Paper 1

Perth and Kinross Community Transport Group

Annual Meeting

27^th 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 27^th 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

Abuse of Concessionary Fares

Councillor John Kellas raised this issue and JS stated this is being monitored carefully.

Council – one stop shop?

Jim Gibb asked if the Council is to be the one stop shop for funding and JS responded by saying No, that the Government have empowered the LA to do as they seem fit and that they will have monies previously available through Government. JS said that match funding would help organisations and he would like to see created Communities of Interest.

Direct Voluntary Sector Funding/Scottish Investment Fund

Morna Calcott requested confirmation that the £63m voluntary sector funding (through CVS) and the £30m Scottish Investment Fund had not been given to local authorities. JS replied the monies had not been given to local authorities and that the Scottish Investment Fund invests in Social Enterprises. It is NOT a grant distribution. It is to support viable SE businesses access finance to lead to revenue flow.  JS had received feedback that the single outcome agreements have driven the importance of relationships between LA and Groups.

RCTI

John Berry expressed that he felt P&K had not done particularly well out of the RCTI and he has concerns over new projects, that the local authority allocation of funds is based on previous applicants success and not on future projects.

JS responded that P&K Council will have had increased monies in other areas and that total service provision from the range of services available was the focus. The profile of spending is in accordance with needs. From 2011 constraints will not be applied.

Sue Sadler stated that P&KC have already put a lot of money into rural services, more resources than for example Dundee – does this also even out?
JS said there are main drivers, these being population, deprivation and rurality. These are historic factors that are taken into account in the Local Authority Finance settlement.

JS stated that he has been discussing with the Convention of Local Authorities, how we arrive at details on a more transparent way.

Concessionary Fares

Sue Sadler said she would like to see CT users accessing the Concessionary Fare Scheme, as there is a gap that needs to be met. CT does not have the capacity to make up the difference in fares.

JS said the government will look at eligibility and the scheme is currently going through a statutory review

Morna Calcott suggested limiting the number of miles or no of journeys for those entitled under the scheme, but JS said that the scheme was unlimited and that changes like this may dent enthusiasm.

Accessibility Issues

Raine Du Puy commended the Concessionary Fare Scheme however stated that there is a lack of disability awareness by transport providers and she feels the LA should be putting pressure on transport providers.

JS stated there is a legal framework in place and that this needs to be enforced. He recognised this as a significant issue.