Community Planning Management Committee Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 31 August 2022
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group — 31 August 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 xxxxx Area Community Planning Group Xx August 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 22 June 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 which had been held in April 2022. The meetings had been well attended with a variety of interesting presentations given. The Management Committee noted the current situation in regard to office bearer positions, noting that Alistair Moodie (Lochgoil Community Council) had been appointed as Vice-Chair to the Bute and Cowal Area CPG and that the MAKI Vice-Chair position remains vacant. Shaping Places for Wellbeing The Committee heard from Alex Wilde, Shaping Places for Wellbeing Project Lead - Dunoon. Alex is leading on the project which is one of six case study projects across Scotland that have been established by the Improvement Service with two-year funding from the World Health organisation. The CPP Management Committee met on the 22nd June 2022 with the meeting being held virtually given the current restrictions in place and in line with the Council’s current approach. 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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It was noted that Alex will report to the Bute and Cowal ACPG, who will feedback on the project’s progress to the Management Committee Alex provided an update on her work so far. Alex started work on the project at the end of April and has been immersing herself in what is happening in Dunoon and across Argyll and Bute. She welcomed the generosity of all those who have shared their thoughts and ideas with. Alex aims to feed into health data collected by Public Health Scotland, looking at where there are public health inequalities and what opportunities there are for potential investments and small scale projects. The project will explore: How places can deliver on wellbeing How an approach to place can be further embedded What are the needs and opportunities Themes arising so far include: mental health; addictions; skills and employment; leisure; people transitioning from school to work; and people transitioning from work to retirement. Key groups identified so far include: carers; and women and children. It was agreed that partners should get in touch with Alex with suggestions of people she should be liaising with. Cross Cutting Themes Climate Change Ross McLaughlin presented on the report, noting that the Climate Change Working Group had been exploring the opportunities available to take forward a Project Manager or similar post to create a strategy for climate change with an Argyll and Bute wide approach at a total cost of around £120k over two years. It was proposed that the post should be hosted by third sector partner, ACT for day-to-day management, with project governance being provided by a Steering Group of members from the Climate Change working group. It was estimated that the post would require funding support of £60,000 per year, for a minimum of two years and that the majority of this funding would likely be sought from external sources. The Management Committee agreed to the following recommendations: (1) that a Project Manager post be created with this proposed management / governance structure of partnership working presented in the paper; and (2) that resources of around £120,000 should be sought to fund the post and its associated costs. Child Poverty Mandy Sheridan provided an update on this theme with it being noted that:-
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the Child Poverty Action Plan is in hand and will be ready by the end of August. 220 partnership staff and elected members attended the recent poverty awareness events. The Scottish Government has produced the Bright Starts Delivery Plan highlighting the importance of place. Workshops have been held on Child Poverty Data and Intelligence in Remote and Rural Areas, looking at difficulties and solutions in this area. Cost of living and inflation increase will make achieving the targets challenging. The Scottish Government’s first target date for working towards alleviating child poverty is 2023 with the following target set for 2030. Argyll and Bute Council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy and Children’s Rights Plans reach the end of their plan periods next year. Local Authorities have adopted different strategies including combining both plans. Financial Inclusion Fergus Walker provided an update which noted:- The number of applications for crisis grants and the resulting spend has reduced compared with last year. It is expected that the cost of living crisis will result in an increase in applications. The Flexible Food Fund (information found here: Flexible Food Fund Application Form (argyll-bute.gov.uk)) has extended its contract to include fuel and poverty advice. There will be a need for education around eligibility criteria. Poverty awareness training has been delivered to 220 staff and has received good feedback. Key themes identified as areas of work required to address poverty included: - Investment in employment opportunities and progression - Tackling poverty stigma - Public Transport access - Health and Care services - Childcare - Further Education opportunities - Opportunities for young people staying in the area - Affordable housing The Poverty Alliance will also deliver two further training sessions for elected members.
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School clothing re-use projects are being introduced across Argyll & Bute. These emphasise the re-use and recycling of school uniforms. This is being rolled out area by area. Now established in Helensburgh and Campbeltown and are working well. The next will be Rothesay and Dunoon. The intention is to expand across the islands, MAKI and OLI areas by the end of the year. Digital Nicola Hackett reported that the Community Learning and Development Partnership (CLD) had identified that a new working group dedicated to the cross cutting theme of Digital Communities was needed to take work forward. This has been established and the group’s terms of reference (TOR) have been agreed. Hall Aitken has been commissioned to look at mapping existing provision, volunteers, venues, training needs and connectivity to enable the CLD Digital Skills Plan to be progressed. The project group will also engage with education and other work streams, to identify barriers then look at how to tackle these with interventions and actions implemented with further funding sought as required. Melissa Dundas outlined the bid for Islands’ Infrastructure Funding which proposes to enable 4 pilot village halls (Iona, Coll, Tiree and Islay) to benefit from ICT equipment and establish digital hubs. If the funding bid is successful, the project will support community empowerment, increase digital inclusion, enable business use and recreation and facilitate Near Me clinics. The project will also support 9 of the 13 strategic objectives in the Islands Plan. The project intends to appoint Digital Champions in each community and it is hoped that it will act as a pilot for expanding the concept to other islands and rural mainland locations. Melissa expects to receive notification of the outcome of this funding bid by early August. March 2023 is the deadline for the project’s delivery. Building Back Better (Communities) Rona Gold reported that Ann Loughrey has been appointed to an 18-month fixed- term position of Building Back Better (Communities) Worker, jointly funded by Third Sector Interface (TSI) and Argyll and Bute Council. The post was created with the aim of engaging with community groups in recognition of the issues they may now be facing because of the COVID 19 pandemic. Ann will be reviewing the support needed to ensure that volunteering activities are sustainable. She will also be conducting an evaluation of a micro grant fund for village halls and exploring ongoing needs.
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Outcome 6: Community Safety Partnership – 2021/22 Progress Update Laura Evans presented the following report: Update: Outcome 6 – People Live in Safer and Stronger Communities. Highlights included: Graphic Mind Map showing challenges, achievements and activities over the year 2021/22 Priority 1 – We live in a safe and positive community Making sure victims of domestic abuse could reach out for support. Signposting information was circulated through Living Well Networks and holiday accommodation providers. This will continue and expand next year to include any small business. Priority 2 – We encourage safer road and water use The Argyll and Bute Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) group was established. A water safety education package was created and circulated. Improved water safety signage was designed and installed. The focus will now move towards road safety, supporting elderly drivers and working with local transport groups. Priority 4 – Our vulnerable groups are supported and included More than 700 people have received face to face delivery of fraud prevention support. The group is seeking to secure more funding for call blockers. Upcoming CPP Work Rona Gold introduced two new members of the Community Planning team: John McLuckie, who will join on 11th July as Partnerships Lead (Community Planning); and Lucy Dunbar, who has recently taken up the post of Community Planning Officer. John will be looking at how best to identify outcomes for the next Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP). As part of her work, Lucy will support the Community Wealth Building Working Group to map related partner activities.
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Annual Report Rona Gold informed partners that Lucy will be in touch over the next few weeks to begin gathering case studies and other information for the Annual Report. Working towards a revision of the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP) It was noted that the end date of the current ABOIP is March 2023. As a ten year plan, the document has helped set direction but unforeseen events have arisen during those ten years leading to the need for reflection on whether this is still the best direction to follow. Rona Gold had presented a 2-year plan for conducting this review including extensive engagement, to the CPP in December 2019, however the pandemic seriously affected implementation. A detailed plan outlining how information will be gathered to review the existing, and create the next ten-year Outcome Improvement Plan will be brought to the September Management Committee meeting, with a view to engaging with communities during September and October. Rona proposed that the next 10-year plan may be less text-heavy and would likely include a review of progress on priorities after 3 years. It was agreed that all partners should notify Rona of any community engagement activities planned for the September-October period to enable collaboration where possible. The importance of the Community Planning Partnership in the Argyll and Bute area, and the requirement to be clear on the specific priorities for the new ABOIP to align with partner plans and strategies and with well-coordinated consultation was highlighted. It was also noted that the new plan needs to be understood by communities in plain English and local community plans also need to be recognised. It was also noted that the Council would be setting its political priorities at the Council meeting in September. MSYP Update Ryan MacIntyre reported that the 160 Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament will be meeting next week in Cumbernauld to set their priorities for the next two years. The motion to be brought forward by the Argyll and Bute Members is for the provision of study rooms for senior secondary school pupils. The recent Scottish Youth Parliament priorities debate included discussion on drugs misuse, educational attainment, the right to food and the climate emergency.
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The Argyll and Bute MSYPs plan a roadshow to tour the secondary schools in Argyll and Bute in August to establish contacts and ensure young people are represented and have their priorities identified. Information on the roadshows will be shared on their Instagram and Facebook pages. Levelling Up Fund Overview Fergus Murray reported that the Council is preparing two bids for the Levelling Up Fund. There will be a bid for up to £20m for regeneration work which will include investment in Rothesay Town Centre around the former Royal Hotel and Guildford Square and around Dunoon Pier, which could tie in with the Shaping Places for Wellbeing - Dunoon Project. There will also be a bid for up to £50m which will focus on transportation and infrastructure. One of the aims is to improve transport connections to Islay and Jura, specifically to unlock the potential of the spirit industry, including the provision of a low-carbon Jura Ferry. Road improvements and active travel routes are also proposed for Port Askaig. A further aim is to provide a secondary entrance to Dunbeg as part of the Dunbeg corridor with a new commercial area and additional housing. The bid also requests funding for improvements to the Tobermory – Salen road, a green fuelling station in Oban and development of the UAV Hub at Oban Airport. Outcome 1 Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership (ABEP) Ishabel Bremner presented a report, which can be found in full here: Employability Partnership Delivery Plan, 2022-25. Ishabel reported that the delivery plan had been created to focus on service delivery requirements and approaches, plus employability interventions for vulnerable residents and communities. The Scottish Government is seeking finalised delivery plans by June 30th. ABEP will provide bi-annual updates to the CPP MC with regard to the new delivery plan.
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AOCB The Chair offered congratulations to PC Stephen Tanner on Tiree, who had been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal and to John Fraser on Coll, who had been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal. Scottish Government Place Directors Rona Gold reported that the Scottish Government had created a role description for proposed Place Director positions. A Scottish Government Civil Servant would be appointed to the role and will join the CPP. Feedback on Digital Meeting Platform for CPP It was agreed that the CPP Team would circulate a short survey to capture the feedback of everyone on meeting format and preferences. For further information, please contact: Shona Barton, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council (01436) 657605 Shona.barton@argyll-bute.gov.uk