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Argyll and Bute Council · 13 August 2024
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group — 13 August 2024 and its agenda

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BUTE AND COWAL COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP
HELD BY MICROSOFT TEAMS 
ON TUESDAY, 13 AUGUST 2024 
Present: Jean Moffatt, Bute Community Council (Chair)
Reeni Kennedy-Boyle, Fyne Futures 
Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council 
John McLuckie, Partnerships Lead - Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council
Ailie Law, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council 
Aimie Dow, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council 
Kevin Grant, Senior Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council
Councillor Gordon Blair
Councillor Peter Wallace
Ross McDougall, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Rhona Altin, UHI Argyll
Ann Campbell, Dunoon Community Development Trust
Jennifer Dryden Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership
Olena Mishanina, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership
Lucy Sumsion, NFU Scotland
Chief Inspector Allan Dickson, Police Scotland
Rhyddian Knight, Friends of Glenan Wood
Melony MacLean, ACHA
John Glen, Bute BID
Dorothy McDonald, Bute BID
John Parker, Sandbank Community Development Trust
Thomas McCowan, Dunoon Community Council 
Attending: Councillor William Sinclair
Hugh O’Neill, Network and Standards Manager, Argyll and Bute Council
Rachel McGruer, Scottish Government Place Director
Takki Sulaiman, Argyll and Bute TSI
Nikki Brown, Bute Community Forrest
Andrew Galloway, Local Democracy Reporter, Argyll and Bute 
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made. 
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of: 
Councillor Ross Moreland; 
Councillor Audrey Forrest;
Dee James, Bute and Cowal Living Well Network;
Sergeant Sophie Marshall, Police Scotland;
Rhona Grant, Community Learning Services, Live Argyll;
Janis Marshall Reilly, Argyll and Bute TSI;
Susan MacRae, Skills Development Scotland; and
Becky Hothersall, The Poverty Alliance; 
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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There were no declarations of interest intimated. 
3. MINUTE OF THE BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING
GROUP, HELD ON TUESDAY 30 APRIL 2024 
The Minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group meeting held on
Tuesday 30 April 2024 was approved as a correct record. 
4. ARGYLL AND BUTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP 
(a) Partner Update - Public Health 
Consideration was given to a public health update from Argyll and Bute Health and
Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team on the ongoing wellbeing and
prevention activities overseen and delivered by them in Argyll and Bute. The
update provided information on the positive outcomes from the evaluation of the
Community Link Working Service in Argyll and Bute; Suicide Prevention Activity
aimed at providing resources needed to understand and improve mental health
and understanding and preventing suicide; World Suicide Prevention Day on 10
September; and the Art of hosting at The Living Well Programme. 
The update also provided information on alcohol and drug prevention and early
intervention; families affected by alcohol and drugs; medically assisted treatment
standards; The Argyll and Bute Mat 8 Group and recovery orientated systems of
care. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Report by Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health
and Social Care Partnership and Alcohol and Drug Partnership Coordinator, Argyll
and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, submitted) 
(b) Community Link Working (CLW) in Argyll and Bute 
The Group gave consideration to a presentation on Community Link Working. The
presentation highlighted that Community Link Working is part of Modernising
Primary Care and that Community Link Workers follow a social prescribing model. 
Community Link Workers are embedded in GP Practises and aim to address socio-
economic and person circumstances that affect health and wellbeing to improve
the outcomes for patients and reduce pressure of GP’s time. The presentation also
provided information on the Argyll and Bute Model; the Argyll and Bute Impact; and
client feedback. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Report and Presentation by Public Health Team, Argyll and Bute
Health and Social Care Partnership, submitted)

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(c) Analogue to Digital Switchover and Telecare Update 
Consideration was given to an update in relation to the Analogue to Digital
Telecare Switchover. It was highlighted that all telephone lines within the UK are
migrating from analogue lines to digital ones and that the deadline for this is June
2025 with this being led by industry (the telephone providers). As a consequence
of this Telecare requires to switch analogue devices to ones that are compatible
with a digital telephone line (broadband) or which operate over the mobile signal. 
It was highlighted that there is a programme to swap over all analogue units with
digital ones and that it was currently being rolled out and that the Telecare team
are continuing to focus on those who have already moved onto a digital line and
those who live in areas of very good mobile signal. 
It was noted that 46.5% of all clients in Argyll and Bute currently have a digitally
capable telecare device and that if people do transfer to a digital line but live in an
area with no mobile signal, that they have a work-around solution that enables
them to still have telecare whilst they are awaiting connection via broadband/the
digital line. It was advised that the Telecare team will continue to support both
analogue and digital telecare devices for as long as required and will not be
insisting that people have to be on a digital line in order to receive telecare if they
still have an analogue line in their property. 
Councillor Sinclair highlighted his concerns for what would happen should there be
a power outage, advising that previously with an analogue system you could plug
in an older type of phone and it would work. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group: 
1. considered and noted the information provided; and 
2. noted that in the absence of a representative from the Technology Enabled
Care Team, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting
and any responses circulated to the Group. 
(Reference: Report by TEC Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care
Partnership, submitted) 
5. A815 SANDBANK COMMUNITY EVENT - 30 MAY 2024 
The Group gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Sandbank traffic
management community meeting held on 30 May 2024. The meeting was organised by
Argyll and Bute Roads and Infrastructure Services staff with local community
representatives, elected members and the Sandbank Community Development Trust
invited to attend to discuss various issues including speeding on the A815, general
condition of roads and pavements, pedestrian crossing facilities and on road parking. 
Partners who attended the meeting thanked Hugh O’Neill and his team for the very
informative meeting and advised that they have a better understanding and insight into the
issues around traffic regulations and associated funding pressures.

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Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the update in relation to the
initial meeting between the Sandbank Community Development Trust, local residents,
local elected members and Council officers. 
(Report by Network and Standards Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted) 
6. PARTNER UPDATES 
(a) 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 2024-25. The report included information on the local firefighter training
plan; incidents during this period; unwanted fire alarm signals; road and water
safety campaigns; community engagement activities; East and West
Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Local Senior Officer Activities; and home fire
safety.   
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted) 
(b) Fyne Futures Update 
The Group gave consideration to an update from Reeni Kennedy-Boyle from Fyne
Futures. The update highlighted that Bute Produce had reopened to the public and
that Fyne Futures had held a very successful event on the 21 June which saw over
50 people take part in a range of activities. The update also provided information
on a new programme of activities; Bike Bute activities; ReStyle’s venture into West
Cowal; the Incredible Edible Bute volunteer programme; the Employability
programme which has begun and the Cookery skills programme which is being ran
again. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Fyne Futures, submitted) 
(c) UHI Argyll Update 
Consideration was given to an update from Rhona Altin, UHI Argyll. The update
included information on an open day held in June for applicants and potential
students and activity and information sessions on Early Years education and
funding. The update also provided information on funding received to continue the
multiple programme; forthcoming commercial courses; new courses for the
academic year 2024-25 and the “Keep Warm” project which is up and running.

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Rhona highlighted that students return on the 26 August and that there is still
availability on the Maritime Skills Course, which is a 17 weeks full time course. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Report by UHI Argyll, submitted) 
(d) Argyll and Bute TSI Update 
Consideration was given to an update from Argyll and Bute TSI. The update
provided information on policy activity; local strategic partnerships; TSI Scotland,
contracts, sector support and strategic action plan delivery; the Communities
Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Year 4 grant; General Elections hustings held in
Oban and Helensburgh; the Taking Action on Rural Poverty workshop event held
in June and the Wellbeing Development Manager role. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Report by Argyll and Bute TSI, submitted) 
(e) Live Argyll Community Learning Services Update 
The Group gave consideration to a written update from Rhona Grant, Live Argyll -
Community Learning Services. The update provided information relating to a
celebration day event held in May for adult learners and Youth Services School
Partnership programmes in collaboration with the Scottish Government and other
Scottish Attainment Challenge partners to promote the role of youth work in closing
the poverty-related attainment gap.
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group:
1. considered and noted the information provided; and 
2. noted that in the absence of a representative from Live Argyll Community
Learning Services, any questions could be forwarded to them following the
meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. 
(Reference: Report by Live Argyll Community Learning Services, submitted) 
(f) Opportunity for Verbal Updates 
Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Planning Partnership 
John McLuckie highlighted that a development session had been held with the

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Community Planning Partnership on 26 June where they discussed the proposed
national self-assessment programme for Community Planning Partnerships; the
promotion of the new outcomes improvement plan for Argyll and Bute; approaches
to developing actions needed to deliver the new priority outcomes for the plan and
how the cross cutting themes of Community Wealth Building, Digital Inclusion and
climate change would fit into these actions. 
John advised that the next meeting of the Community Planning Partnership is on
16 September and that the Community Planning team have created a promotional
leaflet and short video to explain what the Community Planning Partnership is and
what the priority outcomes are, to assist partners with promoting the new plan. 
John agreed to circulate details of the promotional materials following the meeting. 
Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Development Team 
Amie Dow highlighted that a free craft workshop for cycling and walking in the dark
was being held on 5 October at the Pier Building in Dunoon in conjunction with the
opening of the Cycle Bothy and that they are also having a treasure hunt in the
Castle Gardens. Amie added that the same workshops are being delivered to
schools on Fridays throughout September. 
Amie further advised that she is currently working with community land managing
organisations across Bute and Cowal and that if partners knew of any community
land managing organisations where food growing is a priority to make her aware of
them. 
Dunoon Community Development Trust 
Ann Campbell highlighted that Dunoon Community Development Trust had now
taken over the lease for Castle House Gate Lodge and would be using it as base
for ‘What’s on Dunoon’ which is a community led events website and that they are,
currently recruiting information volunteers with a planned drop in being held on 21
August at 11am for anyone who is interested in finding out more information.   
(g) Police Scotland Update 
Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing
work of the Service and information on serious and organised crime; acquisitive
crime; road safety and road crime; violent crime; public protection; fraud prevention
and awareness; the work of the Youth Engagement Officer for Bute and Cowal and
the continued work on pro-actively engaging with the public in Cowal and Bute. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted) 
7. PLACE DIRECTORS - SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT 
Consideration was given to a presentation by Rachael McGruer, Place Director at the
Scottish Government. The presentation highlighted that the role of Place Directors is to

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understand how public services can best work together and support partners to work with
communities across Scotland. The presentation also included information on Place
Directors responsibilities; the history of Place Directors with it being highlighted that they
have existed since 2008 and prior to 2022 were known as Location Directors; and
personal involvement such as attendance at CPP meetings and supporting visits for the
Permanent Secretary and Travelling Cabinet. 
Decision   
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Presentation by Place Director, Scottish Government) 
8. COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING IN ARGYLL AND BUTE 
Consideration was given to a presentation by Takki Sulaiman, Argyll and Bute TSI, in
relation to Community Wealth Building. The presentation highlighted what Community
Wealth Building is, related local activities and the actions being taken forward by the CPP
Management Committee to develop and integrate the model. 
Takki encouraged the Group to consider what actions they would like to see to establish
Community Wealth Building within the locality and whether a local Working Group would
be beneficial and whether this would take an athematic or place-based approach;
integrating the Community Wealth Building work into a Local Place Plan or if there were
any training needs of the Group. 
Reeni Kennedy-Boyle advised that she would be interested in getting involved and would
like further discussions on this and what existing community benefits are available across
Argyll and Bute. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Presentation by CEO, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface) 
9. COMMUNITY FOCUS 
(a) Bute Community Forest 
The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Nikki Brown from Bute
Community Forest. Nikki advised that the charity was formed in 2009 and that they
are responsible for the community ownership and management of the forest which
is 160 hectors of mixed woodlands located at the north end of the Isle of Bute.
It was highlighted that that the focus is on responsible management and managing
access and engaging with people in the woodlands through engagement events
and that they work with a number of local and regional groups. 
Nikki provided information of projects undertaken; future plans; events which had
been held and funding received.  
It was highlighted that a Forest Ranger has been in post for just over 2 years and

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that they have partnered with the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Foundation to
deliver a joint crowd funding campaign to raise money to support the continued
Forest Ranger post. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the
information provided. 
(Reference: Presentation by Project Officer, Bute Community Forest) 
10. CLIMATE CHANGE 
(a) Opportunity for verbal updates on community based initiatives 
There were no verbal updates provided under this item. 
11. WATER SAFETY SCOTLAND COMMUNICATION TOOLKITS 
Consideration was given to communication toolkits produced by Water Safety Scotland for
use in developing people’s understanding and awareness of the danger of open water and
enabling safe participation in water-based activities. 
Decision 
The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided for
promoting water safety for kayaking/canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding. 
(Reference: Report by Water Safety Scotland, submitted) 
12. 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 5 November 2024.