Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted that item 9 (e) on the published agenda had been withdrawn.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor L Scoullar.

None

The Minute of the Area Committee of the 1^st December 2009 was approved as a correct record.

Members heard an informative presentation by Janet MacKellar of the HELP Project on their recent employment programme.  Janet MacKellar advised that the programme had been very successful and she will be running it again in the near future.

Members asked questions and agreed to work in partnership with the HELP project.

Members heard an informative presentation from Stewart Shaw, Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School on the major achievements of the school in 2008/09 including the SQA examination results for pupils who sat examinations in May/June 2009.

Decision

The Committee:-  

i.                             Noted the amendment to the report Summary to delete the working Strategic Policy Committee and insert Executive Committee.

ii.                            Noted the continuing improvement on the performance of pupils and the commitment of staff in their examination successes and in the wider aspects of achievement across the school.

(Reference: Report by the Head Teacher Dunoon Grammar School – submitted)

The Committee heard a verbal update from the Area Corporate Services Manager on the Gourock/Dunoon Ferry Service.  She advised the advert for the tendering process has been issued as first part of the process and is in line with agreed timescales.

Decision

The Committee noted the detail provided on this matter.

Members heard an update report from the Area Corporate Services Manager on the work of both Cruach Mhor and Clachan Flats Farm Trusts.

Decision

The Committee noted the most recent annual updates on the work of the Trusts.

(Reference: Report by the Area Corporate Services Manager dated 22^nd January 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Corporate Services Manager on the information regarding a recent request made to the Council to mark the bi-centenary of the birth of Louis Braille.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.                     Agreed to a commemorative plaque being erected within the Town Centre Regeneration Project.

ii.                   Agreed to a commemorative plaque being erected in Rothesay Library.

(Reference: Report but he Area Corporate Services Manager dated 11^th January 2010 – submitted)

Members heard an update report from the Area Corporate Services Manager on the potential twinning visit of officials from Korcula to Bute and Cowal in August 2010.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.                     Noted the contents of the report.

ii.                   Agreed to seek financial assistance from the Provost’s fund regarding the potential visit by officials from Korcula.

(Reference: Report by the Area Corporate Services Manager dated 22^nd January 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Corporate Services Manager on the Bute and Cowal Area Plan.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.                     Members noted the Milton Burn Flood Prevention Scheme would be added to the Pyramid system.

ii.                   Approved the Bute and Cowal Area Plan as outlined in the report by the Area Corporate Services Manager.

iii.                  Agreed to recommend the Plan for approval by the Council in February 2010.

(Reference:-  Report by the Area Corporate Services Manager – submitted)

The Committee were asked questions from Mr Moonan on the provision of solar panels on the Grammar School and received advice.  

Kirsty Reid asked about Skills to Work and whether this was included within the HMIE Report and received advice from the Head Teacher and Councillor Strong.

Heather Graham asked about underachievers and if there was some help for them before they are with the HELP project and received advice from the Head Teacher.

Liz Carey, South Cowal Community Council asked about Curriculum for Excellence and timescales involved and received advice from Councillor Strong and the Head Teacher.

Councillor Marshall asked Inspector Armstrong about the Campus Officer in Dunoon Grammar School and Inspector Armstrong advised that there was a new shift pattern in the Cowal area and the Police were having discussion with the school to a solution.

Kirsty Reid asked about the Area Plan and whether the play park in Forest View would become a partnership and Councillor Marshall advised that this was an item for discussion at the Business Day.

Councillor Simon asked about young people being represented at the LACPG from the Grammar School and the Head Teacher advised that he would be happy for this to happen, Martin Turnbull also gave advice.

Anne Gabriel, Dunoon Community Council asked about the problem that had arisen at Hogmanay regarding drinking at the Jubilee Lamp and Inspector Armstrong advised that this had been a breakdown in communication and would not happen next year. 

Anne Gabriel also advised the committee that she had received an email from New South Wales in Australia and Dunoon Community Council would keep the correspondence between Dunoon and Australia going.

Mr Moonan asked about the Dunoon/Gourock Ferry services and Councillor Walsh advised that the Council’s position has not changed.

John Duncan spoke on the Council’s obligations to Children and Adults and David Eaglesham spoke on the new Planning Legislation.

Mr Baker asked if a sign could be erected on the A815 advising cars of the entrance to Stratheck Caravan Park and Councillor Marshall said he would advise the Roads Manager.

Members heard an update report on the status of the Milton Burn Flood Prevention Scheme

Decision

The Committee:-

i.                     Noted the contents of the report by the Principal Engineer.

ii.                   Agreed to invite the appropriate person from Morrison Supermarket to the February Business Day to discuss issues relating to the Flood Prevention Scheme.

(Reference:  Report by the Principal Engineer dated 15^th January 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Corporate Services Manager on the inspections of Scottish Water Sites.

Decision

The Committee:

i.                     Noted the contents of the report.

ii.                   Noted that a representative from Scottish Water would be attending the Business Meeting in February regarding the detail of the inspections and the quality of information in the bimonthly report.

(Reference:  Report by the Head of Roads & Amenity Services dated 25^th January 2010 – submitted)

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 request by Glendaruel Hall Committee.

Decision

The Committee agreed to recommend to the Executive Committee to approve the recommendation contained in the report by the Director of Corporate Services and subject to consent by Scottish Government.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Legal and Protective Services dated 6^th January 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the request from Toward Sailing Club.

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 7^th January 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the request by Scottish & Southern Energy to acquire an area of ground at Ballochgoy.

Decision

The Committee agreed to authorise the Director of Corporate Service to conclude the disposal of this additional area of ground on the basis of the terms and conditions of the report.

(Reference:  Report by the Director of Corporate Services dated 2^nd February 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the request from Scottish Water regarding the sale of land in connection with the on-going programme of works in the area.

Decision

The Committee agreed to delegate the disposals on the basis of the terms and conditions summarised within the report to the Estates Surveyor in consultation with the Chair and three local Members subject to clarification on issues raised.

(Reference: Report by the Director of Corporate Services dated 2^nd February 2010 – submitted)

This item was withdrawn

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the lease of the tearoom at Ardencraig Gardens, 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 27^th January 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the lease of the former Cabman’s Rest, Rothesay.

Decision

The Committee agreed to continue report to undertake investigation into the issues raised by Members.

(Reference:  Report by the Director of Corporate Services dated 27^th January 2010 – submitted)