Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group Held on Wednesday 5 February 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 7 May 2025
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group — 7 May 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP HELD ON A HYBRID BASIS IN COMMITTEE ROOM 1, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS ON WEDNESDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2025 Present: Councillor Anne Horn (Chair) Ian Brodie, East Kintyre Community Council Melissa Stewart, Democratic Services Manager, Argyll and Bute Council John McLuckie, Partnerships Lead - Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council Antonia Baird, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council Councillor John Armour Councillor Garret Corner Dawn Park, Community Learning Services, Live Argyll Andy Macpherson, Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT) Olena Mishanina, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Victoria Shaw, Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) Moira MacLaren, UHI Argyll Susan Paterson, Shopper-Aide Ian Woodcock, Transport Scotland Muriel MacKaveney, Culture Heritage & Arts Assembly (CHArts), Argyll & Isles Lorna Bell, Southend Community Council Malcolm Sinclair, Lochgilphead Community Council Sandy Taylor, Islay Community Council Chris Abel, Islay Community Council Sarah Walker, Ardrishaig Community Council Valerie Nimmo, Campbeltown Community Council Lucy Sumsion, National Farmers' Union Scotland (NFU) Marion Lacey, Lochgair Association Dave Wilkinson, West Lochfyne Community Council Attending: Stuart Green, Project Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Lucy Dunbar, Project Officer, Argyll and Bute Council David Conor, Kintyre Recycling Ltd Ali Martin, Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP) Adele Martin, InspirAlba Eryne Barr, InspirAlba Megan Elliot, InspirAlba 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:
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Iona MacPhail, Fyne Homes; Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth, Argyll and Bute Council; Heather Thomas-Smith, Wild About Argyll; Laurie Piper, Scottish Canals; Sergeant Matthew Shaw, Police Scotland; Darren Gibb, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; Clare Hay, Colonsay Community Council; May Cross, Campbeltown Job Centre; Alasdair Paisley, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP); Caitlin McNeil, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI); Jamie Titterton, Community Learning Services, Live Argyll; and Jeni West, Forestry and Land Scotland. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. 3. MINUTE OF THE MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP HELD ON WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2024 The Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Wednesday 6 November 2024 was approved as a correct record. 4. COMMUNITY FOCUS (a) Kintyre Recycling Consideration was given to a verbal update from David Conor, Kintyre Recycling which highlighted that they currently employ 4 people, have 4 main elements within the company, operate in 47 schools and collect from more than 10 charity shops all around Argyll and Bute. Mr Conor advised that since 2022 they have doubled their capacity since leaving the Council contract and have 1 driver collecting and delivering to Nathans Wastesavers 4 times a week. It was highlighted that in conjunction with InspirAlba they introduced a pre-loved uniform scheme in early 2022 and that in year one they distributed 322 items to 72 children and in year two 129 children were helped. Mr Connor discussed the bike centre and how this was slowly progressing. They hoped to put 2 people through their bronze level bike mechanic course shortly. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Verbal Update from Kintyre Recycling) Having noted the commitments of those in attendance, the Chair agreed to vary the order of business to facilitate attendees. This minute reflects the order in which items were discussed.
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5. INSPIRALBA - HOUSEHOLD RESILIENCE AND EMPLOYABILITY ANNUAL UPDATE Consideration was given to a presentation from Adele Martin, Eryne Barr and Megan Elliot from InspirAlba in relation to their Household Resilience and employability projects. The presentation provided an overview of the Spark Your Purpose Project which is a pre- employability program designed to support individuals aged 16-17 in discovering and pursuing their unique career paths and the Parental Employability Support Fund which is one-to-one support to help identify what individual's goals are and work through any issues that might be getting in the way. Information relating to the support provided and project achievements for both projects was also included within the presentation. The presentation also highlighted the criteria for eligibility in both projects; participate progression from 2021-2023; the Household Resilience work-based placement project; their Household resilience Argyll and Bute team; their Partner organisations; the project to date; common client issues and examples of help they have provided. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation from InspirAlba) 6. ASPIRING PLACES; COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN ARGYLL AND BUTE The Group gave consideration to a presentation by the Project Manager and Project Officer from Argyll and Bute Council, in relation to the Council’s Aspiring Places; Community Project in Argyll and Bute. The presentation provided background information in relation to the previous project approach; the project review undertaken between April and September 2024; the Council agreed priorities for 2024-2027; the Council decision in September 2024; the revised project vision; the one digital space for Community projects in Argyll and Bute; the project scope and the next steps. Discussion took place in relation to how Community Groups could get involved with the project and it was advised that the project would be launched towards the end of March and that they would be publicising information widely on how to access the online digital space. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation by Project Manager and Project Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted) 7. MINORITY ETHNIC CARERS OF PEOPLE PROJECT (MECOPP) Consideration was given to a presentation from Ali Martin, Support and Development Worker at Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project. The presentation highlighted that
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MECOPP work specifically with Gypsy/Traveller communities in rural and urban Scotland; supports Black and Minority Ethnic carers to access support and services appropriate to their caring situation; develops a strategic response to identified gaps in service provision; assists service providers, both statutory and voluntary, in the development of culturally competent services; develops opportunities for the active involvement of Black and Minority Ethnic carers in consultation planning and raises the profile of Black and Minority Ethnic carers and their needs at national level. The presentation also provided an overview on who Gypsy/Travellers are and where they live; their culture, traditions and values; barriers and challenges which affect the way they live their lives; stereotyping and discrimination which affects their lives and how to make positive changes. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group: 1. noted the information provided; and 2. agreed that links to the videos “Roads from the Past” and “Two Sides of the Same Story” would be distributed post-meeting to members. (Reference: Presentation by Support and Development Worker, the Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project, submitted) 8. 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 serious and organised crime; acquisitive crime; road safety and road crime; violent crime; public protection and issues and questions raised by Community Councils and Councillors to the Communities Team in January 2025. Discussion took place in relation to Police reports received by Community Councils for their meetings and the lack of area specific information provided within these. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group: 1. noted the information provided; 2. noted that there were concerns expressed that the new format police reports for community council meetings did not contain information pertinent to the area and agreed to highlight this to the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee, to establish whether this was view shared by the other area groups or whether the matter might just be looked at on a single area basis; and 3. noted that in the absence of a representative from Police Scotland, any
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questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (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) FQ3 review of local performance across Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands for the period 2024-25. The report included information on the local firefighter training plan; incidents during this period; unwanted fire alarm signals; the drowning incident review; road and water safety campaigns; community engagement activities; East and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Local Senior Officer Activities; and home fire safety. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group: 1. noted the information provided; and 2. noted that in the absence of a representative from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted) (c) Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Public Health Update Consideration was given to a public health update from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team on the ongoing wellbeing and prevention activities overseen and delivered by them in Argyll and Bute. The update provided information on the Argyll and Bute Joint Strategic Needs Assessment which was published in December 2024; the expansion of the Community Link Working service; the launch of the Mental Health Hub – Living Well in Argyll and Bute digital resource and mental health awareness and suicide prevention training available. The report also provided information on the work undertaken as part of the alcohol and drugs partnership; the screening inequalities grant funding which has been awarded to Argyll and Bute; the end of the Waverly Care contract and the end of the existing Living Well Network coordination. Olena Mishanina highlighted an upcoming webinar on 26 February to discuss the installation of a ‘Take Some Breathing Space’ bench on one of the islands in Argyll and Bute. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the
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information provided. (Reference: Report by Health Improvement Senior, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated February 2025, submitted) (d) Live Argyll Community Learning Services - Youth Learning Update Consideration was given to an update report from the Live Argyll Community Learning Service, which provided an update on Youth Work in Kintyre. The report provided information on the work of the Kintyre Youth Action Group; the collaboration with Skills Development Scotland to provide an employability skills development programme to learning support students in schools; the delivery of wider achievement awards; the continued support provided to Alasdair Paisley MSYP for Argyll and Bute; the return of the Friday Night ‘Street Sports’ programme; the online directory of programmes and activities aimed at young people in the Kintyre area and regular ongoing projects. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group: 1. noted the information provided; and 2. noted that in the absence of a representative from Live Argyll Community Learning Services (Youth Services), any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Live Argyll Community Learning Services, submitted) (e) Live Argyll Community Learning Services - Adult Learning Update Consideration was given to an update report from the Live Argyll Community Learning Service, which provided an update on Adult Learning. The report provided information on the Kintyre Community Learning Hub which continues to offer a wide range of support and accredited learning in a variety of subjects; the Kintyre Adult Learning and Mari Allibone Alzheimers Scotland partnership; the Mid Argyll Learning Hub which continues to operate successfully; advocacy skills workshops delivered and planned; the Let’s Grow Group and Give Back Group Accredited Learning; Digital Skills support; the Community Centre garden project and LGBTQ+ community engagement event planned. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Live Argyll Community Learning Services, submitted) (f) Shopper-Aide Update The Group gave consideration to an update from Paul Ives, Shopper-Aide which highlighted that they have been overwhelmed by the support of the local
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community and thanked organisations and people who helped with donations, fundraising and any other support since the last meeting. The update also highlighted that they are currently undertaking a survey of their clients, their families and members of the wider community to help them understand the changing needs of the older people in Kintyre and that they are looking to undertake a number of engagement sessions with the support of the Councils’ Community Development Team to help gather qualitative feedback to ensure that the service continues to meet the needs of the community and are also currently working on plans for their organisation moving forward and continue to need the support of the local community. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group: 1. noted the information provided; and 2. noted that in the absence of a representative from Shopper-Aide, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Shopper-Aide, submitted) (g) Forestry and Land Scotland Update The Group gave consideration to a report which highlighted the ongoing workstreams of Forestry and Land Scotland within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. Information was provided in relation to local Land Management Plans; work to combat phytophthora ramorum disease in larch trees; progress with peatland restoration; and details of upcoming complex operations. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group: 1. noted the information provided; and 2. noted that in the absence of a representative from Forestry and Land Scotland, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Forestry and Land Scotland, dated January 2025, submitted) (h) Transport Scotland Update Consideration was given to an update from Transport Scotland which highlighted that they continue daily management of the traffic management at the Rest and Be Thankful with regular stakeholder updates advising of changes to the traffic management and that there is a final section of debris flow barrier still to be installed at sectors 3a and 3b which is planned for February. The update also highlighted that the Cairndow signage improvement works are ongoing and that
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they are still waiting on SSE to determine power connection and that the emergency works at Furnace were successfully completed during November 2024 to mitigate river erosion. Mr Woodcock also provided the Group with a 3-month programme of planned works along the A83. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group: 1. noted the information provided; and 2. recorded their thanks to Transport Scotland, Bear Scotland and all those involved with the extreme weather clean up following storm Eowyn. (Reference: Report by Area Manager, Transport Scotland, submitted) (i) Opportunity for Verbal Updates Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) In the absence of Alasdair Paisley, MSYP the Democratic Services Manager provided the following update which was submitted before the meeting: I consulted with around 65 young people at Tarbert Academy in Mid-December to find out issues about the local transport. I found that around 70 percent of the consultees wanted a later bus from Lochgilphead to Tarbert. About 40 percent mentioned that some busses can be quite unhygienic. These are the most major negative responses. On a positive note, I also found that 60 percent of the young people enjoyed the free bus travel and find it incredibly helpful, and the freedom that comes with it is very liberating. Other mentions were that the busses can cost a lot for those without a NEC, that there can be awkward timings between busses, ferries and community building (such as schools) opening hours and an appreciation for how public transport can help the environment. These responses had around 30 percent of consulted young people saying so. January and December has been a less intensive month for me in terms of my role due to prelims and school, so I should have much more and be able to come along to these meetings next time. I shall focus on finding the support in Lochgilphead and Campbeltown for a later bus along Kintyre, as well as helping consult for the upcoming Youth Work Bill and the SYPs new manifesto. Argyll and Bute Council Councillor Horn provided an update to the Group on behalf of the Council which read:
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The Council, along with other Local Authorities across the UK, are exploring the potential of a pilot with BT and Openreach to trial a mass migration of telecare clients testing the new digital voice protocol. For information on the Digital Phone Switchover, this can be located on the Council’s Website. I’ll ask Governance staff to include a link in the minutes of this meeting. (The Digital Phone Switchover | Argyll and Bute Council) Tied to this I would also ask partners to be mindful and alert to the fact that there are scam callers targeting the digital voice switchover on the pretence of being BT support agents. BT will never ask you for payment information whereas those scammers will looking to gain personal and payment information to undertake checks to ensure phone services can be migrated. Again, I will ask that a link to this be included in the minutes so that members can help raise awareness of this scam. (Scam Callers Target Broadband ISP BT's UK Digital Voice Switchover - ISPreview UK) The Council is currently consulting on two important matters which I would draw to the attention of partners. The first is the consultation on a visitor levy. The Council agreed on 20 December to run a formal public consultation exercise on a visitor levy for the area. The consultation will run until Thursday 10 April 2025. The consultation survey asks questions such as what would you like any income spent on if a levy was introduced and what support local businesses would like if involved in administering a levy. Alongside the consultation, the Council will be running online webinars and drop-in events in various locations across Argyll and Bute. The online webinars will last one hour and will take place on Monday 24 February at 5.30pm, Thursday 6 March at 10am, Tuesday 25 March at 5.30pm, and Thursday 3 April at 9am. To attend the online events you will need to book a space in advance. Booking for the webinars will be via the council website and the booking system will open on Monday 10 February. There are a number of drop-in events being held throughout the area but I will highlight the drop-in events taking place in the MAKI area which are: Wednesday 5th March – Islay – Islay Gaelic Centre from 3pm to 6pm. Monday 17th March – Campbeltown – Kintyre Community Centre from 4pm to 7pm Monday 24th March – Inveraray – Inveraray Inn from 4pm to 7pm There will be no requirement to book for the drop-in events. The second consultation which is currently ongoing is the 2025 budget consultation. It is well documented that the funding settlement will not be sufficient to sustain service delivery at the current level in Argyll and Bute. As a result, savings of £14.9m need to be found in the coming financial year to balance the budget. There is information on the council website about what services the council does provide, and what services are currently being provided which the council is not obliged to provide. Please do take the opportunity to contribute towards what services you feel are a priority. Feedback from the survey will be available when
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the Council is invited to set its budget on Thursday 27th February. (j) Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface Update The Group gave consideration to an update from Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI). The update provided information on the Argyll and Bute Resilience and Transformation Fund which closed for applications on the 3 February; the review of day services and day supports for older adults in Argyll and Bute; the TSI Volunteer of the Year awards which is now open for 2025 nominations; the work of the Wellbeing Development Manager and winter welcome spaces. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group: 1. noted the information provided; and 2. noted that in the absence of a representative from Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI), any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group. (Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, dated 5 February 2025, submitted) 9. CLIMATE CHANGE (a) Argyll and Bute Climate Action: developing a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Argyll and Bute Consideration was given 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. It was noted that the Project Manager was seeking recommendations for best groups at area level to inform development of the action plan and pilot projects. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Isles Area Community Planning Group: 1. noted the approach and status of the project outlined in the report; and 2. agreed to provide comments and feedback to the Project Manager (andy@act- now.org.uk) following the meeting. (Reference: Report by Climate Change Project Manager, Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust, dated 22 January 2025, submitted) (b) Opportunity for verbal updates on community based initiatives There were no verbal updates provided under this item. 10. AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS
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The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined the governance arrangements of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group (Area CPG) specifically the Terms of Reference, membership and future meeting dates. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group: 1. considered and adopted the Terms of Reference submitted at Appendix 1 and agreed that these be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure their ongoing currency and appropriateness for the work of the Area CPG as it develops over time; 2. considered and agreed the membership of the group at Appendix 2 and agreed that the membership of the group be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure currency and appropriateness for the work of the group as it develops over time; and 3. noted the future meeting dates of the Group as Wednesday, 7 May 2025, 27 August 2025, 5 November 2025, 4 February 2026 and 27 May 2026. (Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 5 February 2025, submitted) 11. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee meeting held on 6 December 2024. The report highlighted that the Management Committee had noted the concerns raised by the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands ACPG regarding the negative impacts to local people and businesses due to repeated closures of the A83 and they hoped that any further frustrations had been alleviated by the details provided by Ian Woodcock in his update on the ongoing traffic management arrangements on the A83 and improvements to the Old Military Road. The report also provided information on a presentation in relation to ongoing work on the population and census data from the census / National Records of Scotland (NRS); the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) 2024; the CPP Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan; CPP Community Wealth Building (CWB) Short Life Steering Group; Argyll and Bute Council Equalities Outcomes Consultation and the Audit Scotland’s Tackling Digital Exclusion Report. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 5 February 2025, submitted) 12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
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The Group noted that the next meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group would take place at 10am on Wednesday 7 May 2025 on a hybrid basis by Microsoft Teams and in the Templar Arts and Leisure Centre in Tarbert.