Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor J R Walsh.

The Chairman ruled, and the Committee agreed, in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2, that a report by the Head of Roads & Amenity Services in regard to the Rothesay Harbour, dealt with at item 7 (g) of the agenda, be taken as a matter of urgency due to the need to comply with tight timescales for progression of these matters.

Councillor Marshall spoke on the recent Scotland in Bloom Awards advising that Rothesay had been awarded 2^nd place in the Rosebowl Competition and Kirn won a silver in the large village award.

Councillor McNaughton spoke on the Cammanachd Cup and wished to forward the Committee’s congratulations to Kyles Athletic who played outstandingly will in the final.

Councillor L Scoullar declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9b by reason of being a member of the church.

The Minute of the Planning Hearing 08/02011/OUT of 30^th July 2009 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the Planning Hearing 08/00489/DET of 30^th July 2009 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the Special Area Committee of 30^th July 2009 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the Area Committee of the 4^th August 2009 was approved as a correct record.

Members heard an informative presentation from Marion Bowman and Donald MacLauchlan on Castle Lachlan.

Decision

Members agreed to support the project in principle.

Members heard an updated report on the proposed Final Loch Fyne Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan to be adopted as supplementary planning guidance.

Decision

The Committee:

i.                     Agreed to the proposed Final ICZM Plan in light of the Consultation Report and feedback from public stakeholders meetings.

ii.                   Recommend to the Executive Committee that the proposed final Loch Fyne ICZM Plan is approved and adopted as supplementary planning guidance.

(Reference:  Report by the Marine & Coastal Development Manager – submitted)

The Committee heard a verbal update from the Area Corporate Services Manager on the Gourock/Dunoon Ferry Service.

Decision

The Committee noted the detail provided on this matter.

Members heard from the Area Corporate Services Manager regarding the clarification of unspent Capital Receipts .

Decision

The Committee agreed to transfer the unspent receipt allocated to street signage in Cowal and Dunoon to allow some additional work on pedestrian crossings and ramps to be carried out during this financial year.

(Reference:  Report by the Area Corporate Services Manager dated 1^st September 2009 – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Corporate Services Manager on Cowal Europe.

Decision

The Committee agreed to continue this item to the December Area Committee.

Members heard an informative presentation by the Performance Manager and the Facility Services Manager on the achievements and operations of the Queen’s Hall/Riverside.

Members asked questions and it was agreed that Councillor Strong would feedback to Members regarding swimming lessons for school children.

Members heard from the Area Streetscene Manager on the Cleanliness Index Monitoring System for Street Cleansing and Validation Reports carried out by the Council and Keep Scotland Beautiful up to October 2008. 

Decision

The Committee:

i.                     Noted the contents of the Keep Scotland Beautiful report and the actions of Operational Services.

ii.                   The Area Streetscene Manager will circulate a copy of the letter sent by the Department to dog owner to Members.

(Reference:  Report by the Streetscene Manager – submitted)

Members heard from the Contracts Manager Argyll & Bute regarding the inspections of Scottish Water sites.

Decision

The Committee:

i.                     Noted the contents of the report.

ii.                   Agreed to accept bi monthly reports regarding Scottish Water inspections.

(Reference:  Report by the Roadspace Manager, Network and Environment Unit – submitted)

Members heard from the Contracts Manager Argyll & Bute regarding the Abbeyhill housing Development, Dhailling Road, Dunoon.

Decision

The Committee:

i.                     Noted the contents of the report.

ii.                   Agreed that an updated cost of the works to complete the unfinished development be forwarded to the Chair.

iii.                  Requested that an officer from Operational Services come to the October Business Day to explain the process around Construction Consents.

(Reference:  Report by the Network Manager dated 8^th September 2009 – submitted)

Members heard from the Contracts Manager Argyll & Bute regarding the car parking income and prioritisation on spending.

Decision

The Committee: 

i.                     Agreed their preferred options would be 4.4 and 4.8 providing both can be progressed within budget.

ii.                   Asked that Neil Brown provide the year to date spending/budget to the Area Committee in December.

iii.                  Asked that George Craig discuss with Scottish Water the rock disposal from the quarry.

(Reference:  Report by the Network Manager – submitted)

Members heard from the Contracts Manager Argyll & Bute regarding the proposed programme for provision of dropped kerbs during 2009/10.

Decision

The Committee:

i.                     Noted the contents of the report.

ii.                   Agreed to the transfer to the unspent Capital receipts to pedestrian crossing dropped kerbs.

(Reference:  Report by the Operations Manager – submitted)

Members heard from the Marine and Airports Manager on the safe operations of all marine traffic at Rothesay Harbour.

Decision

The Committee:

i.                     Recognises that as Harbour Authority that they have overall responsibility for ensuring the safe operations at Rothesay harbour under Port Marine Safety Code.

ii.                   Acknowledge that a full Risk Assessment and appropriate consultation has taken place with all relevant users of Rothesay Harbour.

iii.                  Agreed to issue a Notice to Mariners to ensure that safe working practices continue for all users of Rothesay Harbour.

iv.                 Agreed that Operational Services will report back to the December Area Committee on any significant issues arising from the management of the harbour in light of the new management rules being agreed.

v.                   Agreed that Council Officers make urgent contact with the owner of MV Seahorse to discuss all identified options to provide a suitable berth for the vessel and report back to the December Area Committee on progression of these discussions.

(Reference:  Report by the Head of Road and Amenity Services dated 14^th August 2009 – submitted)

Chief Inspector Mosley advised on current staffing levels and the situation with the Inspectors posts.  He also advised that the new Traffic Inspector will be based in Dunoon and they are running an initiative on cracking down on noisy exhausts.

Mr Baker expressed his concerns over the recent Community Council Elections and received advice from the Area Corporate Services Manager. 

Anne Gabriel, Dunoon Community Council also expressed her concerns over posters she had received for the Community Council Election.

Councillor Marshall asked George Craig about the extent of the work carried out on the Kames High Road and it was agreed George Craig would bring a paper to the October Business Day.

Councillor McNaughton expressed his concerns over the Stronafian road signs and Paul Farrell advised there was a scheme being proposed.

Councillor Macintyre submitted his apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public for the following items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the lease of the shop premises at 31 Argyll Street, Dunoon.

Decision

The Committee:

i.                               Agreed to recommendation 3.2.2 of the report by the Director of Corporate Services.

ii.                              Noted that the consent of the Scottish Ministers would be required along with the approval of the Council’s Executive Committee.

(Reference:  Report by the Director of Corporate Services dated 22^nd September 2009 – submitted)

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the proposed lease of ground at the Meadows, Rothesay.

Decision

The Committee

i.                     Agreed with the recommendation contained in the report by the Director of Corporate Services.

ii.                   Noted that the consent of the Scottish Ministers would be required along with the approval of the Council’s Executive Committee.

(Reference:  Report by the Director of Corporate Services dated 11^th September 2009 – submitted)

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the sale of the attic flat at Arthurlie, 20 Mount Pleasant Road, Rothesay.

Decision

The Committee agreed with the recommendation contained in the report by the Director of Corporate Services.

(Reference:  Report by the Director of Corporate Services dated 1^st October 2009 – tabled)