Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors J McQueen and JR Walsh.

The Chairman ruled and the Committee agreed, in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2 that a report regarding the potential sale of Castle Toward, dealt with at item 8 of this minute, be taken as a matter of urgency due to recent representations which have been made to Area Committee Members.

None

The Minute of the Area Committee of the 2^nd February 2010 was approved as a correct record.

Councillors Scoullar and Strong expressed their concern over the decision made at point 6 (c) of the minute and it was agreed this item would come back to the June Area Committee.

The Minute of the Special Area Committee of the 16^th February 2010 was approved as a correct record.

Due to the absence of the Officer leading on this matter, the item was continued to the June Area Committee.

The Committee heard a verbal update from the Area Corporate Services Manager on the Gourock/Dunoon Ferry Service.  She advised that the Tenders will be issued in May and the tender period will be 3 months.  Shirley MacLeod also advised that the final assessment of tenders lies with Scottish Government and that the work of the Tri-partite group has now been concluded.

Decision

The Committee noted the detail provided on this matter.

Due to the absence of the Officer leading on this matter, the item was continued to the June Area Committee.

Due to the absence of the Officer leading on this matter, the item was continued to the June Area Committee.

Councillor Marshall asked about Delayed Discharges and Councillor Strong commented on the problems they were having regarding Delayed Discharges in Bute.  Councillor Scoullar advised that the Locality Manager is fully aware of the situation.  Members agreed that Julie Hempleman would be invited along to the August Area Committee to give a detailed report on the up to date situation in Bute.

John Duncan spoke on Children and Families advising that they are working to full capacity and are very busy.  He explained that the service had to improve on performance and work to higher standards, they only deal with priority 1 and 2 cases and have good partnership working in place.

Councillor Marshall asked if Streetscene was still on course for full implementation in September and Allan Macdonald advised that it was.

Councillor Macintyre asked about the jetpatchers that the Council were due to purchase and was advised that there had been a problem with costs and the Council have had to go to a different supplier.

Councillor Marshall asked about when the refuse collection would be on a fortnightly collection and Allan Macdonald gave advice on this matter.

Councillor Strong commented on bins not being taken in after collection at Glebe Terrace and Councillor Simon advised that ACHA can charge tenants for not taking their bins back in.

Members heard from the Public Transport Officer on the reduction of discretionary expenditure on experimental bus services as required by the budget set by the Council on 18^th February 2010.

The Committee authorised termination or reduction of the experimental initiatives and services listed in Section 4 and continuation of those listed in Section 5 with the following changes.

i.                     Asked Douglas Blades to look at timetabling of point 4.1 to enable people a longer time in Dunoon.

ii.                   Agreed to the withdrawal of all the Saturday services at 4.2.

iii.                  Agreed to run 3 services at 4.5; this to consist of 2 supported services and 1 school run during the week and 3 supported service runs on a Saturday, funding permitting.

iv.                 Asked Douglas Blades to look at the timetabling at point 5.2 to enable people finishing work on the hour to catch the bus at the ferry terminal.

(Reference:  Report by the Strategic Transportation Manager – submitted)

Members heard from the Bute & Cowal Streetscene Manager on the current position of re-erecting headstones and details on dangerous headstones still within cemeteries.

Decision

The Committee noted the report by the Bute and Cowal Streetscene Manager with concern.

(Reference:  Report by the Bute and Cowal Streetscene Manager dated 18^th March 2010 – submitted)

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

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report by the Principal Engineer.

(Reference: Report by the Principal Engineer dated 25^th March 2010 – submitted)

This item was withdrawn.

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

Decision

The Committee:-

i.                     Noted the contents of the report.

ii.                   Agreed to discontinue this report from the Area Committee.

(Reference:  Report by the Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 19^th March 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 Corporate Services Manager on the potential sale of Castle Toward.

Decision

The Committee noted that a report would come to the Executive Committee on the 15^th April 2010.