1. Gigha Heritage Trust – Housing Improvement Programme

COMMUNITY SERVICES SPOKESPERSON’S REPORT – RURAL AND ISLAND AFFAIRS, HOUSING AND GAELIC

I recently visited Gigha to meet with the Gigha Heritage Trust to discuss their Housing Improvement Programme. Following a buy out of the island by the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust in 2002, a feasibility study into the conditions of the dwellings on the island was commissioned and found that a number of the dwellings did not meet a tolerable standard. This in conjunction with the increase in population and investment in wind energy and local industry highlighted the need for housing improvement in the island.

I am pleased to report that on the 10 th March, the Executive agreed to fund 2 properties on the island over the 2011/12 period at a cost of £60k per unit. This in combination with the great work being carried out by the Gigha Heritage Trust will go some way in ensuring the future prosperity of the island and its inhabitants.

2. Rural Housing Services Conference

I attended the Rural Housing Services Annual conference held in the Birnam Institute in Dunkeld on the 25 th February.

The conference featured debate and discussion on the significant issues facing rural Scotland today and focused on ‘Fresh Thinking for Rural Scotland’. Presentations were made by Madhu Satsangi, Convenor of the Rural Housing Service, Holly Sims, Calor Gas Ltd on the future of rural energy in Scotland, Lesley Riddoch, Journalist on empowering communities or sticking plaster Scotland, Sue Chalkley, Hastoe Housing Association on how to build rural housing with no housing grant. Workshops were also given on a number of topics including rural homes for rent, empty homes – opportunities for action, new ideas in housing finance, 2012 – the end of homelessness and Community Land Trusts and Housing.

I found this event very informative and I benefited from meeting a group of young parents from Mull who are trying to encourage housing development in the area, in particular new crofts to support the local school and other local services.

3. Chartered Institute of Housing – Excellence in Regeneration Award

During my visit to the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Annual Conference on the 13 th March, I was honoured to be asked by the Gigha Heritage Trust to join them in receiving their award for Excellence in Regeneration, which was sponsored by Scottish Government’s Scottish Centre for Regeneration.

Presented by Minister Alex Neil to Susan Allan, John Martin and Lukas Lehmann from the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, this regeneration project has been a comprehensive approach covering housing, population growth, schools, energy provision, business, employment, and tourism: the Award’s panel noted that the approach had been “as holistic as it gets”.

With the Trust’s other key partners having included Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Fyne Homes, it was the commitment, passion and persistence of the Trust – and in particular of its volunteer board members – which the judging panel felt had really driven the dramatic turnaround of the island. In 2002, the population numbered 98, with only 6 children in the primary school. Almost all of the housing stock inherited by the Trust was in awful condition despite being occupied.

But the population is now 158, with 22 children in the school, and 23 properties – more than half the total – have been renovated. Employment is up and tourism is very much on the increase.

4. Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP)

I chaired my first Strategic Housing and Communities Forum on the 25 th March in the Council Chambers, Kilmory. The meeting was attended by Council Officers, ACHA, Alienergy, Dunbritton, Fyne Homes, NHS Highland, Scottish Government, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and the West Highland Housing Association and focused on a number of housing issues within Argyll and Bute including;

• Fire Safety in RSL Homes

ACHA have met with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue twice to discuss this issue and will report more detailed findings to the next meeting; however they advised that Strathclyde Fire and Rescue have recently undertaken analysis of domestic chimney fire incidents and identified Islay as a particular “hotspot”. They plan to run a Fire Safety Roadshow on the island in June 2011, with a view to rolling this exercise out to other areas and will aim to involve others RSLs. Leaflets have also been devised

following feedback from local fire crews and these will be issued shortly to local residents.

• Local Housing Strategy

The group reviewed the positive progress and key achievements delivered against the 2010/11 Local Housing Strategy actions and targets. These include 182 new build homes – more than double the original supply target. There were however, 2 actions that weren’t achieved due to various resource constraints – landbank register and local house condition surveys. Both which I am pleased to report will be achieved by the end of the year.

• Scottish Government Housing & Regeneration Update

The publication of the new Scottish Government Action Plan and Policy document ‘Homes Fit for 21 st Century’ was noted which sets out the new context of a difficult and challenging environment of severely limited resources whilst retaining the primary strategic objective of maximising affordable supply. The 3 basic funding strands which will replace the previous AHIP structure were also outlined.

• Home Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty

A report by ALIenergy was tabled for discussion on the current projects being undertaken across Argyll and Bute under the ALIenergy umbrella. The report contained information on the large number of referrals generated and highlighted the problematic nature of the local housing stock and consequent difficulties for traditional insulation measures.

• Local Plan

The group were brought up to date on the local plan and it was noted that land supply for affordable housing has been a main concern for planners, given the very high levels of need identified in many areas. A recent letter from the Scottish Government’s Chief Planner was outlined and it was noted that this recommends greater flexibility in dealing with private development quotas for the delivery of affordable housing given the current economic climate.

5. COSLA – Community Wellbeing and Safety Executive Group

On the 24 th February I attended the COSLA meeting for the Community Wellbeing and Safety Executive Group which was held in Edinburgh. Presentations were made on Fire and Police consultations and from the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Items on the agenda for discussion included; 3

• Housing – Scottish Government’s 10 Year Strategy and Action Plan The Strategy and Action Plan outlines the Scottish Government’s vision that by 2020 there should be, ‘a housing system which provides an affordable home for all’. The Scottish Government also intends to achieve the 2012 homelessness target, the 2015 Scottish Housing Quality Standard, the 2016 fuel poverty target and the 2020 climate change target. The key elements of this strategic approach are;

- Opposing UK reforms to Housing Benefit and the tenancy system - Supporting home ownership by encouraging the use of products such as shared equity and rent to buy - Using government funding to lever in investment from other sources - Support local innovation by encouraging pilots to address supply and other challenges - Making better use of existing homes, limiting the right to buy and increasing the use of empty of under-occupied homes - Managing housing need by providing housing options and offering ‘housing health checks’ - Developing a Strategy for Sustainable Housing in Scotland to meet climate change targets

• Scottish Social Housing Charter A report was tabled for discussion on the Social Housing Charter. It was noted that in preparing the Charter the Scottish Government is consulting with a range of stakeholders including the Regulator, landlords, tenants, homeless people, councillors, funders and others. The Housing Regulator will use the Charter as the starting point for assessing a landlord’s performance. It will publish performance reports and will be able to set performance improvement targets.

If progress proceeds, subject to Parliament’s approval, the first Charter would come into effect in 2012. A wide range of standards and outcomes, around themes such as tenant participation, access to housing, value for money, communication, repairs and maintenance are being proposed for the Charter.

• Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Bill Discussion took place around the group’s response to the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Bill and it was noted that the bill seeks to amend the private landlord registration scheme and the Houses in Multiple Occupation licensing scheme. The Bill would also introduce a new statutory overcrowding notice that local authorities’ could use to address overcrowding in their areas and also seeks to amend legislation relating to the private sector tenancy regime and related matters.

6. Gaelic Development

Since my appointment as Spokesperson I have been holding monthly meetings with staff involved in the development of Gaelic within the Council. My aim is to ensure Gaelic receives the high profile it deserves and it is hoped that regular contact between myself and staff involved in its development will ensure it remains high on the agenda.

I am also pleased to report that a Gaelic Awareness Day is currently being organised for the near future. This will be held for Elected Members and is aimed at promoting awareness of Gaelic language throughout Argyll and Bute.

I was delighted to hear that Argyll and Bute Council has been awarded £280,000 for the development of both a multi-media suite at Oban High School and a Gaelic centre in Oban.

A Gaelic Centre would create an opportunity to shift the mindset of communities to realising the potential of being bilingual, having an identity and global citizenship, protecting our heritage and culture and re-instating Argyll as a heartland of Gaelic language and culture.

This Capital Award from the Scottish Government would enable the development of a dedicated, modern Gaelic Centre that would make best use of an existing Council facility and would continue to operate, develop and maximise its potential as allowed by securing necessary external grants and funding.

The Gaelic centre would also greatly contribute to the implementation of Gaelic Language Plans through the following opportunities:

• A resourced venue for Gaelic Childcare and 0-3 Groups that could include wrap around care for a day or two a week. Parent and toddler groups could hold structured, language focussed sessions in an all Gaelic setting. • In addition to registered pre-school Gaelic provision at Oban primary campus further exposure to Gaelic could be offered to families through activities geared towards the use of Gaelic in the home setting. Opportunities to access and experience Gaelic are limited and maximum possible exposure, particularly at a young age and for parents, is crucial to language development and ensuring Gaelic is a natural part of daily lives. • Allow for exposure to Gaelic in a range of contexts for school aged pupils to experience Gaelic outwith the school setting and in a completely Gaelic environment. Extensive work is required to be undertaken to ensure young people fully understand that Gaelic is more than a school subject or a medium of education and the utilisation of expertise within our communities to enhance this is critical.

• CPD opportunities for all Council staff could be facilitated and delivered through a Centre. 20 day Gaelic Learners in the Primary School teacher training delivery and refresher days, Ulpan Language Learning classes for all Council staff as part of CPD and Plan commitment and all Education led CPD for Gaelic staff. • Promotional and marketing materials are paramount in raising awareness, the profile and the image of Gaelic in our communities. Quality production resources could be purchased and all materials printed and distributed from Centre. Exhibitions and displays in a Gaelic related field presented an updated regularly and open to public and visitors. All promotional materials available to visitors also. • National Gaelic organisations operate in the Argyll area and a centre could provide a hub base for all partners, as has been developed in Inverness, Glasgow and soon to be Stornoway – New Bòrd na Gàidhlig Early years workers, BBC Alba reporter, Comunn nam Parant Parental Advisors, Ulpan tutors, Feisean nan Gaidheal officers and any other Gaelic partners requiring a base or office facilities. • The delivery of adult learning activities as a pathway to fluency and the training of tutors. • Fully support the Gaelic Culture and Arts sector by hosting events, shows and providing facilities. • Attract local and national seminars, workshops, conferences and events to Oban.

7. Islands – Video Conference

I recently conducted a video meeting with the communities on Colonsay and Coll regarding the Argyll Air Services. Both meetings were extremely positive and highlighted the desire for the service to continue.

I will continue to keep a watchful eye on the impact of any policies or decisions taken at meetings have on island communities.

Councillor Robin Currie Spokesperson for Rural and Island Affairs, Housing and Gaelic April 2011