Public reports pack
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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Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RT Tel: 01546 605522 DX 599700 LOCHGILPHEAD 28 October 2025 NOTICE OF MEETING A meeting of the BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP will be held by MICROSOFT TEAMS on TUESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2025 at 10:00 AM, which you are requested to attend. Douglas Hendry Executive Director BUSINESS 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3. MINUTES (a) Meeting of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group held on 12 August 2025 (Pages 5 - 12) 4. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR FOR THE BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP (Pages 13 - 14) Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council. 5. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS (Pages 15 - 18) Report by Partnerships Lead, Argyll and Bute Council. 6. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES (a) Transport Update Update by Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council. (b) Housing Update Update by Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council. Public Document Pack
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(c) Community Wellbeing Update by Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council. 7. ARGYLL AND BUTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM (a) Partner Update - Public Health (Pages 19 - 24) Report by Health Improvement Senior, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership. (b) Working with Communities Presentation from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Public Health Team. Please find here the link to the video component of the presentation to be delivered by the Public Health team. 8. PARTNER UPDATES (a) Police Scotland Update (Pages 25 - 30) (b) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Update (Pages 31 - 38) (c) UHI Argyll - Rothesay and Dunoon (Pages 39 - 40) (d) Live Argyll Community Learning Services Update (Pages 41 - 42) (e) Community Development Update (Pages 43 - 44) (f) Transport Scotland Update (Pages 45 - 46) (g) Opportunity for Verbal Updates 9. COMMUNITY FOCUS (a) We Are With You (Pages 47 - 72) Presentation by Team Leader, Argyll and Bute Community Link Worker Service 10. CLIMATE CHANGE (a) Climate Change Update (Pages 73 - 82) Report by Climate Change Project Manager, Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust. (b) Opportunity for verbal updates on community based initiatives 11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
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The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 3 February 2026. Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group Jean Moffat (Chair) Contact: Stuart McLean, Committee Manager - 01436 658717
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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 Page 5 Agenda Item 3a
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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 Page 6
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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) Page 7
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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. Page 8
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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) Page 9
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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 Page 10
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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. Page 11
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Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group 4 November 2025 Appointment of Vice-Chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group Summary The following report provides information relating to the appointment of a Vice-Chair for the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group. It outlines the expected time commitment and also gives information on the role. The Area Community Planning Group is asked to consider making an appointment to this position. 1. Purpose 1.1 This report asks the Area Community Planning Group to consider the appointment of a Vice-Chair. 2. Recommendations 2.1 The Area Community Planning Group is asked to consider the appointment of a Vice-Chair. 3. Background 3.1 The position of Vice-Chair is vacant following the resignation of the previous office bearer. 4. Detail 4.1 According to the Terms of Reference the Vice-Chair, if elected, would serve for a term of 2 years with an option to be re-elected at the end of this time. However, no one person can serve for more than 2 consecutive terms. 4.2 In order to be considered as a candidate for the position of Vice-Chair the person must be a member of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group. 4.3 Some further information on the commitment required for the role:- • Attend meetings of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group; • Attend meetings of the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee or the Full Partnership, if the Chair is unable to attend; Page 13 Agenda Item 4
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• Time commitment of at least 4 CPG meetings per year in February, May, August and November and 4 pre-agenda meetings per year in January, April, August and October; • To participate in any Short-Term Working Groups as required; and • To engage with officers of the Council in terms of setting the Agenda for the Community Planning Group. 5. Conclusions 5.1 The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group is asked to consider the appointment of a Vice-Chair. 6. LOIP Outcomes 6.1 This report does not link to any specific Outcome as it relates to the administrative arrangements. For further information please contact: Stuart McLean, Committee Manager (01436) 658717 Page 14
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Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group 4 November 2025 Community Planning Partnership Management Committee Meeting Highlights This briefing is for noting and relevant discussion. Summary The Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee met on 19th September 2025 in the 3 Villages Hall, Arrochar. The highlights from this meeting are here for the interest of members of the Area Community Planning Group. Access to the reports and full agenda is found by following this link – Agenda for Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership - Management Committee on Friday, 19 September 2025, 10:00 am - Argyll and Bute Council Highlights CPP Improvement Plan Gary I’Anson, Acting Chair of the CPP Management Committee, highlighted the progress made against the actions in the CPP Improvement Plan, notably the updated Welcome Pack and the Community Planning podcast. Fair Funding Guidance John McLuckie provided an update on Fair Funding Guidance for the Voluntary Sector. A paper outlining the principles of fair funding for the voluntary sector was submitted to Argyll and Bute Full Council on 26 June 2025 – item 12 on Full Council agenda pack The Council agreed to sign up to the principles of the guidance and to work towards the aspirations the guidance contains. It was agreed that the paper can be used as a template for Community Planning Partners to use within their own organisations with progress to be reviewed at the December CPP Management Committee meeting. It was noted that the CPP cannot sign up to the guidance as a partnership unless all partners sign up to the principles. Page 15 Agenda Item 5
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Climate Change Andy Macpherson highlighted the Scottish Government aspiration to establish Regional Adaptation Partnerships across the country, through the existing Climate Action Network structure. Andy advised that funds have been obtained to develop a business case for an Argyll and Bute Regional Adaptation Partnership, and it was agreed that CPP partners would be invited to join a Short Life Working Group to develop the business case. It was noted that any funded development work may require a change to the Terms of Reference for the CPP Climate Change Steering Group however it was agreed this was not required immediately. Community Wealth Building Charter Susan MacRae, Skills Development Scotland, provided an update on behalf of the Community Wealth Building (CWB) Steering Group, which also includes Takki Sulamain, Argyll and Bute TSI; Alison McGrory, NHS Highland; Morag Goodfellow, HIE; and Ishabel Bremner, Argyll and Bute Council. Susan highlighted the CWB charter compiled by the group, with partners asked to review this within their organisations and confirm if they are willing to sign up at the December CPP Management Committee meeting. The Charter outlines the CPP’s commitment to, and its vision and shared principles on CWB, the role of partners as Anchor Institutions and next steps aligning with the Argyll and Bute Outcomes Improvement Plan, Argyll and Bute Council’s Economic Strategy and Climate Action priorities. Susan noted that Skills Development Scotland are one of the first anchor institutions to sign the charter and added that all CPP organisations are likely to be regarded as anchor organisations (those organisations present in a place, large scale employers, purchasers of local goods and services, etc). Area Community Planning Group (ACPG) Updates Gary I’Anson noted the paper reporting on the ACPG meetings held in August 2025, with the following points highlighted by the Community Planning team: - The appointment of Gill Simpson as Chair of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group and the forthcoming appointment of a new Vice Chair at the November meeting. - The completion of Ian Brodie’s term as as Vice Chair of MAKI Area Community Planning Group. Priority Outcome – Transport Infrastructure Rona advised that a summary of the actions agreed at the CPP Management Committee Transport Infrastructure session in June will be circulated to those who attended. Partners will be invited to raise any concerns on content, with a follow-up session scheduled to provide an opportunity for final content amendment, following which a governance structure will be created to deliver the agreed actions. Partners Page 16
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were reminded that the actions had been created from discussions with partners and the wider community, looking at what was already being done and what the CPP can add value to. Priority Outcome - Housing Rona provided an overview of the Housing priority outcome, noting the six actions agreed by the CPP and the six actions from the Housing Emergency Summit which require CPP input, and highlighting that a number of actions are either underway or have been completed. The actions still to be started would form the basis of the discussions in the breakout sessions. Rona reaffirmed the importance of working with the Area Community Planning Groups both in terms of input to the overall CPP actions and feedback from this CPP event to help shape local actions. Presentations were delivered under the heading of ‘housing actions in the pipeline’ by Douglas Whyte, Housing Strategy Team Lead for Argyll and Bute Council; Ronnie MacRae, Housing Delivery Manager for SSEN; Morven Fancey, Head of Housing, Skills and Population at HIE; Michelle Mundie, Chief Executive of ACHA; and John Forbes, Community-led Housing Coordinator for Communities Housing Trust. All slides from the presentations are available through the link at the top of this highlight report. Attendees participated in breakout groups for the majority of the day, focused on shaping the six CPP housing actions not yet started: 1. Establish a construction skills development working group 2. Establish a partner land and assets working group; Identify and map public sector land and buildings which could provide workforce and affordable housing via repurposing and change of use. 3. Communication plan on financial interventions to prevent homelessness 4. Freedom to use Scottish Government housing funding more flexibly and as an allocation with local administrative control 5. Develop a strategic approach to evidencing the need for workforce housing in the public sector 6. Incorporate energy discussion points within CPP Climate Change Strategy Gary thanked everyone for their contributions to the discussions on Housing. The CPP team will share the outputs from these discussions and will arrange an online follow up session for attendees to make any further comments on the actions. Introduction to Priority Outcome – Community Wellbeing Rona introduced Community Wellbeing which will be the topic of the December CPP Management Committee meeting, and reminded partners of the long-term Community Wellbeing objectives agreed in the Argyll and Bute Outcomes Improvement Plan: - Broadening equality of access to Community Leadership opportunities - Furthering equality of access to services, facilities and community assets Page 17
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- Working with partners to maximise sustainability of community facilities and
services
- Enabling a voice in collective decision making
- Enhancing communication within communities
- Better understanding how communities achieve a sense of connection and
belonging
Close
Gary thanked everyone for attending and for their contributions to the complex topic
of Housing, noting it had been an excellent opportunity to meet and build
relationships for the work that the CPP needs to take forward.
For More Information:
John McLuckie, Partnerships Lead, john.mcluckie@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Full minutes of CPP Management Committee meetings are found here: {Browse
meetings - Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership - Management
Committee - Argyll and Bute Council}
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1 Argyll & Bute Community Planning Partnership Area Community Planning Group Partnership update Date: November 2025 Partner update – Public Health Smoking Cessation – Stoptober campaign Stoptober is a national campaign encouraging people to quit smoking. The A&B Public Health team has developed a local campaign to raise awareness of the free NHS support available to people who want to quit. For the month of October, NHS Highland Smoke-Free Service is encouraging people to quit together. People are up to five times more likely to quit for good if they make it to 28 days smoke-free. https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/news/2025/09/stoptober-campaign-launches-in- highland-argyll-and-bute/ Our smoking cessation advisers are working with local pharmacies to ensure people across Argyll and Bute have easy access to tailored support https://www.ablivingwell.org/smoking-cessation Gypsy/Traveller community event A health event was held in Adrishaig on 1st October for the local Gypsy/Traveller community. Organised by MECOPP's Community Health Worker, and funded by the Screening Inequalities Funding, this event was supported by many partner agencies. The health event aimed to raise awareness of health interventions including NHS Health Screening and Smoking Cessation, as well as information from AliEnergy, Page 19 Agenda Item 7a
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2 Scottish Fire and Rescue, Dochas and many other agencies. The event was well attended with positive feedback. Joint Strategic Plan Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is developing a new Joint Strategic Plan for 2026 – 2031. Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) are required to create a Joint Strategic Plan (JSP). This is a high level plan of how the IJB will manage and deliver health and social care services using the resources and budgets they control. They must review and update this plan at least once every three years. Our proposed priorities: • Priority 1: Preventative and Community Based Care • Priority 2: Integrated and Person Centred Care • Priority 3: Financial and System Sustainability • Priority 4: Healthy and Engaged Workforce • Priority 5: Access and Tackling Health Inequality • Priority 6: Digital Transformation We will be consulting with communities, partners, and stakeholders between 10 October to 10 January 2025. We will communicate in person, online and through press during this period, but you can register or subscribe on the NHS Highland Engagement Hub to keep up to date with how this consultation is progressing. In October, the HSCP ran a series of Community Drop-ins to listen to communities to hear their views about the new Joint Strategic Plan. Have your say - help shape health and social care in Argyll and Bute | NHS Highland Watch out for our online survey here: NHS Highland Engagement Hub Page 20
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3 S2 Dramas The ‘You Are Not Alone’ drama performances for S2 pupils took place in September 2025 across eight secondary schools in Argyll and Bute. Three stories were embedded within the performance: Molly’s Story (about sending naked photos), Joel’s Story (about vaping) and Rob’s Story (about self-harm). Evidence shows that these are all relevant health issues experienced by many children and young people locally and nationally. The performance was followed by workshop discussions led by the Guidance Teachers with the support of attending partners from The Police’s Youth Engagement Officers, School Support Service and The Exchange. Planet Youth Update Planet Youth is a community-based framework focused on improving young people’s health, wellbeing, and relationships by working with parents, carers, schools, communities and organisations. It focuses on increasing protective factors and reducing risk factors to help children and young people make better and safer choices about their wellbeing. Over the last two years in Argyll and Bute, five secondary schools and communities have been avidly involved with Planet Youth. In 2025 Planet Youth continues to grow locally with all ten state secondary schools now on-board. Page 21
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4 A Planet Youth community event, ‘Growing up in Oban’, took place in September This was a great opportunity for families, children and young people to see the vast variety of fantastic clubs, activities and groups available locally. Approximately 200 community members attended and the feedback was excellent. On 19th November 2025, the Planet Youth team will be hosting Youth Voice Conference in Kilmory Chambers which aims to: amplify the voices of young people and enable them to share their live experiences, priorities and ideas directly with decision-makers, inform strategic planning, and celebrate and embed Youth Voice as a vital force in building a healthier, safer and more hopeful future for Argyll and Bute. If you require further information please contact argyllandbute@planetyouth.scot Equality Outcomes – Accessible Easy Read version An Easy Read version of the NHS Highland Equality Outcomes (2025–2029) has now been co-designed and tested with children, people whose first language is not English and people with a learning disability. This accessible version will make the Equality Outcomes more meaningful and user-friendly for the public. Although the official launch is not until later in the month, we wanted to highlight this development as it reflects a growing commitment to ensuring our plans are accessible to all. Speakeasy The first Speakeasy 'taster' webinars were held on 24th September. Speakeasy is a learning programme for parents, carers and adults working with children and young people, delivered informally as one off session or a block of up to eight sessions. It: • Helps to tackle complicated and difficult issues around children growing up, including body changes, safety and relationships and sexual health. • Works with groups of parents and carers to provide age-appropriate information, resources and support to enable them to confidently discuss these subjects in the home. • The course helps parents to build on what they already know about growing up relationships and sex to help children make safer choices. This is supported by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Curriculum for Excellence and reflects the results shown in The Chat research: theChat.scot – the Chat is a conversation with parents and carers about where, what, when, why and how children and young people learn about relationships, sexual health and parenthood. Page 22
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5 42 people attended the sessions, which evaluated positively. Discussions are ongoing regarding taking this forward, both as webinars and face-to-face delivery. Public Health Scotland (PHS) report on emergency hospital admissions and deaths as a result of unintentional injury Unintentional injury is a major cause of premature death and ill health in Scotland. Unintentional injuries can occur in any age group, but children and the elderly are more vulnerable. The term ‘unintentional injury’ is used rather than ‘accidents’ as ‘accident’ implies that events are unavoidable when a high proportion of these incidents are preventable e.g. falls, road traffic accidents etc. PHS will be publishing an annual unintentional injury annual report on October 28th. While the report itself it is at a national level, analysis is provided down to Local Council level in additional tables. The Public Health team would like to report back on A&B data for consideration at the next ACPG meeting. Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) The ADP is delighted to launch the ADP Strategy 2025-2027, which focuses on the three pillars of Prevention, Recovery Orientated Systems of Care (ROSC) and a Public Health Approach to Justice. The strategy outlines the priorities identified by the ADP, stakeholders and national directives, acknowledging the changing environment with national plans and challenging financial climate. It includes evidence from local data, stakeholder engagement, national strategy and frameworks. The golden thread running through the strategy is a focus to strengthen our partnerships as the foundation of all our activity, working closely with people with lived and living experience. In addition to the document, a short animated video about the strategy has also been produced. The ADP Support Team has produced the first ADP Bulletin, which highlights some of the recent activity within the ADP and community ADP Autumn Bulletin ADP Support Team look forward to producing regular bulletins and welcome feedback on what Community Planning Partners would like to see. The ADP Annual Report 2024-2025 is also available, the report demonstrates with wide range of activities, progress and developments delivered throughout the year. The Medically Assisted Treatment Standards (MAT) Experiential Programme Report for 2024 – 2025 has also been shared to inform feedback and further improvements in developing MAT Standards. The strategy and reports are available to view on https://www.argyllandbuteadp.info/resources-and-links-W21page-5 Page 23
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6 REPORT AUTHOR AND CONTACT Author Names: Angela Coll Health Improvement Senior Email: nhsh.abhealthimprovement@nhs.scot Page 24
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Please note that all data included in this report are management information and not official statistics. All data are sourced from Police Scotland internal systems and are correct as of date of publication. Unless stated otherwise numerical comparisons are against the previous year to date and the previous five-year average for the same data period specified. OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Division Cowal & Bute Area Community Planning Group November 2025 The priorities for your area are decided by data from our strategic assessment which details threats and risks, and also from feedback from local authorities, partners, and residents in the Local Policing Survey. The current priorities are: • Serious and organised crime • Crimes of theft and dishonesty (acquisitive crime) • Road safety and road crime • ASB & Violent crime • Public protection. Acquisitive Crime Acquisitive crime remains a local priority especially as we move towards the winter months where community members can feel more vulnerable during the darker evenings. Our preventions team continue to look for ways to raise the importance of crime prevention within in the community. Small steps and a review of personal routines can help reduce the likelihood of becoming the victim of opportunistic crime. Our pro-active work to protect the public from fraud continues. We are delivering inputs to groups and utilising our social media presence to maximum effect. Our relationship with our colleagues in Trading Standards is strong and we are installing call-blockers to landlines when appropriate which is a device to add a level of protection against the automated type of fraudulent call. Between 01/07/2025 and the week commencing 09/10/2025 locally we have recorded 10 Shopliftings across out community which is down on previous months. We have had no reports of domestic housebreakings COWAL, BUTE & HELENSBURGH PRIORITIES 2023-2026 Page 25 Agenda Item 8a
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Please note that all data included in this report are management information and not official statistics. All data are sourced from Police Scotland internal systems and are correct as of date of publication. Unless stated otherwise numerical comparisons are against the previous year to date and the previous five-year average for the same data period specified. OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Digital evidence sharing capability, which revolutionises the way we collect and process digital evidence throughout the criminal justice system, is now live in Argyll. Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) is a programme designed to deliver an end to end service which will collect, manage and share digital evidence throughout the criminal justice process. DESC will allow members of the public/businesses to quickly and easily submit digital evidence online (via portal). Road Safety Overall, there is a reduction in the number of casualties involved in road traffic collisions within Argyll and Bute compared to last year. Speeding and driving complaints remain prevalent within the area. We continue to support community concerns in this area through direct action, prevention and intervention work. Proactive speed checks have been carried out across the area and Between 01/07/2025 and the week commencing 09/10/2025, we have detected 33 speeding offences across out local communities. These drivers have been issued with fines or reported to the COPFs. During the same period 7 divers have been charged with dangerous driving and a further 23 drivers charged with driving without due care or attention. We have also detected 10 drivers who were unfit to drive through drink or drugs and have been reported to the COPFs. During this period, we have received a total of 57 reports of road accidents and from that number 19 were assessed as immediate response calls. ASB/Violence All operational officers are briefed daily prior to deployment to furnish them with the intelligence and information required to be able to identify those involved in violence and ASB. It is very difficult to prevent sporadic acts of violence particularly indoors in private dwellings. We continue to engage with housing partners to identify problematic neighbour complaints to assess and target ASB which if left to fester may escalate to violence. We have robust policing plans in place to monitor those individuals released with specific bail conditions. The Preventions Team are in daily contact with the ASB and Housing Teams to ensure we maximise our response through a partnership approach. Page 26
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Please note that all data included in this report are management information and not official statistics. All data are sourced from Police Scotland internal systems and are correct as of date of publication. Unless stated otherwise numerical comparisons are against the previous year to date and the previous five-year average for the same data period specified. OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Our officers will make full use of their stop search powers when it is justified and proportionate to do so. Between the dates reported we have charged 3 persons who have been found to be in possession of an offensive weapon within the community. We have 96 recorded minor assaults and 4 recorded serious assaults. We have proactively stopped 41 individuals who were found to be in possession of drugs, controlled under the misuse of drugs act and 1 individual was charged with being concerned in the supply of drugs. Public Protection We continue to support individuals through a victim centred approach. Our officers receive regular training and guidance to ensure that we are supporting those affected with a professionalism and empathy. Public protection is often complex. Policing on its own is not the solution. By working in partnership, taking a multi-agency approach, increasing public confidence and raising public awareness, we are better placed to identify threat, manage risk and prevent harm A scheme launched ten years ago by Police Scotland has seen over 19,500 disclosures made to people about their partner's abusive past. The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) was launched on 1 October 2015 following a successful trial in Ayrshire and Aberdeen city, and since then has received over 35,500 requests to ask about the background of a partner. DSDAS is an important preventative tool in tackling domestic abuse. Of the 35,847 requests received, 19,867 disclosures (55 per cent) have been made to tell individuals their partner has a violent or abusive past. Before the DSDAS scheme, there was no formal way of an individual finding out if their partner had a previous history of abusive behaviour. And similarly, there was no mechanism for police to proactively tell individuals if their partner posed a risk to them. The introduction of DSDAS has made significant changes and improvements to the violence against women landscape. It gives people the right to ask and police the right to tell individuals at risk of domestic abuse about the history of their partner. They can then make an informed decision about their relationship. The DSDAS form is available on our website: https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/disclosure/ Page 27
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Please note that all data included in this report are management information and not official statistics. All data are sourced from Police Scotland internal systems and are correct as of date of publication. Unless stated otherwise numerical comparisons are against the previous year to date and the previous five-year average for the same data period specified. OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Local News We are now planning for our seasonal winter safety campaigns which will involve high visibility patrols within the community to deter ASB and seasonal acquisitive crime. We will be providing various firework safety related inputs in conjunction with our partners at the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. We continue to look at community engagement opportunities, crime prevention, and operational effectiveness. We are available to deliver fraud and scam awareness talks, empowering residents, while crime prevention surveys have identified key concerns for targeted interventions. The Golf Partnership Initiative, in collaboration with Cowal Golf Club, has seen remarkable growth, with junior memberships increasing from 20 to 100. Additionally, 20 sets of golf clubs have been provided to new members through the Golf Club Hire Scheme, ensuring financial barriers do not hinder participation. The Dunoon Police 5s Football Tournament returned this year, spanning two days of competition. Schools from across Cowal participated in athletics and football on the Friday, while the adults’ tournament on Sunday marked its first return since COVID-19, attracting over 20 teams, including participants from as far as Glasgow. Our youth engagement officer (YEO) continues her exceptional youth engagement work, including the successful launch of Social 22, a youth club for P7 and above, and the establishment of girls and boys running clubs. She also delivers vital inputs to schools on the dangers of drugs, knives, and other relevant issues. Looking ahead, planning is underway to organise and host a multi-agency open day in one of the rural villages, with the time and date to be confirmed. Furthermore, the Road Safety Hubs are set to return this year, with the first of four inputs focusing on winter driving and night-time driving scheduled for November and December. These achievements and initiatives highlight our commitment to enhancing public safety, reducing crime, and fostering positive community relationships *The crime data referred to above is recorded between 1st July and 9th October 2025 Page 28
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Please note that all data included in this report are management information and not official statistics. All data are sourced from Police Scotland internal systems and are correct as of date of publication. Unless stated otherwise numerical comparisons are against the previous year to date and the previous five-year average for the same data period specified. OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Useful Links/Contacts • Argyll and Bute Communtiy Directory - https://abcd.scot/ including warm spaces information • Crimestoppers – Crimestoppers in Scotland | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) 0800 555 111 • Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime – www.scottishparc.co.uk • Women’s Aid - Home - Women's Aid (womensaid.org.uk) • Citizens Advice – 0808 164 6000 • Argyll and Bute Council Trading Standards – 01546 605 519 • Argyll and Bute Council – https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/my-council/how-contact-us • Transport Scotland – road related incidents and road closures - https://www.traffic.gov.scot/traffic-information/incidents • Scottish Water - https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/Help-and-Resources/Contact-Us 0800 0778 778 • NHS24 (including mental health support) – 111 or https://www.nhsinform.scot/ Follow us on Social Media and help share loacl appeals and education messages • Facebook - Police Scotland Argyll and West Dunbartonshire • X (formerly Twitter) – PSOSArgyllBute and PSOS ArgWestDunb Sign up to Neighbourhood Watch to receive local alerts and bulletins for your community area - https://neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk/#0 Have your say on your local policing priorities - Your Police 2024-2025 - Police Scotland - Citizen Space Page 29
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Bute, Cowal and Dunoon CPG Briefing Report Q2 2025/26 Performance & Activity Report From: 1st July 2025 To: 30th September 2025 Page 31 Agenda Item 8b
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Introduction Welcome to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Community Board Performance Report. This performance report is designed to provide citizens, stakeholders and partners with information relating to Community Board based activity undertaken by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Whilst using historic statistical benchmarking data, consideration must be taken of the somewhat random nature of fire related incidents and events, and how this can pose difficulties in interpreting emerging patterns and trends. This is of specific relevance where Community Board level data is analysed due to the relatively small number of actual incidents/events that occur in Community Board areas. However, regardless of statistical anomalies, emerging patterns and trends in fire related incidents and events can assist the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Community Planning Partners plan and implement preventative intervention initiatives to target reducing fire related incidents and events. About the statistics within this report The activity totals and other statistics quoted within this report are published in the interests of transparency and openness. They are provisional in nature and subject to change as a result of ongoing quality assurance and review. Because all statistics quoted are provisional there may be a difference in the period totals quoted in our reports after local publication which result from revisions or additions to the data in our systems. The Scottish Government publishes official statistics each year which allow for comparisons to be made over longer periods of time. Report Generated on 31/07/2025 Page 32
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Isle of Bute Q2 2025-26 Page 33
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Cowal Q2 2025-26 Page 34
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Dunoon Q2 2025-26 Page 35
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Community Safety & Engagement Argyll & Bute Fire Skills The first Fire Skills course at Oban Fire Station was a success, thanks to the commitment and teamwork of the young participants. They took part in practical activities aimed at building confidence, learning new skills, and working together. Their enthusiasm made the experience positive and impactful. Thanks also go to partner organisations Developing the Young Workforce, Live Argyll, Scottish Ambulance Service, and Argyll & Bute Education for their support. Station Open Days This summer, fire stations in Helensburgh, Lochgoilhead, Tobermory, and Oban welcomed the public for a series of open days. Visitors had the chance to meet local crews, explore fire and rescue equipment, and take part in activities focused on safety and awareness. The events helped strengthen ties with the community and offered valuable insights into the work of our teams. We’re grateful to our youth volunteers and partner organisations support, and everyone who donated to local charities. Your support made a real difference. We look forward to welcoming you again at future events. Page 36
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Road & Water Safety During this reporting period, we’ve continued collaborating with partners across Argyll & Bute, including Police Scotland, the RNLI, and local businesses, to support road and water safety campaigns across the local authority area. We remain active in the Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) and regularly attend Argyll & Bute’s quarterly safety meetings. Our Community Action Team and local crews have also delivered Water Safety Scotland presentations in schools, helping raise awareness and promote safer behaviours around water. We supported this year's World Drowning Prevention Day at Lomond Shores, Loch Lomond, by providing water safety information and demonstrating a simulated water rescue using our dedicated water safety resources. Page 37
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Community Action Team • Post Domestic Incident Response (PDIR) following every domestic incident: Offers homeowners a free safety check and installation of alarms where applicable. • Representation on Multi Agency Risk Assessment (MARAC) for those affected by domestic violence. • Continue to support ‘Make the Call’ campaign and On Call recruitment drive for retained and volunteer stations within Argyll and Bute • Engaging with communities utilising Summer/Autumn Thematic Action Plans TAP (Thematic Action Plan) • Establishing “Referral Pathways” with our partnership agencies. Empowering new referral groups to help us arrange Home Fire Safety Visits for some of our most vulnerable groups in our communities. Page 38
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Principal and Chief Executive: Martin Jones www.argyll.uhi.ac.uk UHI Argyll is a trading name of Argyll College Ltd a charity registered in Scotland No SC026685 Registered address: West Bay, Dunoon, PA23 7HP UHI Argyll – Rothesay and Dunoon: Update for Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group 21/10/2025 General The 2025–26 academic year is now well underway, with both Rothesay and Dunoon centres operating at almost full student capacity. Access-level courses remain in high demand, particularly Access to Care (Level 5), which is currently full. Graduation Our 2025 graduation took place on 26th September at Queen’s Hall, Dunoon. Sixty-five graduates from across Argyll and the islands gathered with family, friends, and staff to celebrate their achievements across Further Education, Higher Education, and Modern Apprenticeships. In addition to celebrating academic achievement, individual students from Dunoon and Rothesay received special recognition awards: HE Student of the Year (Dunoon), and FE Student of the Year (Rothesay). Modern Apprenticeship Programme – Employer Engagement Event On Tuesday 28th October 2025, UHI Argyll are hosting a Modern Apprenticeship Employer Engagement Event at the Oban Centre. The session will offer Argyll’s employers the opportunity to explore the benefits of apprenticeships, hear success stories from participating businesses, and connect with UHI Argyll’s Apprenticeships Team for expert guidance on work-based learning. School Engagement Staff from Dunoon centre attended the S1 parent engagement evening at Dunoon Grammar School on 30th September, and staff from Rothesay attended the Rothesay Joint Campus career’s event on 1st October. New short courses We have launched the following short horticulture courses: • Free online taster horticulture courses developed by UHI Argyll Horticulture department, available via the OpenLearn Create website: Plant biology – 10 hours Garden and planting design – 15 hours Plant propagation – 20 hours • Drystone Walling: Dunoon – Starts Monday 16th February 2026 for 6 weeks • Introduction to Garden Design: Online on Monday evenings 6–8.30pm, from 20th October for 13 weeks Page 39 Agenda Item 8c
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Principal and Chief Executive: Martin Jones www.argyll.uhi.ac.uk UHI Argyll is a trading name of Argyll College Ltd a charity registered in Scotland No SC026685 Registered address: West Bay, Dunoon, PA23 7HP Commercial courses We are running the following commercial courses: • Elementary Food Hygiene - full day: 11th November; 9th December; 27th January 2026; 17th February 2026 • Personal Licence - full day: 25th November; 11th December; 29th January 2026; 24th February 2026 Sheena Finlay Assistant Centre Manager (Rothesay) sheena.finlay@uhi.ac.uk Rhona Altin Assistant Centre Manager (Dunoon) rhona.altin@uhi.ac.uk Page 40
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Cowal Youth Work Update Youth Voice Showcase LiveArgyll’s Youth Work Team are hosting their Youth Voice Showcase event on Monday 24 November at The Queen’s Hall in Dunoon. The event will highlight and celebrate the work and achievements of Youth Action Group’s across the local authority as they roll out their new Youth Action Council. There will be interactive presentations, an opportunity to engage with the young people and network whilst learning about youth led community learning and development processes. Invites have gone out to “influencers” such as MSP’s, local councillors, head teachers and school staff as well as strategic partners such as Scottish Fire & Rescue, Police Scotland, SDS, DYW, and local partners. If anyone would like any information on the event or would like to attend the event, please contact either myself or Shona Edwards by Friday 31 October. Girls Group - Girls group has started back for the next block which will run until the first week in December. Group is open to girls and young women P7 to S3 every Wednesday evening 5.45pm till 7.15pm at Queens Hall. Youth Action Group – the group is still in its infancy; however, we have a core of 5 young people S1-S6 meeting weekly to help drive the group forward. The group met up with the Helensburgh group during the October break to discuss UNCRC and what the articles meant to them, the challenges of recruitment to YAG, explored issues within their community, who the people of influence were within their communities that they needed to communicate with to address issues of concern. Dunoon School Hostel - Working with Active Schools to deliver a Taster programme for the young people at the school hostel on the themes of health & wellbeing, life skills and physical activity. The programme will start on 6 November for 6 weeks taking place both at the hostel and Dunoon Grammar School. Page 41 Agenda Item 8d
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Wider Achievement - Continuing to support to several groups and individual young people working on a range of Wider Achievement Awards – Dynamic Youth Awards, Youth Achievement Awards at both Bronze and Silver level and Participative Democracy Certificate. Social 22 - Continues to be a success with over 700 young people to date using the youth space on a Friday night. A sewing workshop in partnership with Dunoon Community Development Trust ran for 4 weeks and was very popular with the young people bringing along clothing for repair, repurposing outgrown clothes into other items of clothing and making bags out of material scraps. Upcoming events include a Halloween disco, craft sessions and pool/PS4 competitions. The junior committee is now in place, and they will be supported in their roles by myself. MSYP – Tyler Murray has resigned as MSYP for Argyll & Bute due to focus on their other commitments. Page 42
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Community Development Update Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group The Community Development team presented the Supporting Communities Fund report to Area Committees in September, all the recommendations were approved. Community organisations have been notified of the outcomes and follow up support offered to unsuccessful groups. A review of the new online process, including feedback from users will feed into preparations for the next round of SCF. The Supporting Communities Fund 2023/24 End of Project Monitoring Reports were also presented to Area Committees in September. The Community Development Team are supporting local recovery communities. From the 1st of August 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. This is part of the Recovery Orientated Systems of Care (ROSC) approach by the ADP - which builds on existing community provision by collectively identifying gaps and addressing these. Meetings with local groups will take place to explore their resources. In Bute and Cowal the community development team is exploring the potential for training in the area for local community groups to ensure people are confident about welcoming and supporting people in recovery. Please contact Ailie Law ailie.law@argyll-bute.gov.uk for further information. Community Development supported the volunteer recruitment event on 20th September, hosted by Sandbank Community Development Trust, Scenic Sandbank and Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface. Community Development attended the Careers day hosted by DYW Argyll at Rothesay Academy on 1st October. Our stand at the event Page 43 Agenda Item 8e
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The Community Development team are currently developing a community engagement training course for staff. Individual support has been offered to the following groups: • Cowal Home Educators • Sandbank Community Development Trust • Dunoon Youth Football league • Brandane Bulls • Sandbank Community Development Trust • Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis, Recovery Corner launch, the organisation will participate in the Scottish Mental Health Art Festival this year with events at the Recovery Corner on 29th and 5th November, further details; https://www.mhfestival.com/events/creative- healing-dunoon/ The Community Development team supported CPP, ( community planning partnership) at the ABOIP (Argyll and Bute Local Outcomes Improvement Plan) management committee event on the theme of Housing. Local CLD , ( Community Learning and Development) partners Argyll and Bute Council, Live Argyll and TSI ( Third Sector Interface) will review partnership approaches and best use of resources when working with community organisations in the local area. Please visit the Community Development pages on Argyll and Bute Council website. Page 44
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RaBT; • Further to hillside inspections, a sizable boulder has been identified for removal in order to protect A83t. Works planned for 27th October for 3 days and entail helicopter lifts over 2 days for mobilisation/demobilisation and removal works. Due to safety risks there is a requirement to use the long diversion on 28th October, anticipating that the A83t will re-open no later than 30th October – Further update will be provided at the meeting. • As a result, the westbound & phase 12 drainage improvements have since been suspended or moved to out with a safety exclusion zone until removal works have been completed • The hillside is being monitored continuously by our dedicated team as per our Landslide Management Plan • At Cairndow, we are still awaiting SSE to confirm the electrical connection required to enable the new signage • Other works still to be implemented at RaBT, noting that the full programme is still be determined; 1. Westbound & Phase 12 Drainage Improvements – (currently ongoing) 2. Catch fence repairs, various phases, working on the upper slopes 3. Further works required to improve the lower slopes with full extent to be confirmed 4. Further Improvement works at Glen Kinglas incl. landslip interventions & culvert/drainage clearing A82; • Recently completed 5nr re-surfacing schemes on the A82t between Tarbet & Inverannan incl. North of Inveruglas & Stuckendroin. • Lay-by improvement scheme has now been completed and appears to provide a significant improvement • A82 north of Arden Roundabout form the start of November of filter drain renewal using temporary traffic signals. The project involves using a recycling technique that cleans and reuses existing stone within the drainage system. This method eliminates the need for excavation and replacement with new materials, significantly reducing waste, conserving resources, and lowering the overall carbon footprint of the scheme Page 45 Agenda Item 8f
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• Crianlarich Bypass Vegetation Management scheme programmed for December • Loch Lomond Lay-bys and Rest Area signing strategy design is still ongoing following on from a meeting held between BEAR and LLTNP • Loch Lomond Junctions Improvement scheme with BEAR progressing designs for introduction of VAS signs at key junctions such as Duck Bay, Cameron House, Luss junctions. A number of surveys are required/planned for Q3/4 2025 with queue length surveys along the A82 Loch Lomond and Stoneymollan Roundabout • VRS upgrades being progressed at Glen Falloch, to upgrade existing bridge parapet and approach terminals along with entire stretch of A82 Loch Lomond VRS with the scheme investigation now underway Page 46
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Overview: Community Links & Drug and Alcohol Services Cowal Community Planning Partnership November 2025 Page 47 Agenda Item 9a
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With You Provide 2 Services in Cowal Community Links: Based in GP practices, providing social prescribing services. Drug and Alcohol Service: Supporting anyone affected by drug or alcohol use to make a change. In 2024 withyou services in Argyll & Bute received a total of 1088 referrals. Page 48
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Community Links 21 GP Surgeries in Argyll and Bute Page 49
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Community Link Workers are based in 6 GP surgeries in Cowal: ● Dr Hall and Partners ● Cowal Medical Practice ● Church Street Medical Practice ● Riverside Medical Practice ● Strachur Medical Practice ● Kyles Medical Centre Page 51
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What does the Community Link Worker Service Do? Referrals taken from primary care CLW will support clients with non medical issues affecting health & Wellbeing CLW provides psychosocial interventions & Connects people with support or services to meet their needs CLW connects with services in the local community to understand local provision Page 52
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Community Link Work is: ● using evidence based interventions, measuring impact and based on partnership working ● promoting self management and health behaviour change, using one to one and group approaches and community or online resources Page 53
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Our Commissioning Team ● Dr Jenny Dryden- is the lead commissioner for our service and is part of the Health Improvement Team within Argyll and Bute HSCP. ● Our impact and outcomes are fed into the Primary Care Modernisation Board that meets quarterly. Purpose of Link Working ● Social prescribing options within primary care ● Reduce pressure on primary care dealing with non medical issues ● Support groups experiencing health inequalities Page 54
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Background to Community Link Working: 2015 - Pilot by Scottish Government Glasgow, Dundee and Inverclyde 2018 - New GP Contracts agreed Primary Care improvement plan - Community Link Workers are one of 6 strands designed to reduce workload and burden on GP Practises Funding given to every Health and Social Care Partnership and rolled out across Scotland There is now a national Workforce - more than 200 and a national network of link workers. Social Prescribing is a globally recognised approach Page 55
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The Community Links Service in Numbers: Service Started in December 2021 Service expanded to include rural practices in Dec 2024 With over 2000 referrals to the service over this time 01st April 2024-01st April 2025 105 people were referred in Cowal Main Reasons for referral in Cowal are: Mental Health & Wellbeing, Stress Management and Financial Advice Page 56
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Outcomes: We use the Short Warwick Edinburgh Wellbeing Scale to understand how our service performs. In Cowal we got data from 72% of people who chose to take up the service. 96% of whom had an improvement in their wellbeing. Page 57
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Social Prescribing in Cowal: Social Prescribing relies on a dynamic and effective third sector to support people to access essential services for their health and wellbeing: Such as Womens Aid & Rape Crisis Carers and Young Carers Centre Citizens Advice, & Welfare Rights Lomond and Argyll Advice & Advocacy Service Dunoon Bothy, Bullwood Nature Trail and the Mens Shed. Page 58
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Challenges influencing Health Inequalities: Poverty and low incomes Poor transport connections Having to access services in Glasgow on a low income Limited access to diverse employment opportunities and support when unwell Page 59
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Drug & Alcohol Service Page 60
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Who can use the service? Anyone affected by their own or someone else's drug or alcohol use. Referrals come from individuals, third sector and statutory Partners. 401 people were referred to the service in 2024 across Argyll and Bute. Page 61
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What does the Service Provide? Our offices in Dunoon based in Ballochyle House, but workers will meet people at home or in the community to suit their needs. People can access: ● 1-1 support and psychosocial interventions to help people identify and implement change ● Group Work ● Support for friends and family ● Needle exchange ● Support to access residential rehabilitation Page 62
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Needle Exchange and Harm Reduction: ● Trained staff will talk through the different equipment options available to you and give you a demonstration on safer injecting techniques. ● pick up free needles and barrels ● return used equipment ● pick up naloxone kits ● click and collect the equipment y Page 63
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Intensive Pre and Post Residential Rehabilitation Support: ● Support you to prepare for and complete a stay within residential rehabilitation services ● Support to sustain recovery back in the community Page 64
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New Developments: ● WithYou will be opening a new building in Rothesay funded by ADP and in partnership with the wider community to provide a recovery focused space. ● Nitazine testing kits available from Oct as part of the harm reduction work ● In the New Year, we will be making the upstairs meeting rooms in Ballochyle house, Dunoon, available for community use and we are keen to work with anyone from the CPP who could help us in making plans for this Page 65
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Need for diverse Alcohol & Drug Services in Cowal: ● The reported average of adults self-reporting to consume hazardous/ harmful amounts of alcohol was 32% for men and 15% for women in Argyll and Bute (broadly the same as Scotland wide) approx 14,000 men and 6,500 women ● Cowal and Bute have a higher level of hospital admission for alcohol related harms than the Scottish average and for elsewhere in Argyll and Bute, Page 66
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● The rate of drug related hospital admissions and drug related deaths in Argyll and Bute has steeply increased in the last 5 year period but is below the Scottish average ● There is a clear socio-economic gradient with alcohol and drug-related admission rates known to increase with area deprivation Source: Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Argyll and Bute HSCP 2024 Page 67
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Particular needs in Cowal for people with substance use issues: Our Outcome Star data shows that people using alcohol and drugs in Argyll and Bute say that the things that are most difficult in their life are poor emotional health and lack of meaningful use of time. Page 68
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Community Assets which would improve outcomes for people across Cowal: ● Free access to physical exercise ● Free public transport ● Integrated provision of alcohol and drug support / employability support / money advice support / wellbeing support Page 69
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When I was discharged from rehab after lapsing I didn't know what to do. I was homeless and had no money. My worker came over right away and supported me to get housing and a crisis grant. Thanks to all the work he did I have now been sober for 9 months" — With you client Page 70
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How to contact Community Links Service: argyllbutelinks@wearewithyou.org.uk Team Lead: Rachel McLean. rachel.mclean@wearewithyou.org.uk How to contact Drug & Alcohol Service in Dunoon: Ballochyle House, Kirk Street Dunoon, PA23 7DP 01369 704406 Service Manager: Yvonne McLeod Yvonne.McLeod@wearewithyou.org.uk Page 71
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For further information: Social Prescribing Information via Voluntary Health Scotland: https://vhscotland.org.uk/a-momentous-three-weeks-for-health-creation-i n-scotland Initiatives showing how to increase community engagement and promote meaningful use of time: https://newstarthighland.org Page 72
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Page 1 of 5 Date: 22 October 2025 Argyll and Bute Climate Action: a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Argyll and Bute. Update to Bute & Cowal Area Community Planning Group 1.0 Purpose This report provides an update on overall progress with the climate change strategy, in particular on three points: • Overall progress • Legacy: progress with developing a legacy proposal, shaped by the Scottish Government’s aspirations for and funding support for Argyll as Climate Ready Region (formerly known as Regional Adaptation Partnership). • Community resilience/emergency plans: initial findings from review of existing plans and engagement with community councils 2.0 Recommendations The ACPG is asked to • Note 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 • Note in particular the significance of the Scottish Government’s aspirations and support for developing an Argyll and Bute Climate Ready Region • Note the initial findings from review and engagement to date on community resilience/emergency plans, and suggest opportunities for sharing learning and best practice. 3.0 Detail 3.1 Overall progress since August ACPG meeting The funded period was originally due to end at the end of October 2025 but the CPP Management Committee agreed to reallocate elements of the budget in order to keep the project manager in post until July 2026 in order to support work on developing legacy proposals and support community councils developing resilience plans. These new deliverables over the extended period are within the same original Page 73 Agenda Item 10a
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Page 2 of 5 budget, although the project has subsequently secured further external (Scottish Government) funding to support specifics relating to the Climate Ready Region. Work with community groups on resilience is due to start in earnest in November but the project officer has been making contact with community councils and other groups across Argyll and Bute to build up a picture of what has been working well and areas on which to concentrate. In the same timeframe, the Scottish Government announced support for Argyll and Bute to develop its own regional climate adaptation partnership, as part of its aspiration for all of Scotland to develop Climate Ready Regions (formerly referred to as regional adaptation partnerships). Bringing forward work on resilience plans and Climate Ready Region development has pushed back completion of the overall Action Plan supporting the climate change strategy, in part due to the time spent on these other workstreams and in part the new workstreams necessarily generate new actions. The target to submit the draft action plan to the Climate Change Working Group and subsequently Management Committee in October is likely to slip into November (this update is written on 22 October) but the target to submit in time for the Management Committee to review at its December meeting and thereafter to publish for consultation remains. The revised timeline submitted to the CPP Management Committee is Page 74
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Page 3 of 5 3.2 Legacy/Ongoing Partnership Work: A Climate Ready Region for Argyll and Bute As noted above, the Scottish Government has provided some funding in the current financial year to support development of a Climate Ready Region for Argyll and Bute. In previous updates this has been referred to as a Regional Adaptation Partnership but the preferred Scottish Government terminology is now Climate Ready Region. The support is for: • Climate literacy and resilience training (to be delivered by Argyll & Bute Climate Action Network) • Officer time and engagement to develop proposals for governance models and business case (ABCAN and CPP Climate Change Manager) • Consultant support for governance and business case development • Plus in kind support from Verture/Adaptation Scotland An invitation to quote for the business case work is on Public Contracts Scotland at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT 541319 and a more detailed briefing and request for expert input to the short term working group to steer the consultants’ work has been circulated round the CPP’s Climate Change Working Group. 3.3 Community resilience/emergency plans The CPP Management Committee agreed that resilience and carbon literacy training should be foremost among the six priority areas for action in the climate change strategy and that a priority action for the climate change project manager should be to make use of available budget (the extended time in post) to support communities on climate change risk aspects of resilience plans. This is will correspond to roughly 20 days per Area if an equal number of days is allocated to each Area. The climate change project manager has reviewed existing resilience/emergency plans (the terms are frequently used interchangeably) where these are available. Some community councils and other groups may have plans that have not been made public and it is emphasised that the project manager is working under a funding agreement with the Council and other CPP funders that includes a confidentiality clause. The project manager has also met community councils or representatives thereof in all four of the Argyll and Bute administrative areas. This has been on the basis of where groups have been able to engage so far and an early task will be to develop a plan to reach as many of the community councils as feasible over the time available. Key findings so far are Page 75
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Page 4 of 5 • My role is to advise on the aspects related to climate change, but in practice these are inseparable from the many other aspects impacting upon community resilience. • I have reviewed all the existing plans that I have access to. While there are common themes, many are out of date, and they vary enormously in depth. • What they have in common is that any resilience planning is better than none. • There is sometimes confusion over terminology and whether a resilience plan is more an emergency plan of a broader social and economic resilience plan or community action plan. It may be useful to use the term “emergency plan” for clarity: the aim is to support and communities’ resilience through developing emergency plans. • Rural and isolated communities are often at greatest risk of being cut off and deprioritised due to low population, but often also have more agency. “Do nothing” while waiting for emergency services is not an option and being able to make call handlers aware that even under best case scenarios, response times are significant is seen as a valuable piece of knowledge to share. • There are widespread concerns about capacity within communities: often it is the same group of volunteers doing everything, and in some areas some 70% of the population are over 65. • On several occasions already meetings have been postponed (3 months plus) because groups are too stretched or a key person is unwell. Other groups have advised that they simply do not have capacity to engage. • Widespread agreement that the most vulnerable should be protected but concerns over GDPR implications of this. There are varying interpretations of the role of the Health & Social Care Partnership and what constitutes a vulnerable person. • HSCP, emergency services and many others do excellent work, including proactive work, much of which can go unnoticed. While there are shortcomings there is also much working well. • There is understandable reluctance to advertise either vulnerability, or conversely ownership of valuable items such as power tools, quad bikes. • Most groups say that during an emergency, people tend to pitch in but outside of emergencies people are concerned about liability issues. People are uncertain to what extent they are covered by a community council’s insurance. • Developing household resilience is highly desirable and InspirAlba and others are doing excellent work but stockpiling supplies and investing in equipment is out of reach of too many vulnerable households. • Flooding is seen as a priority in some areas but in others, the major concern is high wind and associated impacts. • SSEN etc may provide assistance to key groups during emergencies, but concerns over ability to pay and reclaim, or to be able to travel to safer locations. Page 76
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Page 5 of 5 • Concerns with telecoms and especially loss of analogue land lines: a fear expressed at various meetings is “people will die”. Some groups have expressed interest in procuring 2 way radio or satellite phones. Provision of temporary internet, such as from boat owners with satellite internet, has been seen as a very valuable improvised response in some cases. • Community Action Plans and Local Place Plans can offer valuable information and in an ideal world, combining these with developing community resilience plans would be ideal. In practice, some groups have said that they are already overstretched developing their LPPs. • General recognition that emergencies are likely to get more frequent and serious even before bringing in the climate change considerations. Andy Macpherson, Climate Change Project Manager For more information, please contact: Andy Macpherson andy@act-now.org.uk Page 77
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Classification: OFFICIAL Argyll & Bute Climate Action: November 2025 update • Priority areas within the CPP’s ability to control or influence: – Infrastructure [includes natural] – Policy Influence – Skills, Procurement and Supply Chain – Resilience/Carbon Literacy – Risk Assessment – Crosscutting/Other • Ongoing work on action plan, Climate Ready Region (extra SG funding), resilience/emergency planning “We make Argyll and Bute climate ready by acting together to understand and adapt to our changing climate” 1 Page 79
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Classification: OFFICIAL Bute and Cowal Area Community Resilience/Emergency planning • Project manager post extended to Jul 2026 incl support communities’ resilience planning: approx. 20 days per Area • This workstream to start in earnest Nov • Contacting pilot groups across A&B Areas – Strachur, Kilfinan, Sandbank, Dunoon, ColGlen so far in B&C 2 Contact: Andy Macpherson, ACT climate project manager andy@act-now.org.uk Page 80
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Classification: OFFICIAL Findings so far: existing plans, engagement • Confusion over terminology. We mean emergency planning • Severe weather events and impacts getting worse irrespective of views on climate change • Lack of capacity in communities: many households and communities already overstretched • Response times in isolated areas • Who is “vulnerable” and how to protect privacy • Concerns over insurance/liability • Uncertainly over role of HSCP • Comms outages and perception of loss of copper landlines “people will die” • Where to find funding for equipment also kit choices, storage and training • Lots of good work but not always acknowledged • Local knowledge of key threats: not same in all areas • Most isolated areas often have strong skill sets and autonomy • Many areas have strong sense of community and understanding of particular needs • Lessons from covid and previous crises well embedded in some areas • Varying level of detail and ambition in plans but a little preparedness can go a long way • Scottish Govt recognition of importance of community resilience to an Argyll & Bute Climate Ready Region 3 Page 81
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