Eilean a’ Cheo (Ward 11) – Forum Meeting

Tigh na Sgire Portree - 24th August 2009

Attendees:

Councillor Ian Renwick
Councillor John Laing Chair)
Councillor Drew Millar
Councillor Hamish Fraser
Morag Greenshields, Member of the Public
Roddy Murray, Sleat Community Council
Jim Rennie, Skeabost and District Community Council
David Ashford,Skye and Lochalsh Environmental Forum
Catriona Leslie, Portree Community Council
I H Nicolson, Sconser Community Council
Joan Turkington, Skye and Lochalsh Access Panel, CAB
Jim Towers, Minginish Community Council
Colin Hutchings Skye and Lochalsh Access Panel, CAB
Ross Cowie, Lucky2bhere
Moira MacLeod Dunvegan Community Council
Maressa Munro Dunvegan Community Council
Mary Laing, Member of the Public
Donna Campbell, Member of the Public
Ruaraigh MacNeil, Waternish Community Council
Kay Alston, Dunvegan Community Council
Julian Toms, Portree Community Company
Hector Macleod, Sconser Community Council
Niki Maclean, Minginish Community Council
Michael Russell, WHFP
Inspector Maclean, Northern Constabulary
Niel Campbell, Lucky2bhere

Officials in Attendance:

Jan Laing, Ward Manager
Kate Earnsahw, NHS
Angus MacLean , Scottish Ambulance Service
Stephanie Phillips, Scottish Ambulance Service
Tim Stott, Principal Planner, The Highland Council

Apologies:

Ian MacLean - Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association
Sylvia Porter, Staffin Community Council
Norma Young, Staffin Community Council
Alison Munro, Struan Community Council

Listed below is the action required and the outcomes resulting from discussion at the Eilean a’ Cheò Ward Forum meeting held on the 24th August 2009 at Dunvegan Hall.

1 Welcome and Introduction

Councillor Laing welcomed everyone to the Ward Forum Meeting and introduced Councillors and speakers.

2 Action Note & Matters Arising

The action note from the meeting of 29th June was noted.

Matters arising from previous note
Item 4.5 Councillor Millar reported that it is not normal policy to have school crossing patrollers at high schools. It is generally accepted that by the time children have reached high school they are road and traffic aware. However, this particular crossing point would, in normal circumstances have a crossing patroller. Unfortunately the Council have been unable to fill the vacancy to date. The vacancy has been advertised again.

3 Planning & Development Service Presentation - Tim Stott

Mr Stott gave a comprehensive power point presentation.
Issues arising from the presentation :
• Development areas should be spread more evenly
It is difficult to tackle the issue of lack of demand for developing in a particular place.

• Concern was expressed regarding the requirement for access statements only for larger developments.
This issue has also been raised in Lochaber. Mr Stott will liaise directly with Mrs Turkington as regards this issue.
One of the major changes in terms of the planning act is that the Council is now responsible for the neighbour notifications. This will be done through the local West Highland Free Press with the Area Local Development Plan Advertised in the Press & Journal as it is a Highland wide document to save resources.

4 Scottish Ambulance Service Strategy Consultation Presentation.

Stephanie Phillips gave a comprehensive presentation on the SAS Strategy Consultation – presentation attached. The main points and issues were noted:
This is the largest consultation exercise by the SAS – the original deadline for comments was extended to 11th September but they will continue to accept comment after this date.
The consultation is important in the remote rural areas as the SAS need to know the issues affecting these areas so they can respond accordingly
Issues Noted:
• Ambulance cover is too thin on Skye this issue needs to be addressed
• Ambulances need to respond safely and quickly to emergencies with the objective of freeing up the ambulance as quickly as possible.
Questions from the floor: (Response in italics)
Have staff been involved in the consultation process?
Staff have are being consulted and have generally been positive especially amongst the PTS Care Assistants.
Will the Skye and Lochalsh CHP be consulted about the strategy?
Yes.
There was an issues regarding the availability of paramedics in Skye - has this position changed?
The position has improved in Portree and Broadford – there is still a problem as regards Dunvegan
Is the NHS being involved in the consultation process?
Yes, there is a desire to collaborate more closely with colleagues in the NHS

Are the local CHP involved in the consultation process?
Yes.
In terms of Patient Transport will the strategy address rurality and local flexibility?
Remote and rural areas are a key theme in the consultation. There is a need to be flexible and creative in the way the service is delivered in these areas.
How to take part in the consulation
You can download Our Future Strategy - discussion with patients and the public and Our Future Strategy - discussion with partners from our documents library.

You can contribute to the consultation through the Scottish Ambulance Service website, by emailing sas.strategy@nhs.net or in writing to:
Future Strategy Project
Scottish Ambulance Service
National Headquarters
Tipperlinn Road
Edinburgh, EH10 5UU

5 NHS Update on the Public Engagement Exercise - Kate Earnshaw

Ms Earnshaw gave an introduction and background to the consultation exercise. Key issues noted in the introduction were:
The ageing population on Skye, coupled with multiple and complex needs is putting added pressure on all services.

As demand increases, costs rise and funding diminishes there are significant financial challenges for all public sector bodies which require new ways of delivery services

Ms Earnshaw referred to the significant improvements that have been made in Skye and Lochalsh over recent times- including the upgrading of accommodation at Portree Hospital, the new Kyle Health Centre, developments in the dental services in Kyle with future development scheduled for Portree . In addition there is an extension of out patient and diagnostic services. There are also developments in alcohol and detox facilities in Portree and Broad ford. On Raasay the NHS have been working closely with the Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association to explore options that will replace the old nurses house with a purpose built facility and in Broadford it is anticipated that work will start on a new doctors surgery by the end of the year.

In terms of the consultation process the following main points were noted:

• The NHS are working closely with the voluntary sector to ensure the process is open and transparent. The process to date has involved, The Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Service and the Skye and Lochalsh Community Care Forum and the Scottish Health Council.

• The timescale for the consultation has slipped due to the need for the other agencies involved to have more time to build the consultation into their work programmes
• The involvement of MSP’s in the matter and the subsequent questionnaire circulated separately also serve to potentially confuse any subsequent NHS consultation.

• There are likely to be 6/7 questions in the questionnaire formed jointly in partnership with the voluntary sector.

• The consultation will be available in a wide range of different formats including facilitated focus groups, online, postal survey utilising where possible existing groups – e,g, Lunch Clubs, Mental Health Development Group, Community Councils, and Youth Groups etc. There will also be an advert in the West Highland Free Press and on the SLCVO website.

• Once the questions have been formed it will be piloted and amended as necessary prior to being distributed for full public consultation.

• The questionnaire will be distributed as widely as possible for example through: service points, libraries, surgeries, hospitals and all existing networks and partnership organisations. It will also be available on the SLCVO website through Survey monkey.

Questions from the floor:

1. What is the situation regarding the potential for a new hospital in Broadford?

This will be included as part of the of the consultation exercise.

2. Concern was expressed about the issue of visitors to the island who further overburden the existing provision. To reduce beds and staffing further will compound this problem.

The intention of the \NHS is not to remove or reduce service but to do things differently by using what is there in a better way. The NHS hold patient safety at the forefront of any change to service delivery.

3. Councillor Fraser expressed a view that no further changes should be made until after the consultation is complete and the results made public. Ms Earnshaw gave assurances that no significant changes would be made until after the public engagement exercise, however she did state that NHSwould need to make some changes to services to meet financial challenges the locality were facing.

6 Community Council Issues

It was noted that a date of the 20th October had been agreed for the initial meeting to discuss a Forum for Skye Community Councils.
It was further noted that this date falls in the October school holidays this being the case JL advised the Forum that another date will be identified and all Community Councils will be advised.

7 Ward Discretionary Budget Update.

JL reported that a total of 7 awards have now been made from the Discretionary Budget totalling £17,950
The balance of funding still available is £42,658.

8 Public Question & Answer Session

No Notified questions - all questions from the floor were dealt with item by item.

9 A.O.B

Councillor Laing suggested that someone attends the next Ward Forum to talk about the digital switchover.

10 Date of next meeting.