EILEAN A’ CHEÒ (WARD 11) – FORUM MEETING

16th November 2009

DRAFT ACTION NOTE (For approval at the next meeting on the 1st February 2010)


ATTENDEES:
Councillor John Laing (Chair) 
Councillor Drew Millar
Councillor Ian Renwick 
Councillor Hamish Fraser
Catriona Lesley, Portree Community Council 
Joan Turkington, Kyle and Lochalsh Access Panel and S&L CAB
Jennifer Millington, Crossroads Care 
Peter Richell, Crossroads Care
David Ashford, Skye and Lochalsh Environmental Forum 
Duncan Forrest, GMB/ ASU Staff rep
Julian Toms, Portree Community Company  
Charlie Lyons, Member of the public
Callum Campbell, Scottish Ambulance Service 
Duncan Maclean, Northern Constabulary
Dolina Macleod, Scottish Ambulance Service 
Ian MacLean  L&S Housing Association
Ruaraigh MacNeil, Waternish Community Council  
John McDiarmid, BBC ALBA
A McIsaac, Skye Floors and Interiors 
Stephen Smith, Highland Motors Ltd

OFFICALS IN ATTENDANCE: 
Fay Macrae, CEO, The Highland Council  
Mark Crowe Community Works Manager, TECS, The Highland Council

APOLOGIES: 
Jan Laing, Ward Manger, CEO, The Highland Council  
Lachie MacDonald   - Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association
Sylvia Porter, Staffin Community Council 
Jim Towers, Minginish Community Council and  Community Care Forum

Listed below is the action required and the outcomes resulting from discussion at the Eilean a’ Cheò  Ward Forum meeting on 16th November  2009 held at Tigh Na Sgire, Portree.

1.    WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
1.1  Councillor Laing welcomed everyone to the Ward Forum Meeting and introduced the Councillors and speakers.

2.    ACTION NOTE
2.1  The action note from the meeting of 5th October 2009 was approved.

3.    THE ECONOMY  - SURVIVING THE RECESSION ON SKYE –       ROBERT MUIR HIE
3.1   Mr Muir highlighted some of the changes at HIE following the 2007 Review.  The following main points were noted:

  • Following the 2007review  a new strategy was developed and roles and responsibilities changed.
  • In terms of business start up this is delivered through the Highland Council under business gateway
  • Skills Development Scotland is a new agency which deals with apprenticeships, careers and guidance and training.
  • HIE works with high growth businesses
    3.2 In response to a question from the forum regarding apprentice ships, Mr Muir responded by saying that there isn’t enough funding for adult apprenticeships.  Businesses create jobs and HIE support the businesses.

4.   DEPARTMENT OF WORK AND PENSIONS – FIONA GIBSON AND 
      TREENA MACLAINE
4.1  Presentation Attached

5    SCOTTISH AMBULANCE SERVICE – CALLUM CAMPBELL AND
      DOLINA MACLEOD
5.1 Questions from the Forum

There is concern about ambulance drivers working all day then on call at night, they have no time to recover and are being put at risk.

This is why we operate a Fatigue Policy which allows staff an extended period to lie in at home  (e.g.) If they are called out for 5 hours during their call on call period they are given this time to lie in and as this is paid time the staff have agreed to be available to respond to 999 calls. This system is operated in all rural locations where there is on call duty.

As regards patient transport, would it be possible for Consultants to come to Skye rather than patients travelling to Inverness?

This issue is being looked at in Invergordon and other areas.  It could be feasible but there needs to be a willingness from the consultants to make it happen and the Patient Transport Service would need to be consulted prior to any new developments in relation to this issue.

Is there any prospect of shift working in Portree, to avoid the problems currently being experienced by medical staff as a result of 'fatigue' rest periods taken by staff after night runs to Inverness. Apparently staff will still respond to 999 calls but not to any other calls when on fatigue breaks, meaning that medical staff have to wait for vehicles from other parts of the island (if available).

The S.A.S have and are continuously reviewing shift working patterns which also includes the options of reduction of on call working.  The elimination of on call working at Portree and other rural locations has a massive financial implications (for example) Portree at this time has a compliment of 5 staff but to eliminate on call we would require a complement of 12 staff and under the current financial climate this amount of money is not available especially when we have so many other locations that are in a similar situation.  The Service continuing to review each location to see if there are any alternative operating options that may help in the reduction of on call.

I would like to add at this stage that we are now operating to full staff establishment in the Skye and Lochalsh area and that this year we have also employed an additional full time relief member of staff for this area to assist with cover during periods of staff absence.

6     COMMUNITY COUNCIL MATTERS
6.1  Catriona Leslie reported that at an initial meeting on the 3rd November the eight Skye Community. Councils in attendance agreed to participate in a Skye Community Councils Forum
6.2  The main points of the meeting were noted:

  • This is an opportunity for Community Council to share common issues, difficulties and good practice.
  • It will be a useful arena to address issues such as training
  • It offers an opportunity to work closer with other Community Councils, to learn from each other and to share good practice
  • It was agreed that the Forum would operate as a ‘virtual’ entity with two Ward Forums a year being dedicated to Community Council Issues

7      EILEAN A’ CHEÒ CIVIC RECOGNITION AWARDS
7.1    It was noted that Elected Members from Ward 11 Eilean a’ Cheò have decided to implement a series of Civic Awards which recognise outstanding ability or significant contribution by a group (or individual) to the communities of Skye and Raasay.
7.2   The awards categories will be:-

  • SPORTS
  • ARTS / MUSIC
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • COMMUNIT
  • ENTERPRISE
  • YOUNG PEOPLE

7.3   This is a civic recognition award in respect of the Eilean a’ Cheò Ward which includes Raasay. All nominees must::-

  • Be resident on the Isle of Skye or Raasay
  • Or can demonstrate their actions or activities have resulted in a significant benefit to the population of Skye or Raasay and as such would be eligible for civic recognition from the Ward

7.4  A press release will be issued when the Ward Manger returns to work.

8     WARD DISCRETIONARY BUDGET UPDATE
8.1  A paper with details of Discretionary Fund awards made to date was circulated with the action note for information.

9     QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
9.1  Councillor Fraser expressed the view of all elected members that Ms Naismiths letter to the WHFP of 28/10/09 summarised the councillors feelings. Elected members are concerned about the future of hospital provision on Skye and are disappointed in the NHS as it was noted that the proposed consultation meeting had been postponed again and no further date has been set
9.2  Concern was expressed by members of the Forum that the proposed NHS Review meeting postponed from June and now due to take place on the 7th December by VC from Portree Hospital would not be adequate.

10    AOB
10.1  Inspector  Maclean requested a copy of the Ward Forum dates for 2010

11    DATE OF NEXT MEETING
11.1  Monday 1st February 2010 Tigh na Sgire Portree 2pm