Public reports pack
Argyll and Bute Council · 13 August 2024
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group — 13 August 2024 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: 01546605522 DX 599700 LOCHGILPHEAD 6 August 2024 NOTICE OF MEETING A meeting of the BUTE AND COWAL COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP will be held BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on TUESDAY, 13 AUGUST 2024 at 10:00 AM, which you are requested to attend. Douglas Hendry Executive Director BUSINESS 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3. MINUTE OF THE BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP, HELD ON TUESDAY 30 APRIL 2024 (Pages 3 - 14) 4. ARGYLL AND BUTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP (a) Partner Update - Public Health (Pages 15 - 18) 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 (b) Community Link Working (CLW) in Argyll and Bute (Pages 19 - 22) Report by Public Health Team, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (c) Analogue to Digital Switchover and Telecare Update (Pages 23 - 28) Report by TEC Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Public Document Pack
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5. A815 SANDBANK COMMUNITY EVENT - 30 MAY 2024 - TO FOLLOW Report by Network and Standards Manager, Argyll and Bute Council 6. PARTNER UPDATES (a) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Update (Pages 29 - 34) (b) Fyne Futures Update (Pages 35 - 36) (c) UHI Argyll Update (Pages 37 - 38) (d) Argyll and Bute TSI Update (Pages 39 - 42) (e) Live Argyll Community Learning Services Update (Pages 43 - 46) (f) Opportunity for Verbal Updates 7. PLACE DIRECTORS - SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Presentation by Rachel McGruer, Scottish Government 8. COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING IN ARGYLL AND BUTE Presentation by CEO, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface 9. COMMUNITY FOCUS (a) Bute Community Forest Presentation by Bute Community Forest 10. CLIMATE CHANGE (a) Opportunity for verbal updates on community based initiatives 11. WATER SAFETY SCOTLAND COMMUNICATION TOOLKITS (Pages 47 - 52) Report by Partnerships Lead – Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council 12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 5 November 2024. Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group Reeni Kennedy-Boyle (Vice-Chair) Jean Moffat (Chair) Contact: Julieann Small, Democratic Services Assistant - 01546 604043
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BUTE AND COWAL COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP HELD BY MICROSOFT TEAMS ON TUESDAY, 30 APRIL 2024 Present: Jean Moffatt, Bute Community Council (Chair) Reeni Kennedy-Boyle, Fyne Futures Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Rona Gold, Communities and Partnership Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Ailie Law, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council Aimie Dow, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council Susan Tuite, Senior Welfare Rights Officer, Argyll and Bute Council Councillor Ross Moreland Councillor Gordon Blair Councillor Peter Wallace Sergeant Sophie Marshall, Police Scotland Tony McGloin Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Rhona Altin, UHI Argyll Robert Trybis, Dunoon Gourock Ferry Action Group Ann Campbell, Dunoon Community Development Trust Janis Marshall Reilly, Argyll and Bute TSI Rhona Grant, Community Learning Services, Live Argyll Alex Wilde, Shaping Places for Wellbeing, Improvement Service Jenny Dryden, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Tom McCowan, Dunoon Community Council Dee James, Bute and Cowal Living Well Network Rhyddian Knight, Friends of Glenan Wood Attending: Councillor William Sinclair Councillor Audrey Forrest Takki Sulaiman, Argyll and Bute TSI Iona Tytler, Castle House Museum Jamie Joyce, ACT 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: Melony MacLean, Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA); Becky Hothersall, The Poverty Alliance; John Parker, Sandbank Community Development Trust; and Inspector Bart Simonis, Police Scotland. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. Page 3 Agenda Item 3
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3. MINUTES (a) Meeting of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group held on 6 February 2024 The Minutes of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 6 February 2024 were approved as a correct record. 4. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee held on 10 April 2024. Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, highlighted the Management’s Committee response to an issue raised by the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group in relation to proposals for Greenock Police Station and that Pippa Milne, Chief Executive at Argyll and Bute Council had encouraged the ACPG members to contact Police Scotland directly on this issue. The update also advised of a proposed new governance structure for the Community Planning Partnership to assist in delivering actions from the Argyll and Bute Outcomes Improvement Plan (ABOIP); updates to the Transport Infrastructure, Housing and Community Wellbeing ABOIP outcomes; and progress with relevant projects, including an update to the Terms of Reference for the Climate Change Working Group. Rona Gold, Community Planning Manager, provided clarification in relation to discussions about the governance structure of the Community Planning Partnership, having noted some disagreements with the proposals expressed at the Management Committee meeting and within a report that featured on the agenda for this meeting. It was highlighted that no decisions had been made in relation to this matter and partners would be working together to ensure that the meetings taking place were meaningful, and allowed as much time and resource as possible for action and progress on the ABOIP outcomes. It was noted that a development session with CPP partners would be held in June, and details of this session would be circulated to relevant partners in due course. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 30 April 2024, submitted) 5. UPDATE ON COMMUNITY COUNCIL INTERIM BY-ELECTIONS Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the membership of community councils in the Bute and Cowal area following the closure of the nomination period for the interim by-elections. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. Page 4
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(Reference: Report by Governance Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 30 April 2024, submitted) 6. ARGYLL AND BUTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP - PUBLIC HEALTH (a) The Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2023 (NHS Highland) : 'Medication & Public Health - Do the Right Thing' Consideration was given to a public health update from NHS Highland. The update focussed on The Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2023 (NHS Highland): ‘Medication & Public Health – Do the Right Thing. The report examined public health challenges and the benefits and drawback of prescribed medicines, with a focus on escalating levels of pharmacotherapy and its impacts on both individuals, and the population and their environment, including the rise of antibiotic resistance and the environmental pollution caused by medicines. The report also provided information on the following key issues: The Environment: How medication can make out environment sicker; Hepatitis C: How medication is transforming treatment and prevention; Social Prescribing: How an alternative to medication can work; and Prescriptions for Pain: How medication can have long- lasting effects on public health. A case study regarding how medication and other measures can work together to improve health was also considered. It was noted that a copy of the presentation provided to the Group would be circulated by e-mail following the meeting. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Health Improvement Senior, NHS Highland, submitted) 7. SOCIAL CARE FOR ADULTS AND OLDER PEOPLE IN BUTE AND COWAL The Vice-Chair highlighted that a paper had been presented to the Health and Social Care Partnership last month in relation to the service provision for adults and older people and advised that she wished to capture people’s thoughts on this topic. The Vice-Chair posed several questions to partners with responses detailed below: 1. What experience does your group or organisation have of supporting Social Care for Adults and old people in Bute and Cowal? Dee James advised that she has experience through the Living Well Networks as well as through the Cowal Elderly Befrienders and Interloch Community Transport and that the Living Well Network do a significant amount of networking with both groups. Councillor Forrest suggest that Crossroad Caring for Carers would be a good group to contact in relation to this. 2. How would you describe your partnership relationship with the Health and Social Care Partnership and what is your channels for communicating and engaging with the HSCP? Page 5
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Dee James advised that her channel for communicating and engaging with the HSCP is through the Living Well Network. Dee advised that they are involved in sending out surveys to members and feeding the information back to the HSCP. Rhona Grant advised that Live Argyll have some links into the HSCP through the Health and Wellbeing side of their work and through the CLD Strategic Partnership. Rhona advised that she would provide further information to the Vice-Chair following the meeting. Dee James advised that the Strachur Hub have a great model and is part of the network and that they would be a good group to contact. 3. Thinking about a review and service redesign process – what would good consultation process look like to you? Dee James advised that the process should be driven by members. Dee highlighted that TSI would have to be involved as they support the organisations and that the health and wellbeing work being done by Alex Wilde should also feed into the consultation. Takki Sulaiman advised that he was happy to help in any way he could with the next steps advising that the TSI have a range of networks ready to help when required. Councillor Forrest advised that a good consultation has to be personal and that people need to go to where the adults and older people are, who are using the services and those that are delivering it. Ann Campbell advised that Dunoon Community Development Trust have been developing a model of consultation using community connectors who are trained local people who are paid to engage with those people whose voices are not as regularly heard. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group requested that the outcome of the discussion be passed to the Health and Social Care Partnerships Locality Planning Group to help inform the review process. (Reference: Discussion facilitated by Vice-Chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group) 8. ARGYLL COMMUNITY HOUSING ASSOCIATION ANNUAL UPDATE Consideration was given to an annual report from Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) which provided information in relation to their stock in the Bute and Cowal area; investment programmes; the Warm Homes Fund projects; a review of ACHA’s sheltered housing services; allocation and re-letting of properties; works completed and planned through the Exemplar Estates Initiative; opportunities for communities to engage with planned Estate Walkabouts; an ongoing consultation on ACHA’s Customer Involvement Strategy; welfare rights services; adaptations for vulnerable customers; success at the Scotland Housing Awards, Scottish Energy Efficiency Awards and Tenant Advisory Service Nation Excellence Awards; awards for local schools as part of ACHA’s 10 10 10 initiative; and the feedback from customer satisfaction surveys. Page 6
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The report also encouraged applications to ACHA’s Community Action Fund, advising that a number of awards from the Fund had already benefitted local groups. 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 Argyll Community Housing Association, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Local Manager, Argyll Community Housing Association, dated 1 April 2024, submitted) 9. PARTNER UPDATES (a) Police Scotland Update Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on crime statistics; fraud prevention and awareness; road safety and the new Youth Engagement Officer for Bute and Cowal. The update also provided information relating to the Recovery Community meeting which was attended by Officers and a meeting with Live Argyll to discuss their Literacy and Numeracy project for adults on the Isle of Bute. Councillor Sinclair raised road safety concerns on the A815 through Sandbank. The Committee Manager advised that the Community Planning Group had asked for an update on potential road safety measures in relation to Sandbank and that the Roads and Infrastructure Officers, supported by the Community Development Team, would hold a stakeholder event to discuss the matter and that the outcome of this event would be subject to further discussion and consideration at a future meeting of the Community Planning Group. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted) (b) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Update The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ4 review of local performance across Bute and Cowal for the period 2023-24. 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. Tony McGloin advised that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was currently running a survey on the future of the service and that community engagement Page 7
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events would be held in fire stations across Scotland. Further information on the survey can be found at: Shaping Our Future Service: Your Say - Scottish Fire and Rescue Services - Citizen Space Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted) (c) Dunoon Gourock Ferry Action Group Update Consideration was given to a presentation by Robert Trybis from the Dunoon Gourock Ferry Action Group. Mr Trybis highlighted that the summer tickets for the Dunoon Gourock town passenger service have risen and are now 46% more than the significantly longer Wemyss Bay to Rothesay crossing and that with major works planned on the A82 and A83, ferry provision to the town is inadequate. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Information Officer, Dunoon Gourock Ferry Action Group, submitted) (d) Scenic Sandbank Update Consideration was given to a report providing an update on the work of Scenic Sandbank. It was highlighted that following a successful financial award from the Scottish Land Fund and lengthy negotiations with Argyll & Bute Council, Scenic Sandbank had recently completed the acquisition of the former primary school site in the centre of the village for the purposes of a community garden. The update also highlighted that clearance of invasive plant species from the land was expected to be underway shortly and with the assistance of local volunteers and contributions, the garden would be developed through the summer months and in time would be growing flowers and vegetables and serve as a community meeting space for all. 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 Scenic Sandbank, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Director, Scenic Sandbank, submitted) (e) Oakbank Community Inn Sandbank Update The Group gave consideration to an update on the work of the Oakbank Page 8
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Community Inn Sandbank. The update highlighted that the Group was presently at Stage 2 of a two stage process to obtain finances from the Scottish Land Fund for the purpose of acquiring the Oakbank hotel/pub as a community facility. It was advised that initial funding had been received for preparation of a valuation survey, condition survey, feasibility study and business plan with work on the latter ongoing. 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 Oakbank Community Inn Sandbank, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Director, Oakbank Community Inn Sandbank, submitted) (f) UHI Argyll Update Consideration was given to an update from Rhona Altin, UHI Argyll. The update included information on the Big College Open Week which was well attended with around 90 people visiting the centres; the success of the multiply programme and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses; commercial courses being ran in May and June; the MCR Pathways Programme which many UHI Argyll staff have volunteered for and the plan to reintroduce the “Keep Warm” project. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by UHI Argyll, dated 22 January 2024, submitted) (g) Live Argyll Community Learning Services Update The Group gave consideration to an update from Rhona Grant, Live Argyll - Community Learning Services. The update provided information relating to adult literacy and numeracy provision; the newly elected MSYPs for Argyll and Bute; Youth Services on Bute; the published report from the HMI Community Learning and Development Progress Visit of Argyll and Bute Council in January 2024; the Community Learning and Development Strategic Partnership Plan 2021-2024 and the independent review of Community Learning and Development . Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Live Argyll Community Learning Services, submitted) (h) Argyll and Bute TSI Update Consideration was given to a report from Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface Page 9
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(TSI), which provided an update on actions taken during financial quarter four of 2023-24. The update included information in relation to changes to the Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023; local strategic partnerships; the Community Wealth Building report; Community Planning Partnership organisational changes; funding for 2024-2025; the Funders Fayre 2024 held in Oban; a fourth year of funding of the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund; TSI Board member recruitment; testing of new models of co-location; work by the Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network; the Sustainable Food Partnership online event; consultations on a new strategy and a local sustainable funding campaign; research proposal for mapping Argyll and Bute’s early intervention services; and TSI’s hosting of a Wellbeing Development Manager post, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and the Health and Social Care Partnership. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by CEO, Argyll and Bute TSI, submitted) (i) Opportunity for Verbal Updates Fyne Futures Reeni Kennedy-Boyle advised that Fyne Futures have an awards for all project running this year, looking at 3 different projects connected to growing and sharing food in the community. Reeni advised that Fyne Futures are working with primary schools on a project called ‘pizza in a barrel’ which is about growing plant based ingredient for making pizza and that the kids are doing projects in their school looking at soil health and climate change. Reeni also highlighted that they are looking at growing plants that can be used for dyes and that they are working with a local artist who is looking to make her art more sustainable and climate friendly by moving to natural pigments. It was noted that Fyne Futures are hoping to run the Employability programme again this year after it success last year. Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Development Team Ailie Law highlighted that the Supporting Communities fund closed on the 18th March and that the team were currently assessing the 32 applications which were received, with the associated reported being prepared for consideration at the Area Committee in June. Ailie also advised that if partners were interested in any of the previous projects funded by the Supporting Communities Fund that case studies are available on the website. Dunoon Community Development Trust Ann Campbell highlighted that the Trust recently had been successful in securing funding from the Living and Thriving Spaces which is awarded by Argyll and Bute Council. Ann also advised that the Trust are working in partnership with Struan Lodge care home to establish a food growing site and therapeutic garden in the grounds for residents. Ann also advised that the Trust are working with Argyll and Bute Council to agree Page 10
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a lease for Castle House Gate Lodge and that their partners, Cycling UK and the Bothy Project, would be sharing the space. Ann advised that they had been supporting an active travel network and are working with partners to develop a behaviour change plan. Friends of Glenan Wood Rhyddian Knight advised that the updated Friends of Glenan Wood website was now live (Friends of Glenan Wood) and that they are really happy with it. Rhyddian highlighted that there is a full programme of volunteer opportunities throughout the year and a full calendar of events on the website and that they now have funding for travel for volunteers and community groups to take part in the volunteer opportunities. 10. WELFARE RIGHTS, ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Consideration was given to a presentation by Susan Tuite, Senior Welfare Rights Officer. The presentation included information on the welfare rights service; their aims and roles; what information/advice and help they can provide; 2023/24 highlights; partnership working; community engagement; customer satisfaction; what’s happening in 2024/25 and information on how to contact the Welfare Rights team. The Committee Manager advised that the Bute and Cowal Area Committee are trustees of the Lamont Bequest which is open to applicants who are in receipt of a qualifying benefit and are over the age of 16 and reside in the area of Kilfinan with a postcode of PA21. It was noted that successful individual applicants would receive £50 while those that are applying on behalf of their family would receive £100. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation by Senior Welfare Rights Officer, Argyll and Bute Council) 11. COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING IN ARGYLL AND BUTE - A FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION Consideration was given to a report and presentation in relation to Community Wealth Building. The report confirmed that the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee formally received the Community Wealth Building report commissioned in 2023 at its meeting of 10th April 2024. It was highlighted that the recommendations in the report were categorised in five sections: spending; workforce; inclusive ownership; finance; and land and property. It was noted that the Community Planning Partnership had requested that Area Community Planning Group provide feedback in relation to the implementation and priority actions identified in the report and appendices. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group: Page 11
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1. noted that a steering group of CPP partners oversaw the delivery and production of the two reports at Appendix 1 and 2; 2. agreed to forward any comments on implementation and priority actions within the final report Community Wealth Building in Argyll and Bute: A framework for action at appendix 1 following the meeting to the Committee Manager to pass to the CEO, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface for consideration and action as appropriate; and 3. agreed to forward any comments on the implementation and priority actions within the two ‘Models of Opportunity’ at appendix 2 following the meeting to the Committee Manager to pass to the CEO, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface for consideration and action as appropriate. (Reference: Report by CEO, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, dated 30 April 2024, submitted) 12. BUTE AND COWAL LIVING WELL NETWORK Due to the time constraints it was agreed to continue consideration of this item to the next meeting. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group agreed to continue consideration of this item to the next meeting. 13. SHAPING PLACES FOR WELLBEING Consideration was given to a report and presentation from Alex Wilde, Shaping Places for Wellbeing Dunoon. The update provided information on how they share their learning; Place and Wellbeing outcomes; Project Town activities; how they use data and evidence; Place and Wellbeing Assessments and associated recommendations. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Report and presentation by Project Lead, Shaping Places for Wellbeing, submitted) 14. COMMUNITY FOCUS (a) Castle House Museum The Group gave consideration to a presentation from Iona Tytler, Castle House Museum. Iona advised that the Museum opened in 1998, and is a registered charity ran by Dunoon and Cowal Heritage Trust and that the objective of the Museum has always been to share and preserve the rich history of the local area. It was highlighted that they have an ongoing memory box project which aims to highlight the value of heritage in supporting a sense of place and in connecting people across the area with bookings for memory boxes available from June onwards. Page 12
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Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation by Museum Assistant, Castle House Museum) 15. CLIMATE CHANGE (a) Argyll and Bute Climate Action: developing a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Argyll and Bute The Group gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Community Planning Partnership’s Argyll And Bute Climate Action project: developing a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Argyll and Bute. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group noted the approach and status of the project as outlined in the report. (Reference: Report by Climate Change Project Manager, dated 16 April 2024, submitted) (b) ACT Climate Change Update Consideration was given to a presentation from Jamie Joyce from ACT. Jamie highlighted that the ABCAN hub model was now established with a delivery team made up from community organisations, freelancers and ACT employees who were delivering community climate engagement in all 4 administrative areas. The presentation included information on funding distributed to groups that are involved in climate change projects; the creation of the Argyll & Bute Specific Carbon Literacy Training Course; the delivery of 3 regional climate assemblies, focussing on Energy, Housing, and Food; the new ABCAN website and online network and ABCAN Aims for 2024/25. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation by ACT Now Project Manager and ABCAN Team Lead) (c) Opportunity for verbal updates on community based initiatives There were no verbal updates provided under this item. 16. 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 13 August 2024. Page 13
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1 Argyll & Bute Community Planning Partnership Area Community Planning Group Partnership update Date: July 2024 Partner update – Public Health Community Link Workers Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership is pleased to publish the most recent evaluation of the Community Link Working service in Argyll and Bute, which shows positive outcomes from the service for patients, GP practices and our communities. The service started in December 2021 and is provided by Third Sector Partner ‘We Are With You’. Community Link Workers recognise that social issues such as debt, relationships, employment, and loneliness affect people’s health and wellbeing, and will connect people to sources of support or resources within their community. The service can currently be accessed through referral or self-referral from 12 GP practices across Argyll and Bute. The evaluation found that the service received 975 referrals since 2021, with the highest number of referrals for mental health and wellbeing; loneliness and isolation; financial advice; and stress management. Community Link Workers were able to work with people to connect them to support, teach self-management and reduce barriers to accessing appropriate services. 90% of people who received the service experienced a positive change in their health and wellbeing. The service has been developed in line with the modernisation and expansion of services delivered in GP practices, resulting in multidisciplinary teams working together to support people holistically and improve outcomes for patients. Work is currently underway to expand the service and look at how it can be provided in more remote and rural areas, in collaboration with GP practices and those living in those communities. The evaluation paper will be supplied for inclusion in the ACPG papers, it is also available at: Community Link Working (CLW)-4pgs-v3-FINAL (scot.nhs.uk) Suicide Prevention Activity In alignment with "Creating Hope Together: Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2022-2025," Argyll and Bute HSCP has a project aimed at providing the resources needed to understand and improve mental health, and understanding and preventing suicide. This will include: • Training provision: from September a number of courses/workshops will be available across Argyll and Bute including; Scottish Mental Health First Aid, Page 15 Agenda Item 4a
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2 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, “Ask, Tell”, and First Aid for Youth Mental Health. • A communications plan has been developed to promote signposting to mental health services. We will distribute printed materials and downloadable resources from reliable sources to raise awareness about available support. • Collaboration with national partners including; Breathing Space, Penumbra, Samaritans, Change Mental Health, and others to disseminate reliable educational resources, training, and support options. • We will also collaborate with a range of partners in Argyll and Bute including health and social care staff, education staff, debt and money advice services, community justice, addiction services among others. We will also collaborate with private sector businesses to ensure widespread dissemination of mental health resources, suicide prevention training, and crisis support. World Suicide Prevention Day We are asking for partners support for World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September. Let's light up our buildings in purple or teal to raise awareness and show our commitment to preventing suicide and promoting mental health. Why this matters: World Suicide Prevention Day, established by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and World Health Organisation (WHO), focuses on reducing stigma and spreading the message that suicides are preventable. The theme for WSPD 2024-2026, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” encourages us to shift from silence to openness and support. How you can help: By lighting up your buildings, you can help draw attention to this critical issue. The colours purple and teal symbolise support and awareness for suicide prevention efforts. Get Involved: If you would like to participate in this important initiative, please contact Olena Mishanina at olena.mishanina@nhs.scot to promote your involvement. Together, we can illuminate the importance of mental health and make a difference in our communities. Thank you for your support! Art of hosting at The Living Well Programme The Living Well Programme Board vision is people in Argyll and Bute living longer, healthier, independent lives. The board identified a need to bring together its wide range of partners to explore how we collectively address major issues affecting Scotland’s rural and island communities. They came together in early June at Barmolloch Farm and explored the key questions: • How can we work together to meet the wellbeing needs of our communities during these times of rising demands and fewer resources? • How can our shared knowledge and resourcefulness best support the most vulnerable across our rural and island areas? Using the World Cafe method from the Art of Hosting, appreciative inquiry, the circle- way method, and various other methods, participants discussed these pressing Page 16
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3 issues and shared their collective feedback. In collaboration with New Possibilities, a short film was created to showcase the event’s highlights and key findings. You can watch the video at: Art of Hosting at The Living Well Programme | Rural Social Enterprise Hub (ruralsehub.net) Alcohol and Drug Partnership Update Prevention and Early Intervention The ADP Support Team has been receiving 6 monthly progress reports on the grants issued in last financial year. 12 applications were successful in receiving grant funding to deliver prevention, early intervention and address stigma. The progress reports have demonstrated the wide range of fantastic work that has been carried out across Argyll and Bute. The ADP funding supported initiatives for children and young people, families affected by alcohol and drugs and people in recovery. Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) have been carrying out phase one of the commissioned work in Argyll and Bute to support implementation of Whole Family Approach. The high level goal of this work is to grow a model of family support that is connected and effective, utilises community assets, sustains, strengthens and up skills communities to create a cohesive and effective Whole Family Approach. Phase one has involved sharing information about the work, building relationships and engaging stakeholders. As part of the initial phase of this project engagement events were held in Inveraray to facilitate conversations, identify opportunities to strengthen support for families, in ways that work for both the families themselves and the dedicated people in the services. The events looked at why families affected by alcohol/drug harm need support, who do we mean by ‘families affected', what does support look like and where stakeholders see opportunities to improve support. The engagement events, together with an audit of services available in Argyll and Bute will help shape the partnership plan and identify people and organisations that can be further involved in the Whole Families Approach. Medically Assisted Treatment Standards The National Benchmarking Report was published in July and provides an Page 17
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4 assessment of the progress on implementation of the MAT Standards 1 to 10 as of April 2024. National benchmarking report on the implementation of the medication assisted treatment (MAT) standards: Scotland 2023/24 revised 30 July 2024 - National benchmarking report on implementation of the medication assisted treatment (MAT) standards - Publications - Public Health Scotland Further resources that have been produced includes a short video that provides the perspectives of the MAT Standards by a person with lived experience of substance use, a family member and a member of staff working in a service and the map that shows the progress of ADPs in Scotland to meet the MAT standards. Access to these resources can be obtained using the link below: https://publichealthscotland.scot/our-areas-of-work/health-harming- commodities/substance-use/treatment/medication-assisted-treatment-mat- standards/resources/ MAT 8 Groups The Argyll and Bute MAT 8 Group, formed in 2023 has representation from Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service (LAAS), Argyll and Bute Council Welfare Service, Argyll and Bute Council Housing, Carr Gomm, Argyll and Bute Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services (DARS), the Cowal Response Service and With You. The Group was established to implement MAT Standard 8, which is; all people have access to independent advocacy and support for housing, welfare and income needs. Priority Actions agreed include trauma informed practice, a service resource list, and strengthening networks to use the referral pathways. A leaflet explaining the services in Argyll and Bute in relation to MAT 8 and a pathways diagram has been produced and a “Meet the MAT 8 Team” Webinar was held in June to help raise awareness MAT standards. The MAT 8 leaflet can be viewed at this link: https://www.argyllandbuteadp.info/img/MAT8_leaflet_version_5_(3).pdf . Recovery Orientated Systems of Care (ROSC) Argyll and Bute Community Learning and Development colleagues are delivering work to support ROSC communities in Argyll and Bute. This newly developed program aims to provide a dedicated resource to strengthen ROSC communities and ensuring their input to ADP plans and priorities. REPORT AUTHOR AND CONTACT Author Names: Rory Munro, Health Improvement Lead & Laura Stephenson, Alcohol and Drug Partnership Coordinator. Email: nhsh.abhealthimprovement@nhs.scot Page 18
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in Argyll and Bute What do Community Link Workers do in Argyll & Bute? Community Link Working (CLW) The CLW service works directly with patients to enhance their wellbeing, with the aim of addressing the wider determinants of health, tackling financial exclusion and focusing on populations from the most deprived areas, helping them access services and connect with third sector providers. establish effective pathways for improved service access; foster professional links with public health services; collaborate closely with GP practices; work to raise awareness of social prescribing; identify & address gaps in community provision. follow a person-centred social prescribing approach; CLWs focus on addressing the underlying causes & stressors that negatively impact the health & wellbeing of the individual; Referrals & case management occur through integration of GP Vision systems using Elemental software for social prescribing. (Practices using EMIS systems can access Elemental via a web-based process.) Ways to access Argyll & Bute’s CLW Service Self referral OR be referred by any member of the primary care team (GP, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, or optician). 14 of 32 GP practices involved 3.6 WTE Community Link Workers 975 referrals 84% engagement rate *Data Dec 2021 to Mar 2024 Argyll & Bute’s CLW Contract Dec 2021 to Dec 2024* Find out more at: www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/health-and-wellbeing/social-prescribing Pg 1/4 Watch our video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzTAdEAh6_4 Page 19 Agenda Item 4b
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Strategic selection of GP Practices based upon the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) deciles. Focusing on areas of higher socioeconomic deprivation (living within decile 5 and under). Community Link Working (CLW) in Argyll and Bute (Continued) Argyll & Bute’s CLW model Argyll and Bute HSCP has contracted the independent provider ‘We Are With You’ to deliver the CLW service for the region. CLW Service based within GP practices. CLWs work directly with patients to navigate & engage with wider community services, fostering a person-centred approach. Service includes diverse approaches to assess individuals’ health & wellbeing needs, collaborate on a customised plan to encourage self-management, and provide guidance to access relevant community services Face-to-face or telephone sessions Motivational interviewing to assess individuals’ needs MAP (Motivation, Action & Prompts) health behaviour change model to structure behavioural change consultations Plan of action designed with the individual based on outcomes of above sessions, with patients referred to appropriate community services, third sector organisations, & financial support services, etc. No. of sessions tailored to individual need mins.60 Avg. session length: CLWs work collaboratively to create a customised plan to support clients with their underlying issues & client circumstances. As CLWs engage with clients they often uncover a complex web of interconnected problems & challenges through holistic assessment. CLWs play a pivotal role in connecting clients to appropriate services, through signposting & providing support to reduce any barriers in reaching out to them. Pg 2/4 Aligns with overarching goal of addressing health disparities & catering to individuals facing complex socioeconomic challenges. Page 20
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*Data listed for Apr 2023 to Mar 2024 Housing & essential needs Bereavement Substance misuse Long-term condition management Employment & training Relationship breakdown Pain management Family support CarerWeight management Learning disability Disability Sleep support Physical activity 52% Mental health & wellbeing 18% Loneliness & isolation 15% Financial advice 13% Stress management Social prescriptions per quarter 180-250 Reasons for referrals & social prescriptions* Community Link Working (CLW) in Argyll and Bute (Continued) The outcome of the service is evaluated for each patient using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS). The survey is administered at the initial session, and again at the conclusion of the final session. 90% of those who completed the SWEMWBS experienced a positive change in their health & wellbeing A high level of change was found across all respondents, with a change of: +5.08 The Results (A change of between 1 to 3 points on the SWEMWBS scale meets the threshold for statistically significant change.) Note: Where clients attend only 1-2 sessions, it is too short a timescale to measure change on the SWEMWBS. Also, some do not attend their final session, meaning they do not complete an exit SWEMWBS. The above results are based upon the 58% of clients who have left the CLW service having completed an initial and exit SWEMWBS survey. *Shah, N., Cader, M., Andrews, W. P. et al., Responsiveness of the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS): evaluation a clinical sample. Health Qual Life Outcomes 16, 239 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-018-1060-2 Pg 3/4 points on the SWEMWBS scale Page 21
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Find out more at: www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/health-and-wellbeing/social-prescribing Community Link Working (CLW) in Argyll and Bute (Continued) Client Feedback ‘The Links Worker was my lifeline.’ ‘I have Dr X to thank for the best referral any doctor has given me. The CLW allowed me to talk, get upset, and be non- judgemental. I’d never have thought 4 months ago I’d have improved so much.’ ‘If it wasn’t for the [service], I wouldn’t be on this journey to better myself and move on from the past [..] that has been haunting me for years .’ ‘I felt that pills on their own were not the answer to my problems.’ ‘It has certainly helped me through a very dark time in my life.’ ‘Definitely feel that having the link worker support me and help me find the correct resources has made a huge difference and achieved so much. I am very grateful for the time, effort and compassion that was shown to me and I feel like a lot of people would really benefit from the same experience I had.’ ‘I felt I had an ally navigating lots of things I could not have done alone. An invaluable resource. Dignified [..]. I felt listened to & understood regarding my difficulties, as they are hidden ones.’ ‘I was feeling frustrated by answers of others’ to my housing problems, but [the CLW] instilled a confidence I thought I’d lost & was concise & professional in handling the housing issues I had.’ GP Practice Feedback Practices find the CLW service ‘invaluable’ & ‘very helpful’. ‘CLW ’X’ is worth their weight in gold. [...] We don’t want to lose this service.’ They also value the flexibility of the service e.g. being able to do house visits. ‘The Link Worker has an excellent knowledge of services available to patients dealing with social problems, taking work off GPs & other practice staff.’ Recognised some challenges with embedding the service as it was strange having a member of staff present who wasn’t employed by the practice, but this has now largely been overcome. ‘I am really pleased with the availability of the Live Well WIth Pain group.’ The ability for anyone in the practice to refer is valued, as is the option to self-refer. Also, the referral process is easy. Practices reported the service was ‘a good service’, ‘well established’ & ‘vital’. Perceptions of integration varied between areas and integration was a challenge when CLWs worked remotely from more rural practices. CLW Feedback However, overall, feedback was very positive from CLWs who felt welcomed in practices and enjoying being able to make a difference as part of the practice team. Pg 4/4 Page 22
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Analogue to Digital Switchover and Telecare All telephone lines within the UK are migrating from traditional copper analogue lines to digital ones and the deadline for this is June 2025. This is led by industry (the telephone providers) due to the costs of maintaining the analogue lines. The original deadline was for December 2025, however, BT have extended this deadline to the 31st January 2027. It is important to note though that the other telephone providers have not extended the 2025 deadline, just BT. The switch to digital lines has an impact on telecare and we need to swap over all analogue devices to ones that are compatible with a digital telephone line (broadband) or which operate over the mobile signal. It is important to note that at this time, connection over broadband is not yet possible as the technology at the supplier end is not yet able to connect in this method. We expect this to be operational in the coming months but this is not something that we have control over. We have a programme to swap over all analogue units with digital ones and are currently rolling this out, which will happen over the next 18 months. We 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. 46.5% of all clients in Argyll and Bute currently have a digitally capable telecare device. This currently breaks down as follows: • Bute – 62% • Cowal – 53% • Helensburgh and Lomond – 45% • Islay and Jura – 35% • Kintyre – 38% • Mid Argyll – 48% • Oban and Lorn – 37% • Mull – 25% • Tiree, Coll and Colonsay – 60% We have mapped out every telecare client in Argyll and Bute against the Ofcom mobile signal checker to make sure that we are putting in the right solution at the right time for clients. For our telecare clients who live in areas of poor mobile signal, we are deliberately not switching analogue units at this time until a connection over broadband is available to ensure that telecare clients are still able to receive a working telecare service. If people do go to a digital line but live in an area with no mobile signal, we have a work-around solution that enables them to still have telecare whilst we await connection via broadband/the digital line. This is currently being utilised by 17 clients Page 23 Agenda Item 4c
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across Argyll and Bute. However, there have been a couple of occasions where this has failed (with Sky customers) and as a result, we are no longer able to provide a telecare service until connection over broadband is possible. BT have committed to not switching vulnerable customers including the elderly and telecare users until the end of the switchover period or until we can confirm to BT that the client has a working digital telecare solution in place. Like other local authorities/HSCPs across Scotland, we have signed a Data Sharing Agreement with BT so that they can ringfence the phone numbers of telecare clients and ensure they are not migrated ahead of schedule. Our advice to anyone at this time who lives in an area of poor mobile signal and requires telecare is to tell BT that they require an analogue line for telecare as the mobile signal is poor and that they require to be left until last in terms of migrating over to a digital line. We communicate regularly through newsletters to all telecare clients and ask them to make us aware if they move to a digital line. When it comes to changing the device over to a digital one as part of the roll-out, the TEC team will be in contact with the individual or their families where appropriate to make the arrangements to switch the device in advance. For people who live in an area of poor mobile signal and where there are no current plans for fibre broadband, BT have recently launched a new product which utilises the copper line from the exchange to the property and the digital switch occurs within the exchange. This was launched in March 2024 and BT have acknowledged that this is currently planned to be a temporary solution, (current end date is 2027). We have asked BT what the solution will be once this date has passed with no answer as yet. We 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 the property. Our key ask of all partners supporting telecare clients is to: • Inform the team if someone has moved to a digital line so we can ensure their telecare is working – 01546 605517 • Remind telecare clients to do a monthly test call to ensure it is working and let us know if any issues • Ask clients to ensure the telephone provider knows they have telecare to try and avoid any forced migrations unless the client wishes to move to a digital line Samantha Somers TEC Lead, Samantha.somers@argyll-bute.gov.uk June 2024 Page 24
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A guide to Digital Voice Digital Voice is BT’s new home phone service, powered by your broadband connection What about customers with additional needs? BT is taking extra time and will provide additional support to customers who identify as vulnerable or with additional needs to ensure they are ready to move to a digital landline. All local authorities and telecare providers have been asked to share which phone lines have telecare devices on them, and BT isencouraging any vulnerable customers who have concerns or who haven’t told us about their circumstances to give us a call on 0330 1234 150. Together with Government, Ofcom, telecoms providers, charity partners and key industry groups, BT is working hard to ensure that everyone knows about the change, how they will be impacted and what they need to do as a result. For most customers, the switch to Digital Voice will be as simple as connecting your home phone handset to a router rather than the phone socket on the wall. BT is raising awareness about the switch to its digital home phone service on a region-by-region basis, to help customers understand the simple steps required to make the switch. Over 99% of phone handsets are compatible with our digital home phone service. And if yours isn't compatible, we have a range of handsets that you can add to your order. For more information, visit www.bt.com/digital-voice For most BT customers, it is a simple and completely free transition to Digital Voice with no home installation work required. And you can keep your current phone number. Digital Voice prevents the majority ofscam calls, provides clearer call quality and allows users to easily divert calls to their mobile if they’re out of the house. Customers will be contacted four weeks before making the switch, to help ensure they’re ready to make the move. FREE What if there’s a power cut? We understand that for many, particularly those with additional needs, the landline is a lifeline. We want to be sure everyone remains connected. We've been working to make battery back-up units available to those that need them. Customers with additional needs such as health pendants or without mobile signal, can take advantage of free additional support, on request. We’re also working closely with the power companies to establish processes which help them to restore power as quickly as possible. Page 25
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Digital Voice is coming to a town near you Come and speak to us about our new home phone service, Digital Voice Landlines in the UK are going digital. Although the landline isn’t going away, we know that you might have questions or would like to know more about this industry-wide change. Throughout July and August, we’ll be heading to towns and cities across Scotland, we’ll have a team on hand who can tell you what Digital Voice is, why the change is necessary and what it means for you. You don’t have to pre-book, just turn up. Where and when: We’re holding a drop in on the 15th & 16th August between 10:00 - 16:00 at Dunoon Library, 9 Argyll Street, Dunoon, PA23 7HH For more information, visit www.bt.com/digitalvoice Page 27
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Bute, Cowal and Dunoon CPG Briefing Report Q1 2024/25 Performance & Activity Report From: 1st April 2024 To: 30th June 2024 Page 29 Agenda Item 6a
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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. Local Firefighter Training Plan Below is a list of subjects the operational crews have been focusing on within this period. Each subject has been covered both practically and theoretically and recorded in the Fire Service Training recording system. Training Subjects April /May/June • CFBT • Water Awareness • Safe Working at Height • RTC and Extrication • Knotts, Ladders & Pumps • Secure Accommodation Page 30
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Accidental Dwelling Fires (ADF) Ward 3 Year Average 2023/24 2024/25 Cowal 1.3 0 2 Dunoon 2 3 3 Isle of Bute 1.7 1 4 Community Board Total 5 4 9 ADF Casualties Ward 3 Year Average 2023/24 2024/25 Cowal 0 0 0 Dunoon 0.3 1 0 Isle of Bute 0 0 0 Community Board Total 0.3 1 0 Deliberate Secondary Fire Setting Ward 3 Year Average 2023/24 2024/25 Cowal 0.7 1 0 Dunoon 1.3 2 1 Isle of Bute 3 2 2 Community Board Total 5 5 3 Fires in Non-Domestic Property Ward 3 Year Average 2023/24 2024/25 Cowal 0.3 0 0 Dunoon 0.7 2 0 Isle of Bute 0.3 0 0 Community Board Total 1.3 2 0 Page 31
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Casualties from Non-Fire Emergencies Ward 3 Year Average 2023/24 2024/25 Cowal 3.3 4 1 Dunoon 1.3 0 0 Isle of Bute 1 0 0 Community Board Total 5.6 4 1 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals Ward 3 Year Average 2023/24 2024/25 Cowal 8 9 3 Dunoon 10 10 6 Isle of Bute 11.3 13 5 Community Board Total 29.3 32 14 Page 32
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Incidents/Activities of Note Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) We continue to work with partners across Argyll & Bute to support duty holders in reducing unwanted fire alarm signal (UFAS) incidents. Our UFAS mobilisation policy has been devised with the aim of reducing UFAS incidents across Scotland. This has been reflected in the relevant KPI’s contained within this report. Road & Water Safety campaigns In this reporting period, we have continued to work with various partners across Argyll & Bute including Police Scotland, The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) and local business on Road and Water safety campaigns. We continue to support a road safety governance group established with Police Scotland's L Division. The group meets on a quarterly basis to discuss road safety issues and includes various partners from across Argyll & Bute. We continue to participate in Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) and attend Argyll & Bute quarterly meetings. Our Community Action Team (CAT) and local crews have been delivering Water Safety Scotland water safety presentations across schools in Argyll & Bute. Community Engagement Activities • Post Domestic Incident Response (PDIR) following every domestic incident • Community Action Team (CAT) visited various Caravan and campsites offering appropriate fire safety advice • Fire, Water & Road Safety provided to schools and local community groups. • Continue to deliver Fire Safety advice via HFSVs (Home Fire Safety Visits) and provision of smoke detection • 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 • Supporting Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) group and engaging with the public: #RESPECTTHEWATER campaign • Engaging with communities utilising spring/summer Thematic Action Plans TAP (Thematic Action Plan) • Victim support referral pathway set up • 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. • Our Area Management team were joined by SFRS (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) Board Member Paul Stollard, as we carried out our National Public Pre-consultation on the future of SFRS. Participation from members of the public who engaged with us at Tesco Oban and at Oban Community Fire Station. EWDAB (East & West Dunbartonshire, Argyll, and Bute) LSO Activities • West SDA (Service Delivery Area) development event at INEOS, Finnart Ocean Terminal. Attended by DACO (Deputy Assistant Chief Officer) Wright and several senior officers from EWDAB LSO. This was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our local risks, while strengthening partnerships through shared understanding. Page 33
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• Continued roll out of new fleet SFRS Electric Vehicles and on-station charging points within the area • In June, WC McGloin &CSA McLean Fleming attended the DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) conference at Coran Halls in Oban. Allowing partners from across Argyll & Bute to discuss ideas on how to support our young people from attracting women into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math's) to mentoring through MCR pathways. • Staff from EWDAB LSO tested SFRS Continuity Plans at our annual exercise. Following familiarisation input from Civil Contingencies Officer Cameron Black. We were joined by representatives from Argyll & Bute Council, who provided valuable input and feedback. • LSO McKay and the wider team at EWDAB were happy to celebrate our On Call colleague, Lorraine Taylor, who was recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours for 2024, for her exemplary service to her community. Home Fire Safety As part of our commitment to building a safer Scotland we offer everyone in Scotland a free home fire safety visit. We will help you sort out a fire escape plan and provide information about smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide alarms. For a Free Home Fire Safety Visit, please: • Call 0800 0731 999 • Text "FIRE" to 80800 from your mobile phone. Twitter link: https://twitter.com/abewdhq Page 34
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Fyne Futures Update Bute Produce has been re-opened to the community. The latest event on 21st June saw over 50 people taking part in a range of activities: e-bike ride to Ascog Bird Hide, Bee Safari, Bench Making from Pallets, Print making with flowers, and local producers were showcased in collaboration with Bute Kitchen. A new programme of activities has been developed from these pilot events – Monday in the Garden will become a weekly drop in session for people to get back in touch with nature, take part in well-being activities, and learn new skills. Bike Bute is developing a programme of led rides to enable people to get back into cycling. Bike leadership training will be offered for minimum 6 people. The plan is to have regular led rides on e- bikes to locations of interest around Bute. We hope to develop partnership working with Bute Forest around this idea. ReStyle, our reuse furniture enterprise, has been venturing into West Cowal. Reuse options across the region have reduced with many tons of useful resources going to landfill as a result. On Bute we diverted over 35 tonnes back into the community, and we are exploring whether a sustainable offer can be developed for Cowal. Volunteer Programme, Incredible Edible Bute, is going strong with a core group of regulars being joined by other groups such as Live Argyll supported men’s group; and We are with You peer to peer group. The Employability Programme has begun and has two main pillars: supporting long term unemployed and supporting unemployed parents. Alongside person centred 1:1 coaching, people will be supported to maximise household income and minimise household spending. There will be specialist support for people looking to become self-employed and a specific focus on people who would like to move into childminding. The cookery skills programme, which was piloted last year, will be ran again taking learning and feedback from those who participated. Page 35 Agenda Item 6b
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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 13/8/2024 Open day We held an open day on Thursday 20th June for applicants and potential students to drop into their local centres to make enquiries/ask questions. There was also an info/activity session on Early Years education and a bursary/funding info session. Multiply UHI Argyll has received a further tranche of funding to deliver the UK Government’s Multiply Programme, and we have scheduled the following courses: • Positive About Numbers Either online or at one of our centres. Classes are two hours a week for 12 weeks. Start dates: Day - Tues 3rd Sept 10am-12.30pm or Evening - Mon 2nd Sept 6.30pm -9pm • Positive About Money Either online or at one of our centres. Classes are two hours a week for 12 weeks. Start date: Day - Mon 2nd Sept 12-2.30pm or Evening - Wed 4th Sept 6.30-9pm • Maths Nat4 1 Academic year, Wednesday evening (plus tutorial), commencing 28th August • Application of Maths Nat 5 1 Academic year, Monday evenings (plus tutorial), commencing late August 2024. Forthcoming commercial courses Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Training (SCPLH): Monday 23rd September; Monday October 7th; Monday 11th November REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene: Wednesday 2nd October; Wednesday 9th October; Monday 18th November New courses for academic year 2024-25 1. Access to Care (Health and Early Years), SCQF level 5: This updated course will replace Childhood Studies: an Introduction. The course will run for approximately 4 days per week (10am - 3pm) from August until May. 2. In Dunoon: Maritime Skills, SCQF level 5: This is a short full-time course running from August to January (17 weeks), approximately 3 days per week. 3. We are introducing four Business National Progression Awards (NPAs) at SCQF level 6. Starting in August and lasting 17 weeks: • NPA Business Skills – Course Fee £430. Includes five SQA units: Understanding Business; Web Apps: Word Processing; Management of People and Finance; Web Apps: Spreadsheets; Contemporary Business Issues Page 37 Agenda Item 6c
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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 • NPA Business with Information Technology – Course Fee £344. Includes four SQA units: Understanding Business; Web Apps: Word Processing; IT Solutions for Administrators; Management of Marketing Operations • NPA PC Passport – Course Fee £258. Includes three SQA units: Web Apps: Word Processing; Web Apps: Spreadsheets; Web Apps: Presentations Starting in January 2025 and lasting 17 weeks: • NPA Digital Passport – Course Fee £258. Includes three SQA units: Data Citizenship; Web Apps: Spreadsheets; Web Apps: Presentations General Our applicant “Keep Warm” project is in full swing. Staff are in contact with our applicants and applicant days are being held in every UHI Argyll learning centre during August. These will consist of centre inductions and providing help with funding and enrolment, travel claims, student support and any other general enquiries prior to the commencement of courses. Sheena Finlay Assistant Centre Manager (Rothesay) sheena.finlay@uhi.ac.uk Rhona Altin Assistant Centre Manager (Dunoon) rhona.altin@uhi.ac.uk Page 38
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Page | 1 Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (ABTSI) Third Sector Support Advisor for Cowal and Bute: Janis Marshall Reilly - janismarshallreilly@argylltsi.org.uk Facebook page for Cowal and Bute TSI news can be found by clicking here. This update covers the period from 30th April 2024 to 17th July 2024 TSI activity for quarter one 2024-2025 has involved: - completing the final version of the TSI funded Community Wealth Building report - reviewing our budgets - supporting member organisations and the wider community through the council and IJB budget processes - planning for our next business plan and new strategy Scottish Government/Parliament, the TSI landscape and policy activity Holyrood’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee has launched a consultation on third sector funding aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the public funding process. Third sector organisations and their funders have until the 16th August to respond to the survey: Pre-budget 2025-26 scrutiny - Third sector funding principles - Scottish Parliament - Citizen Space With the change of Westminster Government, the TSI network is keeping an eye out for potential changes to the structure of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and other national funding programmes. Local strategic partnerships Community Wealth Building (CWB) progress Two further community action groups have arisen to implement parts of the TSI funded Community Wealth Building report: The first is a group dedicated to identifying ways of making community renewable projects more accessible to local communities in Argyll and Bute. Page 39 Agenda Item 6d
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Page | 2 The second is a local group to Helensburgh and Lomond interested in adopting CWB methods for their local place planning - and to identify their ask of the TSI in terms of CWB support. The Community Planning Partnership (CPP)’s Community Wealth Building steering group will meet for a final time in August 2024 to identify how to take forward the specific recommendations contained in April’s report. Community Benefits from major infrastructure projects Part of the Community Wealth Building report output was a review of how we approach community benefits arising from major infrastructure schemes. We are working with some emerging local coalitions in Dunoon to consider the structure of a potential fund and a public event is planned for September 2024. More strategically there may be scope to research / improve the whole field of such potential community benefits, focussing on local needs. We will include this in our wider TSI strategic review. Third Sector Interface (TSI) Scotland, contracts, sector support and strategic action plan delivery TSI National Conference The TSI Scotland network held a two-day national conference in Edinburgh in May. ABTSI’s CEO Takki Sulaiman (pictured) led a session on Leading in Challenging Times. The conference was attended by over 120 staff from TSIs across Scotland, with positive feedback and a desire to see the event return in 2025 pending funding from the Scottish Government. Argyll and Bute TSI strategy development ABTSI will deliver a survey / focus groups identifying key local third sector and social enterprise issues in order to: • Map and identify the current concerns and needs of the local sector • Drive a training, events and networking calendar Page 40
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Page | 3 • Drive the TSI's new strategy, business plan and a sector-led campaign. The TSI is aware of significant venn-diagram type intersections around this plan and the Living Well and Climate Change work streams. The intention is to work with partners on a joint survey that we could all use in the hope of reducing consultation fatigue - and we will be in touch soon to that end. Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Year 4 Grant Grant letters for 2024-2025 were signed in July 2024. Funding is broadly the same as in 23/24 with £280,979.23 available overall in Argyll and Bute. It is anticipated that the fund will be open to applications by the end of September 2024. Hustings General Election Hustings for Oban and Helensburgh organised by the TSI were held on 24th and 26th June respectively. They were both very well attended with the Oban hustings also being live streamed and still available at this link: General Election Hustings - Oban 24-6-24 (youtube.com) Taking Action on Rural Poverty workshop June 2024 The TSI is on the steering group for the Robertson Trust funded project (delivered by the Poverty Alliance) Taking Action on Rural Poverty. At a sector learning event in June 2024, the TSI CEO presented a session on how the TSI’s networks and community wealth building approaches can support anti-poverty work in Argyll and Bute. The event was well attended with over 40 groups represented. Wellbeing Development Manager Community Directory development The Wellbeing Development Manager role (hosted by the TSI and funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and the HSCP) continues to prove highly relevant to our work through supporting capacity building for third sector groups active in preventative healthcare - as well as developing information and support tools such as our community directory. A proposal to expand the community directory’s use as a tool for analysing sector services and capabilities has been agreed to – fundamentally a centralised platform to Page 41
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Page | 4 create a 'One Front Door' approach to accessing Health and Wellbeing information and support services in Argyll and Bute. Further info is not included here for reasons of brevity but please do let TSSA for Cowal and Bute, Janis, know if you would like more information. Community Assets for Living Well – workshop A workshop was held at the start of June 2024 and aimed to help define a clear vision for what contributes to a good life for people across Argyll and Bute. A video capturing the outputs of the session is available to view here. END OF ARGYLL AND BUTE TSI UPDATE (ABTSI) Third Sector Support Advisor for Cowal and Bute: Janis Marshall Reilly - janismarshallreilly@argylltsi.org.uk Facebook page for Cowal and Bute TSI news can be found by clicking here. Website: Argyll & Bute Third Sector Interface (argylltsi.org) Page 42
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Community Learning Services update - Celebration Day Event for Adult Learners In May over 60 Adult Learners came together in Inveraray from across the different areas of Argyll and Bute to celebrate their learning achievements but more importantly to have the opportunities to travel out with their local areas and to meet up with other Adult learners. The day consisted of a variety of activities which included creative learning designed for all learners to participate in and encourage social interaction and communication. This, helps learners grasp the bigger picture and become more focused and inspired on what they want from their Learning journey and encourages “Voice participation”. “Hear My Story” - Some Learners shared personal experiences and were extremely nervous, it took a lot of courage and determination to speak and share their learning journeys including barriers and challenges some have faced over the years. By attending and being supported through Community Based Adult Learning they have been able to move forward and address some of the challenges they have and still are facing today. Learning is not always about learning a subject matter; other factors have an impact such as Health and Wellbeing, Poverty, unemployment, social isolation and a lack of confidence amongst others. To hear these heart-warming stories was empowering for the learners telling them and the learners listening to them. (We have captured them on recordings and photographs and can share them through other channels). One Adult learning project in Oban is a Music project in Partnership with Hope Kitchen it supports and is inclusive to all people including the homeless, people with alcohol & drug addictions and mental health issues, who need a safe place providing food, shelter and made to feel welcome. Adults can learn to play an instrument or join in through singing. This can be in a group or solo for new and experienced and for those who are not sure but might want to give it a go or just listen. The project’s aim is to address social isolation, health and wellbeing and improve on learning new skills. Some of the learners took to the “stage” and provided the afternoon’s entertainment sharing their own learning by performing as a “band” and also giving solo performances with a finale of a sing- along for all adult learners to join in they even brought along song sheets they had made. Learners had the opportunity to meet others and talk about their experiences and share with us through feedback and evaluative comments how they felt and about the support and provision they received. This was collated during the day and turned into a “Wordle” which all received a framed copy of it along with other “take home” goodies (One of the activities was to create and design their own bags) which they all did and were able to put the bag to use to carry home the momentums of the day. The learners provided positive evaluations and they felt valued and believed that their participation made the event more inclusive. They reported increased self-esteem, confidence, and new friendships. It is vital to create safe, inclusive spaces for learners to work together, share and be creative. Learner involvement is a fundamental principle of CLD practice and this is emphasised in Quality Indicator “Developing the learning offer with learners”. We are promoting Adult Learning Forum/s across Argyll and Bute to encourage the aim of the learners’ voice and the opportunity of expressing their views on adult learning provision. We wanted to increase opportunities for adults to influence our service and to develop the Learner Voice in a more formal way. Page 43 Agenda Item 6e
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Community Learning Services – Youth Services School Partnership Programmes Youth Service Leads work in Schools and Partnership programmes which collaborate with the Scottish Government and other Scottish Attainment Challenge partners to promote the role of youth work in closing the poverty-related attainment gap. We share best practices, support practice development and gather evidence of the impact of youth work on attainment. In Argyll and Bute in school session 2023-24, Community Learning extended its partnerships with secondary schools significantly. To support the Education Service in broadening the curriculum and offering as wide a range of attainment and achievement possibilities. Community Learning has enabled the achievement of over 450 accredited awards and nearly 500 other awards across eight secondary schools. . Engagement with schools will continue in 2024-25. The chart below highlights two areas: 1) The total accredited, recognised qualifications that were achieved by young people. 2) The total number of young people who have actively participated in and accomplished wider learning opportunities. SQA – Scottish Qualifications Agency DYA – Dynamic Youth Award Community Learning looks for all opportunities to assist a young person to maximise on their attainment and achievements: e.g. a young Person achieving an SQA in Young Leadership potentially can also achieve a Dynamic Youth Award and a Saltire Award at the same time. 637 451 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 Number of young people engaging in wider achievement opportunities through CL Number of young people achieving nationally recognised Awards through CL - SQA/DYA/SALTIRE/Hi5's Youth Services CL liveArgyll 01/04/23 -31/04/24 ages 12 -18yrs Page 44
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Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group 13th August 2024 Water Safety Scotland communication toolkits Summary Water Safety Scotland has produced communication toolkits for use in developing people’s understanding and awareness of the danger of open water and enabling safe participation in water-based activities. 1. Purpose The toolkits are attached as an appendix to allow ACPG partners to promote water safety for kayaking/canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. These toolkits were also shared recently with members of the Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) Argyll and Bute group. 2. Recommendations Members of the Area Community Planning Group are asked to note the water safety communications toolkits. 3. Background Thematic communications toolkits have been developed by Water Safety Scotland and shared with partners on the local PAWS Group and Education Scotland, to promote safety and awareness around specific water-based activities. 4. Detail Water Safety Scotland in conjunction with Paddle Scotland have developed communication toolkits to promote safe participation in stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking/canoeing. These toolkits are attached as an appendix and can be shared and utilised as required to enhance awareness of water safety around the coastline of Argyll and Bute and on our inland waters. 5. Conclusions Page 47 Agenda Item 11
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Members of the Area Community Planning Group are asked to note the toolkits for use in promoting water safety for kayaking/canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. 6. CPP Outcomes Does you report relate to any of the following: Outcome Tick as appropriate (√) Community Wellbeing √ Housing Transport Infrastructure For further information please contact: cppadmin@argyll-bute.gov.uk Page 48
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Water Safety Scotland Stand Up Paddleboarding ‘mini’ toolkit 2024 Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a monthly topic within Water Safety Scotland (WSS)’s prevention toolkit and features in May but can be used across the year, as appropriate. Key message: Scotland’s seas, lochs and rivers are enjoyed by a wide range of people for exciting activities– but it’s vital we know how to enjoy the water safely. It’s always best to be prepared before doing the sport. To do this, follow the SUP water safety code which contains advice specific to the activities of Stand Up Paddleboarding. Website link: https://www.watersafetyscotland.org.uk/advice-hub/activity-safety/stand-up- paddleboarding-sup/ Assets Specific assets have been created for this package. These include: • Social media assets (detailed below) • SUP safety video of key advice that can be shared across social media Suggested social media posts: Be aware of offshore winds. Avoid launching on your paddleboard in windy conditions. Follow the SUP water safety code found here: https://tinyurl.com/2s3t2a4x #DrowningPrevention Check your kit before you launch on your paddleboard. Remain safe whilst stand up paddleboarding by following the water safety code: https://tinyurl.com/2s3t2a4x Interested in Stand Up Paddleboarding? Get involved in this fun activity and attend an approved Paddle Scotland course #WaterSafety Page 49
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Offshore winds can lead to being led out further into deeper water when paddleboarding. Check the direction of the wind before heading out onto the water. Avoid launching in windy conditions. #DrowingPrevention Safety is the key to having fun whilst stand up paddleboarding. Follow our SUP water safety code to get the best out of your paddle: https://tinyurl.com/2s3t2a4x #DrowningPrevention Whether you are a keen paddler or a new lover of the sport, be aware of safety by following our SUP safety code: https://tinyurl.com/2s3t2a4x #DrowningPrevention You can check our brand-new video, staring Calum McNicol from Paddle Scotland, who discusses the key advice to help keep you safe whilst Stand-up Paddleboarding. You can access the new video online here: https://youtu.be/cwLUR-7Gynw Page 50
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Water Safety Scotland Kayaking and Canoeing ‘mini’ toolkit 2024 Kayak and Canoe safety is a monthly topic within Water Safety Scotland (WSS)’s prevention toolkit and features in May but can be used across the year, as appropriate. Key message: Kayaking and Canoeing are both popular recreational and competitive sports and can offer adventure, exercise, and fun, as well as a chance to explore nature. Its best to always be prepared before doing the sport. To do this, follow the Kayaking and Canoeing Water Safety code which contains advice specific to the activities of kayaking and canoeing. Website link: https://www.watersafetyscotland.org.uk/advice-hub/activity-safety/kayaking- canoeing/ Assets: Specific assets have been created for this package. These include: • Social media assets (detailed below) • Kayak and Canoe safety video of key advice that can be shared across social media Tweets/X/FB posts Prepared to paddle? Make sure you are aware of your surroundings, the condition of your equipment, and the weather conditions before you launch. The key to safe canoeing or kayaking is to follow the water safety code. #DrowningPrevention Whether you are going kayaking or canoeing make sure you follow the water safety code. If you get into an emergency, call 999 #WaterSafety #DrowningPrevention Before launching, ensure you have a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch in case of emergency. This will make your kayaking/canoeing experience safer. #DrowningPrevention. Page 51
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Make sure to check the wind direction and speed before launching. Be aware of offshore winds. Stay aware of weather conditions by checking the forecast before you set out. Avoid launching in windy conditions. #DrowningPrevention You can check our brand-new video, staring Calum McNicol from Paddle Scotland, who discusses the key advice to help keep you safe whilst canoeing or kayaking. You can access the new video online here: https://youtu.be/xUVh2Wx6eHU Please also remember that if you plan to buy second hand equipment – you can read our key advice here: https://www.watersafetyscotland.org.uk/media/p5fl3icv/wss-second-hand-advice.pdf Page 52