COMMUNITY SERVICES

DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON’S REPORT – ARTS, CULTURE, LEISURE AND SPORT

It is with the greatest regret that a very valued Member of staff died in the early part of the year. Kerry Corbett’s contribution to the Arts and Culture sector was really second to none. She actively engaged with all sections of the community and was highly respected by all who worked and knew her. Our condolences go to her family who should be proud of her achievements particularly within her short time with Argyll and Bute Council.

Arts and Culture

Thursday 7 th May

The Scottish Highlands and Islands Film commission board meeting took place and prime agenda item was the presentation of a report commissioned by Highland Council into the review of the commission as a result of the review presentation a further extra meeting will take place in June of this year.

Tuesday June 2 nd

Mike Russell, Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, held a seminar for the Cultural sector in Scotland which I attended. He invited representatives from all agencies including government and voluntary sectors. The upshot of the meeting was that he and a small number of the group who were in attendance will work together to create a cultural strategy, which we as the wider group will feed into. An interesting observation from the session was how Glasgow and Edinburgh Councils now do their own marketing and promotion of their respective areas and perhaps a debate should be undertaken to see if this is a viable proposition for Argyll and Bute Council.

Monday 15 th June

Accompanied by Cllr Donnie MacMillan and Area Librarian Sue Fortune we met with the Scottish Library and Information Council. Representing them was the Director of SLIC, Elaine Fulton and her Deputy Rhona Arthur who were embarking upon a tour of Scotland to audit the various councils’ library provision. This proved to be a very honest and open meeting with both parties agreeing that the provision in Argyll and Bute could be better if more funding was available. Compliments to Sue for continuing to run the service during what is a difficult time for the staff concerned.

Friday 26 th June

The extra meeting of the Highland and Islands Film Commission Board took place in Inverness, with Paul Convery and I in attendance. Discussions took place following the report from Consultants who were commissioned by Highland Council. From the discussions it was agreed to re-focus energies to develop a strategy for the commission, attempting to renew and add to the partnerships already in existence. All council representatives were fully supportive of this very important service for the film and TV industry and hoped at budget times the respective councils would see the economic importance of the commission. Monday 29 th June

Accompanying Cllrs George Freeman and Danny Kelly I attended a presentation called Stories from the Ruins by Arrochar Primary school and Theatre Alba held at Auchindrain. The children presented a play of local historical interest which was enjoyed by all. This illustrated the importance of our local and national history with the local historical story being enacted in a nationally recognised museum.

Thursday 30 th July

With a number of council members and officers we met with the Culture Minister Mike Russell in Oban. Areas for discussion included the Gaelic strategy for Argyll and Bute and future funding strands. It was asked if there would be future funding from the government which would be ring fenced. The Minister could not guarantee any future funding, however if it were to be forthcoming it would be up to Local Authorities to request it to be ring fenced. I have also arranged to meet Donald MacLeod, Gaelic Education Support Officer to discuss the delivery of the Gaelic policy for Argyll and Bute.

In terms of Culture, the Minister raised the fact that spending within Argyll and Bute is currently 80p per head of population compared with Glasgow who spends £20.00 per head. I stated that I will be having a meeting soon with Donald MacVicar, Head of Service for Culture, and Angela Saunders from the Scottish Government to discuss issues related to culture within Argyll and Bute.

Leisure and Sport

Friday 24 th April

On behalf of the leader I had the honour to be present at the launch of the Fit for Life campaign which was launched by The Scottish Association for Mental Health on Friday 24 th April 2009. The guest speaker was Sir Chris Hoy who delivered an inspirational talk to the assembled audience which was representative of public private and voluntary sector. He made reference to the importance of exercise and the link with good mental health and challenged all sectors to work in partnership for the common aim of assisting people who suffer from a mental illness to be encouraged to take regular exercise.

Friday 1 st May

I attended the Homecomming steering group meeting which monitors the Homecoming project on behalf of the council. Mr Pat McCann has ably taken over officer responsibility for the day to day issues following the death of Kerry Corbett. Nicola Malcolm (Now Hackett), Active Sports Co-ordinator, presented projects that she is promoting for children’s shinty and golf, and Kathryn Wilkie presented programmes of events for another showing of the acclaimed Argyll Rhapsody.

Wednesday 6 th May 2009

I attended the board meeting of Stramash. The project is well under way to achieving charitable status and is now active in promoting its summer schedule.

Friday 5 th June 2009

Along with Willie Young, Principal Officer for Sports Development, I attended the volunteer’s awards ceremony which was co-hosted by Argyll and Bute Council and the voluntary sector. A particular personal pleasure was to present the overall sports award to local hero Duncan (Brochan) Aitken who has volunteered his services for 30 years towards the development and sustainability of Rugby in Mid Argyll and beyond. I felt this is a particularly poignant award as it demonstrates as did all the awards the huge contribution that volunteers provide for the residents of Argyll and Bute. It was also particularly pleasing to see Cllr John Semple present in one of his first formal engagements as Spokesperson for the 3 rd or voluntary sector.

Saturday 20 th June

I was invited to present the end of year prizes to the lochgilphead soccer centre children. This again illustrated the huge amount of voluntary time parents put in to run the centre. One of the parents, George Bruce, was awarded a prize from the council for 20years of sterling service.

Sunday 21 st June

Again I was invited to award prizes to the winners of the inter county athletics event held in Lochgilphead. Teams came from Mull, Oban, Lochgilphead and Campbeltown. All ages were represented from 7 years and upwards which was very impressive to see.

Wednesday 24 th June.

I was privileged to be part of the interview panel with Cllr Ellen Morton who chose the New Chief Executive for Stramash. The interviewees were of an extremely high quality and Mr Niall Urquhart was successful at Interview. As the council have had a vested interest in the new social enterprise it is good to report that the board feel Niall is in an excellent position to lead the organisation.

Saturday 18 th July 2009

At the invitation of the Camanachd Association I attended the Balliemore shinty cup final. This was a very keenly fought encounter between Kinlochsheil and Strathglass, with Strathglass eventually deserved winners by 5 goals to 1. Our very own Cllr Alex McNaughton was officiating as line judge for the event. Also in attendance was Cllr Isobel Strong in her capacity as Depute Provost and also Cllr Len Scoullar as a local member. This is the first of 2 Cup finals that will be televised by BBC Alba which Argyll should be proud to host with the second being the Camanachd Cup Final in Oban in September for Homecoming.

Tuesday 21 st July

All Local Members attended the Inveraray Highland Games on a very busy games day for the organisers. There were a multitude of events, and supported by local businesses, wer able to entertain the large crowds for the day. Justice Minister Kenny McAskill attended and enjoyed the games. It was also notable to see a large contingent of the clan Campbell who had travelled from all over the world to be part of the Homecoming theme enjoying the day. Councillor Douglas T Philand

Depute Spokesperson for Arts, Culture, Leisure and Sport

August 2009