Community Planning Partnership Management Committee Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 1 November 2022
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group — 1 November 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group 1 November 2022 Community Planning Partnership Management Committee Update This briefing relates to the meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee which was held on 6th October 2022. The briefing is for noting and relevant discussion. Summary HIGHLIGHTS Matters Arising from Area Community Planning Groups An update was provided on the discussions which had taken place at all 4 Area Community Planning Groups during the August 2022 cycle of meetings. The meetings had been well attended with a variety of interesting presentations given. Of particular interest was the excellent partnership work in Helensburgh on youth antisocial behaviour and the mental health and wellbeing website from Males Tales / Females Tales; the cross-community work on the Inveraray Community Action Plan; work integrating new Scots; the Shaping Places for Wellbeing work in Dunoon; and the work on Carer Support Plans with partners across the Oban area. The Management Committee noted the current situation in regard to office bearer positions, noting that the position of Vice Chair on the Helensburgh and Lomond Group had been filled by Sarah Davies of Helensburgh Community Council. The Vice Chair of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Group had also been filled with Councillor John Armour taking on the role for a temporary period of 6 months. The Vice Chair position on the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Group remains vacant, with confidence high this would be filled at the next meeting. The CPP Management Committee met on the 6th October 2022 with the meeting being held virtually. This update provides an overview of the discussion which took place. Reports which were discussed at the meeting can be found here Browse meetings - Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership - Management Committee - Argyll and Bute Council (argyll-bute.gov.uk)
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Cost of Living Crisis There was a very full discussion about the cost of living crisis and partners were encouraged to signpost people to the council’s dedicated support page which can be accessed by following this link - https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/heat-your-home. CROSS CUTTING THEMES Addressing the Climate Emergency in Argyll and Bute Stan Phillips advised that the Climate Change Action Plan is ready to go as they have a good description of what the group wants to do and governance procedures are in place. The Management Committee noted that around £70k had been made available from NHS Highland - Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership and Argyll and Bute Council, to support a Project Manager, however there remains a funding shortfall of around £50k. Officers are considering approaching the private sector with an interest in Argyll and Bute, to see if they have capacity to support this important work. Child Poverty Mandy Sheridan provided an update on this theme with it being noted that:- - A multi-agency group had been working to ensure Children’s Rights Reports (which need reviewed in 2023) are embedded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). They are also progressing accreditations for rights respecting schools and an online group has been set up to enable engagement with young carers. - An audit tool is being used to identify how ready organisations are to embed the UNCRC, and advice is being given on what this involves. It is hoped the audit tool can be used by the Council and other partners. - There is focus to produce a child friendly complaints procedure and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman is supporting this at a national level. A draft procedure is expected to be available in April 2023. - The Child Poverty Action Plan 2021-22 had been completed and was approved at the Integration Joint Board. - The Child Poverty Action Group are developing an engagement and communication sub-group to map communication pathways for key messages and create an annual calendar for communications, i.e. promote school uniform support in spring. They are looking at different ways to promote Scottish Child Payments to those who should claim it and promote provision of free school meals. - Audit Scotland concluded longer joint planning is needed for Child Poverty in Scotland with more focus on tackling impacts rather than prevention. There is also a national effort to provide better data for remote and rural places to identify the different challenges those areas face.
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Financial Inclusion Fergus Walker advised that the Financial Inclusion and Advice Group, and a splinter group are looking at energy advice and are very busy looking at how to mitigate issues and impacts on citizens in Argyll and Bute. Some research has shown that inflation has increased the cost of food, travel and clothes by more than 13% (higher in Argyll and Bute than elsewhere), and that 70% of properties in Argyll and Bute would require an income of over £82k to mitigate this, yet the average income in the area is £30k per annum. While the Energy Price Cap was welcomed it was reported that the average cost of energy to homes in Argyll and Bute is double the price cap and many properties are off gas grid and rely on oil and electricity. Support for Argyll and Bute is being lobbied at senior levels in Government and there is work with multiple agencies to negotiate with energy companies and provide links to emergency support. Fergus reported that the Flexible Food Fund is ongoing and the roll out of “Loves Local” gift cards to those who are eligible continues. The cards will have £120 loaded to spend at over 140 local businesses. The total card value is approx. £800k. Once the contract for this has been finalised it is hoped more businesses will join the scheme. The Food Fund has helped 1,350 households with an overall gain to them (customer gain) of £1.8m since January 2021. Community Wealth Building Takki Sulaiman provided an update of some of the work contributing to the development of Community Wealth Building approaches in Argyll and Bute. The focus of which is to use levers, as appropriate, to keep wealth generated in local areas to remain in that local economy. The Third Sector Interface are working towards preparing a report which maps current best practice in Argyll and Bute, similar and interconnected initiatives and strategies, opportunities unique to Argyll and Bute and next steps for action. Digital Iain MacInnes gave a presentation on social tariffs for phone and broadband and Nicola Hackett reported on the conclusions and outcomes of the scoping exercise that had been undertaken by consultants Hall Aitken on behalf of the Argyll and Bute CLD Partnership. Nicola reported that Digital Skills are a critical part of the CLD Partnership plan and to ensure the delivery of core digital skills in Argyll and Bute we need to understand where the gaps are, what our existing assets are and how to take this forward in partnership. A survey was conducted, however there were not as many responses as hoped for, but that the methodology and approach from Hall Aitken was good and they gave clear recommendations on how to work together across partners and the CLD partnership to ensure our work contributes to digital skills.
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Corporate Parenting Board - Nomination of Replacement Chair Mark Lines confirmed to the CPP Management Committee that Takki Sulaiman had been appointed to be the new Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board. Takki will be asked to lead the delivery of the Corporate Parenting Plan and to support and challenge all Corporate Parents to deliver on their responsibilities and the transformation for care services as envisioned by The Promise. Priorities from engaging with young people through Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) roadshows Ann Kennovin advised that the MSYPs had taken a stall at Oban Highland Games where over 100 people stopped to engage with them. The MSYPs took time to explain what the Youth Parliament is about, their roles and the length of their appointment term. The MSYPs have also created a QR code linking to a survey on issues for young people across Argyll and Bute. This survey is still live, however emerging issues are around transportation and the problems with applying for a free bus pass, access to play areas (that are not part of paid clubs) and the quality of school buildings. The survey will close at the end of October. The theme of the next MSYP session is “Fast Fashion” and its impact on climate change. Shaping Places for Wellbeing Dunoon Project update Alex Wilde gave a presentation on the Shaping Places for Wellbeing in Dunoon project which aims to improve wellbeing by reducing inequalities. Alex advised that the project is looking areas where input can be given to support plans, policies and decisions impacting Dunoon and to promote the work already being done on the wellbeing outcomes. Alex introduced the place and wellbeing assessment tool which can be used by partners to review their decision making processes and plans. The project can support partners on Place and Wellbeing assessments by facilitating sessions, writing up reports on the discussions and providing recommendations. This support has been well received in other areas. Lochgilphead & Mid-Argyll Place Review Shirley Johnstone advised that as part of the Modern Workspace project to rationalise council assets, it was realised there was a wider scope of work needed for Lochgilphead and Hub North were engaged to interview stakeholders to identify what was needed. David Welsh gave a presentation on the action that has been taken so far and next steps. He explained that a place-based review works in a joined up way to look at how people work and live in a place and understand their priorities. The project team spoke to stakeholders in June 2022 and reviewed plans and ran workshops with
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local people in Mid Argyll. A place narrative was then developed to identify a shared story for change; explaining the context and setting out what makes a place distinct. Lochgilphead is a good place to live, and there has been visible investment to the area in the last year, however there is also a fragility to the area and this needs attention as to how demographic and economic changes can affect it. David advised that work needs to be done to attract visitors to the town, and that there is also a need for housing stock, extension of childcare and nursery provision, youth activities and social activities. In terms of next steps, work is continuing on Phase 1 (ends November 2022) and this includes a Place Brief, Place Program, Developing Funding, Determining Governance and Assurance and planning detailed additional engagement. Coll Engagement Sarah Griffin introduced the work of the Coll Collaborative Working Group which aims to ensure person centred, sustainable, affordable and integrated access to care on Coll. A needs assessment was undertaken in July 2022 and will inform work as it goes forward. The findings reported the main issues as being Situation and Transport (no public transport), Demographics, cost of living (high food and fuel costs), Housing (second home ownership, no supply), Health and Wellbeing (unpaid carers, good GP access but need to go off island for treatments) and Community (strong community and lifestyle on the island is important to residents). The results of the survey will be made public. Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Annual Report Joe McKay provided an update of the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Annual Report which covered the twelve month period from 1 April 2021. The partnership had agreed to work together on topics such as climate change, building back better (strengthening communities), community wealth building, digital, safety in communities and addressing financial impacts including child poverty. Progress and achievements on these topics were outlined within the annual report, and included: - Monthly meetings for community organisations supporting people in need, to share experience and get support from other organisations in the area. - Creation of a Climate Change Action webpage hosting information on actions to address climate change across communities and organisations in Argyll and Bute. - Funding and distribution of call blockers to prevent telephone fraud and scams. - Over 6,000 Worrying about Money leaflets distributed - Funding to increase awareness of digital opportunities in communities. Review of Argyll and Bute Outcomes Improvement Plan
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Rona Gold delivered a presentation which detailed how Outcomes Improvement Plans are a requirement of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. The previous 10 year plan ends in 2023 and work needs to progress on forming the plan for the next 10 years. During July to September 2022 the CPP team met with multiple partners and other Community Planning Partnerships and reviewed all engagement in with communities in Argyll and Bute over the last 2 years. There are 9 needs that have emerged from that: Housing, Transport Infrastructure, Digital Inclusion, Climate Change, Financial Inclusion, Skills and Workforce, Diverse Economy, Community Wellbeing and Other (Community Voice, Volunteering). Rona reported that consultation will take place to identify the top 3 priorities which will be in the form of a survey across the population and CPP Partners. The CPP will also be surveyed regarding the existing level of partnership working on those themes. For further information, please contact: Shona Barton, Governance Manager, Argyll and Bute Council (01436) 657605 Shona.barton@argyll-bute.gov.uk