Paper 1
Perth and Kinross Community Transport Group
Annual Meeting
27th June 2008
Present:
|
Norman Jarvie |
Chairman PKCTG |
|
Jim Gibb |
Treasurer PKCTG |
|
Angela Prescott |
CDW PKCTG |
|
Jane Laahs |
Voluntary Services
Manager NHS Tayside |
|
Karen Cowley |
Chief Executive,
PKAVS |
|
Liz Lines |
Aberfeldy Hospital Cars |
|
Frank Muggridge |
Strathcare |
|
James Robertson |
Perth Access Cars |
|
Duncan Hearsum |
Order of Malta, Dial A Journey, Stirling |
|
Morna Calcott |
Kinross Volunteer
Group and Rural Outreach Scheme |
|
Raine Du Puy |
P&K Access
Group |
|
John MacDonald |
CTA Director
for Scotland |
|
Evelyn Gardiner |
Head of Planning
and Performance P&K CHP |
|
Ann Munro |
Kinross Volunteer
Group and Rural Outreach Scheme |
|
Kelvin Reay |
Kinross Volunteer
Group and Rural Outreach Scheme |
|
Kathleen Coffey |
WRVS |
|
Mark Scholes |
Head of Support
Services PRI and hospitals in P&K |
|
Councillor
Ken Lyall |
Ward 4 - Highland |
|
John Berry |
P&KC PTU |
|
Niall Moran
|
PKCTG and P&K
PTU |
|
Councillor
Kate Howie |
Ward 4 - Highland |
|
Brian Main |
Head of Support Services Ninewells Hospital & Medical School |
|
Bill O'Driscoll |
P&KC PTU |
|
Councillor
John Kellas |
Ward 5 Strathtay
and Convenor of the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee |
|
Councillor
Alasdair Wylie |
Ward 5 Strathtay |
|
Councillor
Wilma Lumsden |
Ward 9 Almond
and Earn |
|
Councillor
Ann Cowan |
Ward 6 - Strathearn |
|
Brian Martin |
PTU P&K
Council |
|
John Pearson |
Pitlochry Community
Council |
|
Sue Sadler |
|
|
Karen Taylor |
WRVS |
Apologies:
|
Brian Masson |
Angus Transport
Forum |
|
Helen Flatley |
Community Learning
Development Partnership |
|
Donald Duff |
Auchterarder
and District Community Council
Hospital Car
Service |
|
Councillor
Ian Miller |
Leader of the
Council - P&K |
|
Councillor
Alan Grant |
Ward 2 - Strathmore |
|
Councillor
George Hayton |
Ward 9 - Almond
and Earn |
|
Councillor
Archie McClellan |
Ward 12 - Perth City Centre |
|
Councillor
Heather Stuart |
Ward 12 - Perth City Centre |
|
Councillor
Lorraine Caddell |
Ward 10 - Perth South City |
|
Councillor
Caroline Shiers |
Ward 3 - Blairgowrie
and Glens |
|
Councillor
Bob Ellis |
Ward 3 - Blairgowrie
and Glens |
|
Neill Aitken |
On behalf of
Comrie Driving Service |
|
Councillor
Ann Gaunt |
Ward 7 and
Vice Convenor of Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee |
|
Provost John
Hulbert |
P&K Council |
|
Councillor
Dennis Melloy |
Ward 2 - Strathmore |
|
Richard McDermid |
Capability
Scotland |
|
Donald Isles |
Pitlochry Senior
Citizens |
|
Bob Gillespie |
PKAVS |
|
Dorothy Young |
Kinross Day
Centre |
|
Councillor
Mike Barnacle |
Ward 8 - Kinross-shire |
|
Colin Carr |
PKAVS |
|
Sarah Renwick |
Volunteer Centre,
Perth |
|
Isobel Watson |
Pitlochry Hospital Cars |
|
John MacDonald |
Director for
Scotland CTA |
|
Lorna Lambert |
Volunteer Centre,
Perth |
|
Andrew Warrington |
P&K Public
Transport Unit |
|
Bill Wilson |
P&K Council |
1. Present and Apologies
Norman Jarvie, Chairman welcomed representatives from Community Transport Organisations,
P&K Council, NHS and Community Councils to the Perth and Kinross Community Transport Group (PKCTG) Annual General Meeting
on 27th June 2008. Norman
introduced John Swinney MSP as the keynote speaker. Apologies were noted.
Norman described the changing and challenging times for the Voluntary Sector
with funding a key concern for many. He described the enormous reservoir of volunteers
and community support across Perth and Kinross. He described
common issues and concerns regarding insurance, risk management and funding that Voluntary Car Schemes are faced with.
John Swinney in response paid tribute to the commitment and active involvement of the Voluntary Sector
in Perth and Kinross, stating that the Public Sector would
have an enormous undertaking, should they ever have to absorb and perform the work the Voluntary Sector undertakes. He stated
that following the spending review, resources gave been increased by 37% over a three year period which means increased resource
allocation.
The Minister outlined the reason for removal of ring-fencing and transfer of funds from Central Government
to Local Authorities, saying that Local Authorities are best placed to deal with local issues and distribute funds where appropriate.
Norman Jarvie requested that in these challenging times, consideration be given to funding of Community Transport as the benefit
to clients and volunteers and their health and well-being cannot be understated. John Swinney stated that the Government will
engage to ensure that resources will be used to maximum benefit.
A question and Answer session followed:
When questioned about Fuel prices and duty the Minister
said that every organisation is affected by fuel concerns. As a government, there is four and a half billion pound in the
Treasury, greater than expected, and the challenge is to try to distribute this. He has met with Jack Straw and Ministers
from Wales and Northern
Ireland with a plea to reduce the taxation regime on fuel. In the long term a fuel duty moderator
may be appropriate.
Blue Badge concerns
The Government are going to support legislation which includes use of disabled parking spaces and issue
of Blue Badges and John Swinney would be happy to deal with specific cases.
Concessionary Fares
John Swinney described the success of the Concessionary Travel Fare Scheme which keeps people active
and allows people to access services. The Scheme illustrates what the administration is trying to achieve, to be active and
hoping to retain active contribution. He commended CT and made reference to investigations into DRT in his own Constituency.
He praised the adaptation of bus timetabling and made reference to the success of the Blairgowrie Freedom Coach and the benefits
this service provides i.e. mobility and access and associated health benefits. He stated a vision of Integrated Service Provision