Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group - 4 November 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 2 December 2025
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Committee — 2 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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MINUTES of MEETING of BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP held by MICROSOFT TEAMS on TUESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2025 Present: Jean Moffat, Bute Community Counci (Chair) Councillor Ross Moreland Councillor Gordon Blair Councillor Peter Wallace Chief Inspector James McArthur, Police Scotland Sergeant Stuart Brannan, Police Scotland Andy MacPherson, Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network Janis Marshall Reilly, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface Ian Woodcock, Transport Scotland Rhydian Knight, Friends of Glenan Woods Ed Pybus, Kilfinan Community Council John Brent, Ardentinny Community Council Rachel McLean, Team Leader, Argyll and Bute Community Link Worker Service Angela Coll, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Maggie Clark, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Melanie McLean, Argyll Community Housing Association Rhona Altin, UHI Argyll Attending: Rona Gold, Communities and Partnership Manager, Argyll and Bute Council John McLuckie, Partnerships Lead – Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council Ailie Law, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council Councillor William Sinclair Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Andrew Galloway, Local Democracy Reporter Chris Martin, Argyll Media The Chair ruled, and the Area Community Planning Group agreed, to vary the order of business and consider Agenda Item 8a ‘Police Scotland Update’ after Agenda Item3 (MINUTE) in order to facilitate Chief Inspector James McArthur attending another meeting. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made. Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of: Julie Fish, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council Councillor Audrey Forrest, Argyll and Bute Council Ross McDougall, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Becky Hothersall, The Poverty Alliance
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2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. 3. MINUTES OF THE BUTE AND COWAL COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP HELD ON TUESDAY 12 AUGUST 2025 The minutes of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 12 August 2025 was approved as a correct record. PARTNER UPDATES Police Scotland Update The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting Police Scotland’s priorities for the Cowal, Bute and Helensburgh area including Acquisitive Crime, Roads Safety, Anti-Social Behaviour/Violence and Public Protection. The report also referenced Local News such as the planned seasonal winter safety campaigns, community engagement opportunities, crime prevention, and operational effectiveness and the return of Dunoon Police 5s Football Tournament. Chief Inspector James McArthur advised the Group that an article in the Dunoon Observer dated 31 October 2025 had suggested that violent crime within the locality had spiralled. Chief Inspector McArthur assured Partners that this is not the case and that the reported increase in violent crime was as a consequence of changes to the reporting structures introduced by the Scottish Government. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Police Scotland, dated November 2025, submitted) 4. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR FOR THE BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP The Group gave consideration to a report providing information relating to the appointment of a Vice-Chair for the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group. The report also outlined the expected time commitment and information on the role. The Group took the opportunity to record their thanks to the previous Vice-Chair, Reeni Kennedy-Boyle, for her hard work and dedication to the role. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group agreed to continue consideration of the appointment of a Vice-Chair to the next meeting of the Group. (Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 4 November 2025, submitted)
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5. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee Meeting held on 19 September 2025. The report provided information on the CPP Improvement Plan, Fair Funding Guidance, Climate Change and the Community Wealth Building Charter. The report also provided updates from each of the Area Community Planning Groups, which took place in August 2025 and progress within each of the Priority Outcomes. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Partnerships Lead, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 4 November 2025, submitted) 6. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES (a) Transport Update The Group gave consideration to a presentation which was delivered by the Partnerships Lead of the Community Planning Team. The presentation highlighted information on how the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) would seek to improve transport infrastructure, taking in to consideration the agreed objectives of the 2024-2034 Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP). The presentation also included information on the project mandates to be signed off by the Community Planning Partnership in relation to Transport Infrastructure. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation from Partnerships Lead Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council) (b) Housing Update The Group gave consideration to a presentation which was delivered by the Partnerships Lead of the Community Planning Team. The presentation highlighted information on how the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) would seek to improve housing, taking into consideration the agreed objectives of the 2024-2034 Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP). The presentation also included information on the discussions held during the CPP Management Committee in September 2025 which focused on Housing; the Construction Skills Development Working Group and communicating financial interventions on homelessness. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.
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(Reference: Presentation from Partnerships Lead Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council) (c) Community Wellbeing Consideration was given to a presentation delivered by the Partnerships Lead of the Community Planning Team. The presentation outlined how the Community Planning Partnership would seek to improve Community Wellbeing, taking into consideration the agreed objectives of the 2024-2034 ABOIP. The presentation noted that Community Wellbeing was the highest priority for both Bute and Rothesay and second in Dunoon; and overall, the second highest priority across the whole area. The presentation also provided information on the agreed actions to be developed and next steps. Mr McLuckie highlighted a series of questions which would be circulated to Partners by email following the meeting. He advised that as part of the ongoing conversation, the Community Planning Team would welcome any additional comments in response to the questions. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation from Partnerships Lead Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council) 7. ARGYLL AND BUTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM (a) Partner Update - Public Health Consideration was given to a public health update from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team on the ongoing wellbeing and prevention activities overseen and delivered by them in Argyll and Bute. The update provided information on the Stoptober campaign to encourage people to stop smoking, a Gypsy/Traveller community health event held in Ardrishaig in October, the Joint Strategic Plan for 2026 – 2031, the ‘You Are Not Alone’ drama performances for S2 pupils which took place in September across eight secondary schools in Argyll and Bute and the Planet Youth update. The update also provided information on the accessible and easy read version of the NHS Highland Equality Outcomes (2025–2029), the first Speakeasy 'taster' webinars which were held in September, the Public Health Scotland report on emergency hospital admissions and deaths as a result of unintentional injury and the Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership.
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Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Health Improvement Senior, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated November 2025, submitted) (b) Working with Communities The Group gave consideration to a presentation which was delivered by Maggie Clark, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership. The presentation offered an overview of the Working with Communities initiative and a number of the projects associated with it such as Planet Youth, Public Living Rooms and Living Well Self Management Strategy. Miss Clark also spoke of the importance of communities working together and the activities being taken forward to develop and enhance skills for leadership across Argyll and Bute. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the presentation. (Reference: Presentation by Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 4 November 2025, submitted). 8. PARTNER UPDATES (b) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Update The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s FQ2 review of local performance across Bute and Cowal for the period 2025 – 2026. The report gave a breakdown of fires and special services incidents which occurred within the locality and provided information on the Fire Skills course which was run in Oban, Station open days, road and water safety campaigns and the work of the Community Action Team. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided and that, in the absence of a representative of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, any questions could be forwarded to the Committee Manager following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, dated November 2025, submitted) (c) UHI Argyll - Rothesay and Dunoon Consideration was given to an update by UHI Argyll – Rothesay and Dunoon, the update included information on the 2025 Graduation ceremony which was held during September in the Queens Hall, Dunoon; a Modern Apprenticeship Employer Engagement Event which was held in the Oban Centre in October; engagement at Dunoon Grammar School and Rothesay Joint Campus in September and October
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and a number of new courses that have launched. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by UHI Argyll, dated 21 October 2025, submitted) (d) Live Argyll Community Learning Services Update Consideration was given to a report from the Live Argyll Community Learning Service, which provided an update on Cowal Youth Work. The report also provided information on the Youth Voice Showcase being held at the Queens Hall, Dunoon in November; Girls Group, Dunoon School Hostel and Social 22 and information on wider achievements, specifically Dynamic Youth and Youth Achievement Awards. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided and that, in the absence of a representative of Live Argyll Community Learning Service, any questions could be forwarded to the Committee Manager following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Live Argyll Community Learning Service, dated November 2025, submitted) (e) Community Development Update The Group gave consideration to a report by the Community Development Team which advised that Supporting Communities Fund applications were considered by the four Area Committees in September and that 20 groups within Bute and Cowal had secured funding. The report also advised that from 1 August 2025 the Community Development team will work across all Argyll and Bute Council areas to assist and strengthen networks that offer assistance and recovery opportunities, for people who have experienced addiction. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Community Development, dated November 2025, submitted) (f) Transport Scotland Update Consideration was given to an update from Transport Scotland which provided information on a variety of different works recently completed and planned along the A83, the Rest and be Thankful plus information on works recently completed and planned along the A82.
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Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Transport Scotland, dated November 2025, submitted) (g) Opportunity for Verbal Updates Kilfinan Community Council Ed Pybus advised that Kilfinan Community Council are currently developing a community plan with a focus on resilience. Mr Pybus further advised that the Community Council meeting in November will focus on roads, speed limits, potholes, cycle lanes and that they hoped a representative from the Roads and Infrastructure Service, Argyll and Bute Council would be in attendance. Third Sector Interface (TSI) Janis Marshall Reilly advised that the Chief Executive Officer is drafting the TSI manifesto in advance of the Scottish Parliament elections, scheduled to be held in May 2026. Miss Marshall-Reilly also advised that she had recently attended the TSI Network Scotland Conference and encouraged all Partners to undertake the Community Voices Survey consultation. Committee Manager Update The Committee Manager highlighted that the Governance Arrangements of the Group would be considered at the next meeting, including the membership, advising that this is drawn from public sector, third sector, private sector, community organisations and partnerships operating within the Bute and Cowal area. Mr McLean encouraged partners to refer any individuals or groups who may be interested to contact him regarding their inclusion within the membership. Friends of Glenan Wood Rhydian Knight advised that the Friends of Glenan Wood had recently facilitated a number of community engagement events and directed partners to visit the website for details of these and future events. 9. COMMUNITY FOCUS (a) We Are With You The Group gave consideration to a presentation by Team Leader, Argyll and Bute Community Link Worker Service regarding the ‘With You’ project. Rachel McLean advised that the Community Links & Drug and Alcohol Services supports anyone affected by drug or alcohol use to make a positive change to their circumstances. Miss McLean further advised that in 2024 ‘With You’ services in Argyll and Bute received a total of 1088 referrals, Community Link Workers are based in 6 GP surgeries in Cowal and that people can access a variety of support services including, but not limited to, 1 to 1 support and psychosocial interventions Group Work, Support for friends and family and Support to access residential
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rehabilitation. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation from Team Leader, Argyll and Bute Community Link Worker Service). 10. CLIMATE CHANGE (a) Climate Change Update 1. 2. 3. Consideration was given to a report and presentation which provided an update on the overall progress of with the climate change strategy; progress with developing a legacy proposal, shaped by the Scottish Government’s aspirations; funding support for Argyll as Climate Ready Region and initial findings from the review of existing community resilience and emergency plans through engagement with community councils. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group: Noted the overall progress since the August update, with some work on community resilience and legacy/ongoing partnership proposals brought forward and pushing back some work on the Action Plan, and a timeline to July 2026. Noted in particular the significance of the Scottish Government’s aspirations and support for developing an Argyll and Bute Climate Ready Region. Noted the initial findings from review and engagement to date on community resilience/emergency plans, and agreed to feedback opportunities for sharing learning and best practice to the Climate Change Project Manager (andy@act- now.org.uk) (Reference: Report by Climate Change Project Manager, Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust, dated 22 October 2025, submitted) (b) Opportunity for verbal updates on community based initiatives There were no verbal updates provided under this item. 11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The Group noted that the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group would take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 3 February 2026 by Microsoft Teams.