity: Once again Advice Services across Argyll and Bute have managed to make a considerable difference in the lives of people who are struggling. The table below shows the client gain from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 for the citizens of Argyll and Bute as £10,165,000. Page 32
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Organisation 2021/2022 (£) Bute Advice Centre 1,866,000 Argyll and Bute Council Welfare Rights 2,729,000 ACHA Welfare Rights 4,192,000 Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau 1,068,000 ALIenergy 310,000 TOTAL 10,165,000 Fuel Poverty / Energy Efficiency Minimising all families' energy consumption will require existing homes to be retrofitted with measures to improve the fabric of the building and increase energy efficiency. Consequently, the building will require less energy to reach a comfortable temperature. Reducing the heating demand in homes will contribute to lower heating bills and hence help to alleviate child poverty. The Local Housing Strategy outlines the tools and programmes to improve Argyll and Bute's energy efficiency. Since 2020, Argyll and Bute Council has supported ACHA with their Warm Homes Project. £1million is funding external wall insulation to private homes in mixed tenure blocks. This supports ACHA's broader programme where they are installing over 1,000 air source heat pumps across Argyll and Bute. ACHA has also secured Scottish Government Social Housing Decarbonisation Funding to pilot a demonstrator project. ALIenergy had 1237 clients registering in the year Apr 21 – Mar 22 with a significant increase over the winter months as prices went up and the weather became colder. ALIenergy is a registered referral partner with Fuel Bank Foundation. Through the Fuel Bank Foundation, prepayment meter vouchers and bulk heating fuel deliveries can be accessed. In the period April 21 – March 22, 773 prepayment meter vouchers were accessed to a total value of £33,108, supporting 950 adults and 597 children in Argyll and Bute, whose households were close to or already using the emergency credit facility on their electric and/or gas meter, or had already self-disconnected. 36 bulk heating fuel deliveries (oil, coal, firewood) were also secured worth around £9,000 in total, direct to households who could not afford heating fuel deliveries. Affordable Housing - Often, a family's most significant monthly expense is their rent/mortgage; providing more affordable homes will alleviate a critical driver that pushes families into poverty. The first objective of the Local Housing Strategy is to provide an adequate supply of affordable homes. In 2021/22 there were 289 households with children under 16 rehoused via HOMEArgyll, out of a total of 733 RSL allocations, amounting to 39% of the total RSL allocations that year. In total Page 33
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this equates to 467 children rehoused in a permanent secure and affordable home. There are 924 families with children under 16 on the HOMEArgyll waiting list as of April 2022, out of a total active waiting list of 2,991 (31%). This amounts to 1,766 children in total in housing need. Flexible Food Fund - At the end of April 2022, after just under 16 months there has been 1,007 families supported and the combined total client gain is £1.325 million meaning that the average client gain per household is £1,315. In addition the team are managing a debt portfolio of £174,000 across all claimants where they continue to negotiate with creditors to reduce the arrears of individuals and families receiving support. The Argyll and Bute Community Food Forum continues to operate as a mutual support service for food banks across Argyll and Bute. Bute Advice Service provides the coordination role, bringing the forum together as a collective of independent organisations. The Council supports the initiative which is a network through which existing independent food-banks, food waste and community food initiatives can share experience, advice and ideas. Their work is closely linked to the Council’s Cost of Living and financial inclusion work, and officers meet with representatives of the Community Food Forum on a regular basis, providing support as required. Argyll and Bute Council are represented on the Scottish Government’s Working Group tasked with developing ways of ending the need for Food Banks in Scotland. Free Period Products - In November 2021, Argyll and Bute Council appointed a Project Lead – Period Products to ensure that the consultation, launch, roll out and compliance required by the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 was achieved. Argyll and Bute is the first Local Authority area to specifically recruit a post to support this work. During the early part of 2021, the post holder undertook considerable consultation to develop a Statement on Exercise of Functions, a brand identity and a provision and launch plan, with consultation being done with both young people and adults across communities. School Clothing Banks - We have great engagement between schools and community groups in Campbeltown where the Council is working with the schools, Kintyre Recycling Limited Shopper Aide to implement a school clothing bank to cover 6 primary schools and a secondary school in South Kintyre. There has been positive engagement in both Dunoon and Rothesay and it is anticipated that Sustainable Use School Clothing Banks will be setup by June 2022 in all of these areas. Page 34
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6.0 Implications Strategic Implications Consultations, Previous considerations Resources Prevention Equalities For more information, contact ….. References Appendices: Appendix 1 Links to Argyll and Bute’s Child Poverty Action Report 2019, the 2019 / 2020 and the 2020 – 2021 Review : https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/child_poverty_action_plan_0.pdf https://www.argyll- bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/child_poverty_action_plan_review.pdf https://www.argyll- bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Unknown/final_child_poverty_action_plan_review_2020 -2021.003.pdf Link to Council’s Challenge Poverty Website: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/challenge-poverty Link to Argyll and Bute’s Children’s Rights Report: https://www.argyll- bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/childrens_rights_report_2020_final.pdf Scottish Government’s UNCRC Guide for Children and Young People https://www.gov.scot/publications/un-convention-rights-child-guide-children-young- people-2/ Appendix 2 Page 35
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Description of measure: Relative poverty - the proportion of children living in households with incomes below 60% of the median (middle) UK income in the current year. Absolute Poverty - The number of children living in households below 60% of the median UK income in 2010/11, adjusted for inflation. Combined Low Income and Material Deprivation - The number of children living in households with incomes below 70% of the median UK income AND going without certain basic goods and services (such as a warm winter coat, a holiday away from home, money to replace worn out furniture etc.). Persistent Poverty - The number of children who have lived in relative poverty in 3 or more of the last 4 years. Page 36
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Management Committee Date: 22nd June 2022 Outcome 6 – CPP Management Committee 1.0 Purpose The purpose of this report is to provide the CPP Management Committee with an update the activities of the Community Safety Partnership during 2021/22 contributing towards the delivery of Outcome 6 – People Live in Safer and Stronger Communities. 2.0 Recommendations The CPP Management Committee are asked to: Note the contents of this report 3.0 Background The Community Safety Partnership is chaired by Police Scotland with the Vice Chair from HM Coastguard. Representation includes Argyll and Bute Council Regulatory Services, Trading Standards, Housing, ASB, HSCP, Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership, Community Justice, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, RNLI, Argyll TSI and other partners where required. 4.0 Year End Achievements During 2022, the Community Safety Partnership updated its strategy to provide a revised approach from the Community Safety Partnership. This was partly due to the Covid 19 pandemic and a shift in priorities and options available requiring a refreshment of the Delivery Plan. Whilst it will be noted by all members of the CPP Partnership, the last few years have been particularly challenging, there have also been a number of successful partnership initiatives and approaches to ensuring people are safer and stronger within their communities. The infographic on the following page provides a visual representation of the achievements through the CSP during 2021/22 with some more detail on each section in the remainder of this report. Page 37 Agenda Item 5
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 1. Local Outcome 1 – We Live in a Safe and Positive Community a. Locality ASB groups are well established and discuss cases where a multi-agency response is required. This could be due to complexity or escalation. Whilst the cases being referred to ASB is increasing, the demand is able to be met through the locality groups and each resolution case is being addressed. b. Victim Support Scotland (VSS) are in independent charity providing support and information to people affected by crime and campaign for victim and witness rights. Police Scotland will ask every victim and witness they come into contact with if they wish referred to VSS however through partnership activity this year, other partners were encouraged to make direct referrals as people may choose to engage with different services and this ensures no matter who they link with, this referral option is available to them. c. It was identified during Covid 19 that victims of domestic abuse may have less opportunities to seek support and report incidents of domestic abuse. As well as running several partnership campaigns to raise awareness of reporting mechanisms, inputs were provided to local vets throughout Argyll and Bute by Medics Against Violence (MAV). Medics Against Violence run training to professionals who may come into contact with victims of domestic abuse helping them recognise signs and be more confident in asking questions and helping signpost to support services. Printed leaflets were also provided to Living Well Networks and hospitals with national support numbers for Domestic Abuse victims. This information was also shared through AirBnB hosts and Argyll Holiday due to an increase in reported domestic abuse incidents from people frequenting Argyll and Bute on holiday. d. The festive safety campaign was supported by Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drugs Partnership who provided funding for reusable bottle tops that were distributed by Police Scotland throughout licensed premises in Argyll and Bute to promote responsible drinking and deter drink spiking incidents. e. Multi-Agency Drugs Related Death Reviews are held regularly to establish any learning from each drugs related death. This may involve improvements in prescribing and support mechanisms being available through other partners. 2. Local Outcome 2 – We Encourage Safe Road and Water Use a. The Argyll and Bute Partnership Approach to Water Safety Group was established to provide a multi-agency response to prevention of water related incidents. This provided enhanced communications which was shared in a consistent manner by all partners on various media platforms including social media and newsletters. b. An education package was created, able to be delivered by any partners due to restrictions on school visits during the pandemic. This has now been delivered to schools throughout Argyll and Bute. c. Water safety signage has been reviewed with improved signage created and installed in areas known to be frequented particularly during summer months when incidents are known to increase. d. Focussed days of action have taken place on our roads by specialist Roads Policing officers to encourage safer road using including detections for speeding and drink and drug driving. The campaigns are supported through social media which is used to highlight particular issues affecting the road network and users within Argyll and Bute. Page 39
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 3. Local Outcome 3 – Our Natural and Built Environment is Protected a. Deliberate fire setting is included in the Multi-Agency ASB meetings where this occurs at repeat locations or with known nominals. b. Referrals can be made by Police Scotland to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for the Fire Reach diversionary programme. c. During the peak of the pandemic, information sharing between Police Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council improved where business premises were involved to ensure they were supported in being Covid compliant. 4. Local Outcome 4 – Our Vulnerable Groups are Supported and Included a. Funding was received from the Community Justice Partnership for more Keep Safe information packs which has enabled further premises throughout Argyll and Bute to be trained. This has included Argyll and Bute Council Service Points, Argyll UHI, Hope Kitchen, Campbeltown Shopper aide and Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau. b. Funding was received for Friendship Benches as part of the work on the Suicide Prevention Plan to encourage people to talk to each other and start a conversation. A total of 12 benches have been built, painted and have plaques with support organisations displayed on them as they are sited throughout Argyll and Bute. c. An Online Child Sexual Exploitation awareness and prevention event was held providing key advice for parents and carers about internet safety and how to keep their young people safe. A Guidance Document was also circulated to all parents and carers with useful links and advice as young people increased their online access due to pandemic limitations on face to face interaction. d. Youth Engagement Officers have redeployed in Helensburgh and Cowal to provide information on internet safety to pupils. e. Funding was received for call blockers devices and printed fraud prevention materials which has been shared with other partners to help education and awareness around fraud prevention. f. Over 700 people have received face to face fraud prevention inputs in the form of the Scam Savvy Quiz to help protect them against becoming a victim due to an increase in frauds as a consequence of the Covid 19 pandemic. 5.0 Conclusions Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has required a change in delivery methods around Community Safety, as a partnership the successes from 2021/22 have been many. These will continue to be built on into 2022/23 where the Community Safety Partnership will ensure they revisit their strategy and local outcomes for relevance and focus. 6.0 Implications Strategic Implications None Consultations, Previous considerations None Resources None Prevention None Equalities None For more information, contact Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie, Area Commander, Police Scotland at marlene.baillie@scotland.police.uk Page 40
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Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership Delivery Plan, 2022-25: CPP Management Committee – 22nd June 2022 Management Committee Date: 22nd June 2022 Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership Delivery Plan, 2022-25 1.0 Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee with regard to the Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership (ABEP) Delivery Plan, 2022-25. 2.0 Recommendations 2.1 The CPP Management Committee are asked to: Note the content of this paper. Note that the ABEP Delivery Plan, 2022-25 will be a working document going forward. Endorse the ABEP Delivery Plan, 2022-25 as the first finalised iteration. Endorse that bi-annual updates on the delivery of the ABEP Delivery Plan, 2022-25, are provided to the committee. 3.0 Background 3.1 The ABEP has been in existence as a discussion forum on employability issues and opportunities for a number of years. However, further to the signing of a partnership agreement between the Scottish Government and Local Government on 5th December 2018, there has been a stronger focus on delivering the shared ambition of the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind (NOLB) policy agenda through all 32 of Scotland’s Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs). 3.2 NOLB is a programme of transformation which aims to change the employability system in Scotland to make it more adaptable, responsive and person-centred. Transforming the system will require collaborative leadership across all partners and a culture change in how services are designed, delivered and funded, in particular the move from national to increased local governance arrangements through LEPs. 3.3 A key focus of the Scottish Government’s NOLB Delivery Plan1 has been an increasing shift towards strengthening partnership working between the public, third and private sectors at the national and local level, user engagement, collaborative service design, shared measurement and a common approach to inclusive communications. 1 https://www.gov.scot/publications/no-one-left-behind-delivery-plan/pages/2/ Page 41 Agenda Item 9
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Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership Delivery Plan, 2022-25: CPP Management Committee – 22nd June 2022 3.4 The ABEP recognises that through stronger and more collaborative partnership working, focused on a place-based person-centred approach, will help to ensure suitable opportunities for individuals of all ages and capabilities through tackling socio-economic disadvantage, inequalities and removing multiple barriers to securing sustainable employment. On this basis, and as mandated by the Scottish Government, the ABEP has developed a Delivery Plan, 2022-25 as attached in Appendix 1, incorporating actions derived, with consultancy support, from an initial Improvement Action Plan, 2021-22. This Improvement Action Plan was approved by the CPP Management Committee on 29th September 2021. 4.0 Detail 4.1 Recognising the degree of variability of LEPs across Scotland, the Scottish Government noted the need for some consensus around structure and remit of employability partnerships, whilst allowing flexibility reflective of local circumstances. Therefore, the Scottish Government requested that all 32 LEPs were strengthening with the requirement to put in place a detailed Delivery Plan, 2022-25. 4.2 The ABEP Delivery Plan, 2022-25, contains a number actions focusing on the ABEP service delivery requirements and approach (see Table 3a) and the specific employability interventions (see Table 3b). 4.3 The overall outcome of this work is to determine how effectively partners in Argyll and Bute are meeting the needs and strengthening the delivery of the NOLB Employability agenda. It is important to note that the Delivery Plan, 2022- 25, is a working document that will be update on an ongoing basis to capture any new policy directions and/or interventions, complete with associated funding. Such regular reviews of the Deliver Plan will ensure the partnership is collectively meeting the employability needs of our local vulnerable residents and priority groups. 4.4 As agreed at the CPP Management Committee on 16th March 2022. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director, Argyll and Bute Council and Anthony Standing, Outcome 3 Lead, CPP Management Committee had the delegated authority to approval the submission of the initial draft ABEP Delivery Plan, 2022-25 to the Scottish Government early May 2022 along with a signed Offer of Grant for NOLB funding for 2022/23. The Scottish Government is now seeking finalised Delivery Plans complete with an Equality and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (see Appendix 4 within the attached Delivery Plan), by the 30th June 2022. 5.0 Conclusions 5.1 The ABEP Delivery Plan, 2022-25, provides a platform for partners and stakeholders delivering employability services across Argyll and Bute to work together to identify opportunities, align priorities, learn from each other, develop valued services and ultimately add value to every engagement with supported individuals. 5.2 The Argyll and Bute CPP Management Committee is being asked to endorse the content of the ABEP Delivery Plan, 2022-25, as attached in Appendix 1, to Page 42
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Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership Delivery Plan, 2022-25: CPP Management Committee – 22nd June 2022 ensure suitable opportunities for individuals of all ages and capabilities based on tackling socio-economic disadvantage, inequalities and removing multiple barriers to securing sustainable employment. Inclusive growth lies at the heart of this Delivery Plan where partner activity will contribute to the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind policy direction, with a focus in Argyll and Bute on ensuring ‘No Business Left Behind’ and ‘No Community Left Behind’. 6.0 Implications Strategic Implications As well as responding to the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind policy direction, the ABEP Delivery Plan, 2022-25 aligns and contributes in the main to Outcome 3 in the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan, 2013-23, as to what partners can offer to support individuals to participate in education, skills development and training. Strong partnership working with employers (public, private and third sector) is essential to provide opportunities for work experience to directly help individuals make informed choices on the training and employment options open to them and by doing so allow individuals to gain their first critical experience of the world of work. Employability issues and opportunities also contribute to the Argyll and Bute Council priority: ‘Argyll & Bute Council will be a mental health champion, promoting good health and helping people back into employment when necessary’ and the inclusive ‘skills for work’ focus outlined in the Council’s Economic Strategy. Furthermore, the ABEP Delivery Plan 2022-25 is distinct, but complements, the actions outlined in the Community Learning and Development (CLD) Partnership Action Plan. Consultations, Previous considerations The ABEP Delivery Plan, 2022-25, was developed and prepared incorporating actions derived, with consultancy support, from an initial Improvement Action Plan, 2021-22. Resources To deliver the suite of actions within the ABEP Delivery Plan will have resource and costs implications. Further representation on resources, given existing staff capacity, will be made to the Scottish Government through the Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development (SLAED) Employability/ People group. Prevention None Equalities All ABEP activities will comply with all Equal Opportunities/Fairer Scotland Duty policies and obligations. For more information, contact: Ishabel Bremner, Economic Growth Manager, Argyll and Bute Council / Chair of the ABEP Tel: 01546 604375 and e-mail: ishabel.bremner@argyll-bute.gov.uk Page 43
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Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership Delivery Plan, 2022-25: CPP Management Committee – 22nd June 2022 Appendix 1: Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership Delivery Plan, 2022-25 Draft ABEP Delivery Plan - 14 June 2022.docx Page 44
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ROLE OF PLACE DIRECTORS 1. Place Directors and Teams perform an important role: to understand, promote and support how public services work together and with communities, to improve wellbeing and outcomes on local and national priorities. 2. There is now strong Ministerial focus on tackling a series of intense and common challenges facing Scotland and her public services at this time, as reflected in the Programme for Government, Bute House Agreement, Covid Recovery Strategy, National Strategy for Economic Transformation and Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan. While many of the interventions in these documents are specific actions and investments by SG, others require deeper changes in how public services work. These deeper changes will typically reflect what matters for people, places and communities locally. 3. With this in mind, the focus should be on the following in particular: how SG strategic priorities land and play out locally: recognising there is now a strong alignment between SG strategic priorities for Scotland and local partners’ understanding of what matters most for people and communities in their own areas: notably Covid Recovery themes (financial security for low-income households; wellbeing of children & young people; good, green jobs & fair work); meeting Climate Change and Child Poverty Targets. But broad national challenges apply in distinctive ways in different places. These require responses from public services and their third sector, business and community partners that are shaped around what matters for local communities. an underpinning focus on Place1: broader Place-based work on tackling inequalities, sustainable public services and community empowerment; recognising that work may be taken forward sub-locally, locally or regionally. With an emphasis on public services being shaped around what matters to people, especially those experiencing disadvantage, in holistic and seamless ways. 4. Place Directors are also a bridge between a Community Planning Partnership (CPP) area and SG, a critical friend, and - where needed - a capacity-builder and local change agent. This latter aspect means intervening (for instance by bringing in resource from elsewhere in SG) where this can be helpful to facilitate, or create conditions for, local and regional reform. In these ways, Place Directors are active and constructive participants in the collective leadership of place. 5. We want to encourage Place Directors and teams to use their engagement to help us understand where there are innovative and potentially powerful examples of local transformation, and where there may be obstacles that are genuinely inhibiting local partners’ efforts to drive reform. 1 In this context, the definition used for Place is based on that used in the ‘Place Principle - Place Principle: introduction - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)’ Page 45 Agenda Item 10a
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6. Place Directors should focus on understanding and supporting the collective impact of public services on improving outcomes and empowering communities in places and for vulnerable communities of interest. We are also interested in how partners work together to make a difference at regional level, for instance to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth. A Role Tailored to Where It Can Add Most Value 7. Place Directors should use their discretion as to how they engage to add most value. Formal CPP board meetings will often be good places to engage, be visible to local partners and develop understanding of local challenges, ambitions and actions. However, in some CPPs they may be of less value – e.g. if these meetings consider issues formally rather than substantively; or if a theme (e.g. economic development) is considered in a different setting. 8. Place Directors should look to build and maintain good working relationships with key local leaders and other strategically important individuals. While these may differ from area to area, the local authority chief executive will always be a key contact. Others will typically include the NHS chief executive, HSCP chief officer, area commanders for Police Scotland and SFRS, the Third Sector Interface lead and CPP manager. Most areas will also have other local leaders who are committed and insightful. 9. Place Directors of course need to balance this role with their other responsibilities in work and beyond. So it is important that their role complements – not replaces - that of SG colleagues. It will not usually be for Place Directors and teams to test how individual reform programmes are taken forward in places across Scotland – that will be for relevant policy teams to lead on. In particular, policy leads separately need strong relationships with delivery partners and understanding of significant local issues, as part of effective policy delivery. A Place Director cannot be a substitute for this. 10. However, Place Directors and teams are uniquely placed to check how SG's ambitions, national reform programmes and messages are landing overall locally. For instance, how coherent and consistent do our messages appear; do local partners interpret these messages in the same way SG does; how well does our messaging help local partners plan for transformation with confidence; and to that extent are the Purpose, National Outcomes and Values in the National Performance Framework reflected in local action? 11. Place Directors are also well placed to demonstrate SG’s commitment to systems leadership, and to understand how deeply local public services display the qualities of systems leadership. These qualities include collective working towards a shared vision; leaders throughout the system working on parity of esteem and focusing on outcomes for communities rather than organisational benefits; allowing variation in delivery models to fit needs of different populations; transcending organisational barriers; and willingness to experiment, take managed risks and learn. 12. In summary, the Place Director role offers a number of distinctive strengths: understanding local conditions, challenges and opportunities Page 46
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seeing how these are being addressed in the round building and maintaining trusting relationships with key local leaders using these relationships to gain understanding of how life feels for local leaders and how SG expectations appear to them in the round using these relationships to provide constructive challenge where appropriate, as a critical friend feeding that local experience back into SG - how national policies and priorities (adapted for local circumstances where appropriate) play out on the ground using understanding of SG and wider system to connect local partners with sources of help and advice where needed. using these relationships to provide a rapid and direct channel of communication to senior local management when needed (e.g. to inform briefing for oral PQs; to inform Cabinet visits). 13. Annex A sets out where Place Directors can add value and where others in SG should lead. Public Service Reform Team May 2022 Page 47
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Annex A What This Requires and How Place Directors Can Best Add Value Issue Suggested Role for Others Where Place Directors Can Add Value a. Priorities & Ambition Understanding of local partners about these priorities and what these mean for them Policy teams work with stakeholders to set out priorities clearly and test understanding. This includes (i) what success looks like for these priorities; (ii) how policies work in the round, including to support person-centred approaches; and (iii) scope to flex delivery to reflect distinctive local conditions. Can help understanding of local partners about clarity of expectations (both individually and particularly how local partners view these in the round); what these mean for local partners; and what success looks like for them. Can channel any queries, concerns and other feedback to relevant policy leads. Understanding of local partners about how to pursue these priorities in ways that reflect local conditions Policy teams use stakeholder relationships to check understanding on this; and, where needed, provide clarification, guidance or assurance about scope for local discretion. Can use understanding of local conditions to see how local partners intend to reflect these in pursuing these priorities. Can capture work at sub-local authority, local authority and regional levels, including across locational boundaries. Can relay any concerns and queries back within SG. Ambition of local partners: what difference they want to make on these priorities. Policy teams use stakeholder relationships to test this. Sponsor / relationship management leads test this in their engagement with public sector bodies. Understand ambition of local partners collectively and act as a critical friend. Can relay any concerns and queries back within SG. Commitment of local partners to underpinning principles of delivery: person-centred, holistic, seamless, empowering; built on strong, trusting partner relations. Policy teams reinforce and test commitment to these principles in the context of their (person-centred) policies. Sponsorship / relationship management leads reinforce and test commitment for their public sector bodies. Can reinforce importance of these principles and act as a critical friend. Can relay any concerns and queries back within SG. Page 48
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Issue Suggested Role for Others Where Place Directors Can Add Value b. Delivery & Accountability Understanding of progress nationally Corporate and policy-specific arrangements for performance oversight. No formal role. Understanding of progress locally Policy-specific arrangements for performance oversight (where appropriate) - including to understand impact on inequalities. No formal role. Can note how and how well local partners appear to monitor and understand progress; and liaise with relevant SG colleagues where appropriate. Understanding of experiences of local delivery: what is working well; challenges Policy leads, working with improvement support teams, sponsor/relationship management leads and others, seek feedback on positive examples and challenges. Use relationship management with national stakeholders to test their desire to understand progress, as part of sector-led commitment. Can perform a supporting role in feeding back positive examples of which they’re aware. Can pick up and feed back into SG, where there appear to be challenges to local delivery. SG working with partners, using learning to support improvement and address barriers Improvement support teams take account of learning for their support offers. Role as “change agent” – connecting local partnerships to support offers in SG and beyond (PSR team can assist Place Directors in this). Accountability for progress Neither LAs nor CPPs are accountable to SG. But many partners are, through sponsorship. No formal role. Can act as critical friend. Important role to build good ongoing relationships with senior LA management, so Place Director can approach them quickly should a need arise – e.g. info on key issues affecting the locality and/or council (recognising where Ministers may themselves be accountable - e.g. to inform briefing for oral PQs). c. Refining Policy & Ambitions SG’s understanding of how it feels to be local leader and front-line staff (public services; third sector; business; community) Tested and obtained as part of policy development; and through sponsorship of public bodies / relationship management with other bodies. Important role to understand how life feels for local partners, and how they view SG’s expectations both individually & in the round. Use own relationships with local contacts to develop understanding. Page 49
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Can obtain potentially distinctive feedback from what obtained nationally from local public sector, third sector, business & community interests. Opportunities to share reflections as a network Using learning to inform refinements to policy (including to support both national and local priorities) Policy leads reflect learning in refining policy. Can reinforce learning messages, including for what these might mean for local priorities. Page 50