Minutes of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group Held on Tuesday 12 August 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 4 November 2025
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group — 4 November 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 COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP held BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on TUESDAY, 12 AUGUST 2025 Present: Councillor Ross Moreland Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Andy MacPherson, Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network Lucy Sumsion, National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Sergeant Sophie Marshall, Police Scotland Janis Marshall Reilly, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) Anne Campbell, Dunoon Community Development Trust Ian Woodcock, Transport Scotland Ann Kennovin, Community Learning, Live Argyll Shona Edwards, Community Learning, Live Argyll Rhydian Knight, Friends of Glenan Woods Ed Pybus, Kilfinan Community Council Andy McGregor Attending: Councillor Audrey Forrest Rona Gold, Communities and Partnership Manager John McLuckie, Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council Ailie Law, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council Milly Leggett, Area Plans Officer, Argyll and Bute Council Douglas Whyte, Housing Strategy Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Andrew Galloway, Local Democracy Reporter Stuart Green, Corporate Support Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Having noted the apologies of the Chair, Jean Moffat, and the Vice- Chair Reeni Kennedy-Boyle, the Committee Manager invited those Partners present to elect a Chair for the meeting. It was agreed that the Committee Manager would manage the order of business. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES The Committee Manager welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made. Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of: Jean Moffat, Bute Community Council Reeni Kennedy-Boyle, Fyne Futures Councillor Gordon Blair, Argyll and Bute Council Councillor Peter Wallace, Argyll and Bute Council Melony MacLean, Argyll Community Housing Association Benedict Tustin, Scottish Environment Protection Agency Rhona Grant, Live Argyll Rhona Altin, Argyll College UHI
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2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. 3. MINUTES (a) Meeting of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group held on 6 May 2025 The Minute of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group meeting held on 6 May 2025 was approved as a correct record. 4. ASPIRING PLACES; COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN ARGYLL AND BUTE The Group gave consideration to a presentation by the Project Manager and Project Officer from Argyll and Bute Council, in relation to the Council’s Aspiring Places; Community Project in Argyll and Bute. The presentation provided background information in relation to the previous project approach; the Launch of the Argyll and Bute Voices & Aspiring Places Platform in March 2025; the Funding Connections Roadshow that was delivered in various locations throughout April – May; the available funding streams; the number of expressions of interest and next steps. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation by Project Manager and Project Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted) 5. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee held on 6 June 2025. The report also provided information on the CPP Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan; CPP Community Wealth Building (CWB) Charter; Community Planning’s Priorities Transport and Introduction to Housing; Scottish Fire and Rescue’s Service Review and also an update on changes of office bearers of Area Community Planning Groups. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by John McLuckie, Partnerships Lead, dated 13 August 2025, submitted) 6. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES (a) Transport Update The Group gave consideration to a presentation from the Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council which highlighted information on how the Argyll and
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Bute Community Planning Partnership will improve transport infrastructure. The presentation also highlighted the ABOIP agreed Objectives 2024 – 2034; the work by the CPP Management Committee and information on the actions of the Transport Integration Working Group and Community Active Travel Network. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the presentation. (Reference: Presentation by Rona Gold, Community Development Manager, dated 13 August 2025) (b) Introduction into Housing The Group gave consideration to a presentation from the Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council which advised how the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership will improve housing. The presentation also highlighted the ABOIP agreed Objectives 2024 – 2034. Following the presentation, there was a question and answer session with the following statements made: . Are you aware of any funding, training or opportunities locally for construction skills development ? . What data is available for housing locally and what data is missing ? . Do you know of any land and assets belonging to your organisation or group that could be used for housing ? . What local information could be shared with those at risk of homelessness ? . What information do you have about workforce needs for local accommodation ? The Community Development Team thanked Partners for their comments, advising that this was the start of an ongoing conversation on housing at Area Community Planning Groups. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the update. (Reference: Presentation by Rona Gold, Community Development Manager, dated 13 August 2025)
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(c) Local Housing Strategy Douglas Whyte, Housing Strategy, Argyll and Bute highlighted some of the recent activities within the housing system, following the emergency housing action plan put in place in June 2024; these activities included working with the Scottish Government; developing Strategic Development Frameworks to facilitate long-term delivery and securing national funding investment into housing projects in the area. Mr Whyte also advised of various developments within the locality including ACHA having acquired a site on Alexander Street, Dunoon; Fyne Homes tendering for the construction of 8 social rent units at Ballochgoy Rothesay; and planning consent having been secured for the demolition of the Lower Academy Building, Rothesay. The Community Planning Group also noted that Trust Housing Association, in partnership with Scottish Government and Argyll and Bute Council, have begun transforming their existing Manse Gardens, Strachur development into 16 fully refurbished and energy efficient homes for existing and new customers. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the update. (Reference: Report by Housing Strategy Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, 12 August 2025) 7. PARTNER UPDATES (a) Police Scotland Update The Group gave consideration to the verbal update highlighting Police Scotland’s priorities for the Cowal, Bute and Helensburgh area which covered serious and organised crime; crimes of theft and dishonesty; road safety and road crime; violent crime and public protection. Sophie Marshall also advised that the recent Pride March went well, and plans are in place for the upcoming Cowal Highland Games. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Police Scotland, dated April 2025, submitted) (b) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Update The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ1 review of local performance across Bute and Cowal for the period April to June 2025. The report gave a breakdown of the 125 incidents within that period for fires and special incidents.
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Mr Miller also gave a presentation in respect of the Service Delivery Review advising that the public consultation runs until September. Following the closure of the public consultation the responses will be reviewed with a decision being made at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Board meeting in December. Partners are encouraged to share and respond to the consultation. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dated April to June 2025, submitted) (c) Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Update Consideration was given to an update from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team which included information on Community Link Workers; Community Link Working – remote and island evaluation; Suicide Prevention Training; Argyll and Bute Living Well – Art of Hosting at the Living Well Programme; launch of Population Health Framework and Working Well with Communities Update. Partners were encouraged to send questions pertaining to the update to the Committee Manager, who would forward them to the Health and Social Care Partnership for a response. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by the Health Improvement Senior Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated August 2025, submitted) (d) Dunoon Community Development Trust Update Consideration was given to an update from Dunoon Community Development Trust. The update advised that over the past year and more the Trust has been working to develop a Local Place Plan and a Community Action Plan for Dunoon and Kirn which will be submitted to Argyll and Bute Council for approval in October 2025. Partners were encouraged to refer to the draft Local Place Plan and offer feedback. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Dunoon Community Development Trust dated August 2025, submitted)
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(e) Transport Scotland Update Consideration was given to an update from Transport Scotland which highlighted the ongoing works at the Rest and Be Thankful and works along the A82 between Tarbet and Inverannan. The update also advised that the implementation of the 20mph at Tarbet and Arrochar is being progressed and all locations should be fully installed throughout Argyll and Bute by the end of 2025. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Area Manager, Transport Scotland, submitted. (f) Live Argyll Community Learning Services Update Consideration was given to an update report from the Live Argyll Community Learning Service, which provided an update on Youth Work. The report provided information on the recent adventures of a group of Cowal young people to ‘Bag’ Ben Nevis; Bute Camping Trip; a total of 66 young people taking part in the Summer Give Programme and the opening of the new Youth Space based at Dunoon Foodbank. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the update. (Reference: Report by Live Argyll Community Learning Services, submitted) (g) Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface Update Consideration was given to an update from Argyll and Bute TSI. The update provided information on the Scottish Government, TSI landscape and policy activity; public service reform and population health; Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund (years 5 and 6); ABTSI strategy review 2026 – 2031 and the Community Directory and Funding Platform refresh. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute TSI, dated August 2025, submitted) (h) Opportunity for Verbal Updates There were no verbal updates provided under this item. 8. CLIMATE CHANGE (a) Opportunity for verbal updates on community based initiatives
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Andy MacPherson advised the group that his post, ACT Climate Project Manager, had been extended to July 2026 with the emphasis on working with Communities. Mr MacPherson confirmed that he is looking to build Community Resilience across Argyll and Bute and will be exploring options to establish pilot groups within each of the administrative areas. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the presentation. (Reference: Presentation by Andy MacPherson, ACT Climate Project Manager dated 12 August 2025, submitted) 9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The Group noted that the next meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group would take place on Tuesday 4 November 2025.