Agenda and minutes

None

Councillor Marshall declared a non financial interest in item 6 (a) by reason of being a members of the Burgh Hall Committee and took no part in the decision of that item.

Councillor MacAlister declared a non financial interest in item 6 (a) and 11 (b) by reason of being a member of the Burgh Hall Committee and of the Dunoon Combined Services Trust and took no part in the decision of those items.

Councillor McQueen declared a non financial interest in item 11 (b) by reason of being a members of the Dunoon Combined Services Trust and took no part in the decision of that item.

The Minutes of the Area Committee of the 3^rd August 2010 were approved as a correct record.

Members heard from the Performance Manager on the number of years service Robert Smith has given to the Burgh Council, District Council and Argyll and Bute Council.

The Committee presented Robert Smith with a Quaich and wished him all the best in his retirement.

The Committee heard a verbal update from the Area Manager, Customer Services on the Gourock/Dunoon Ferry Service.  She advised that the Tender Documents have still not been published but should be imminently.

Decision

The Committee noted the detail provided on this matter.

Members heard an update from the Area Manager, Customer Services on the Dunoon and District Allotment Association.

Decision

Members noted the work undertaken to date by the Area Manager and agreed the Council would continue to help facilitate the development of allotments when the Association can identify a suitable area of ground.

(Reference: Report by the Area Manager, Customer Services dated 7^th July 2010 – submitted)

Councillor A MacAlister and Councillor B Marshall, having declared a non financial interest in this item, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of the Dunoon Burgh Hall Project.

The Committee considered Third Sector and Events and Festivals Grants as follows:

(Reference: report by the Community Development Manager – submitted)

Members heard from the Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure Services, on the current developments regarding the safety of headstones in Argyll & Bute Cemeteries.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.         Agreed with the recommendations contained in the report by the Executive Director.

ii.       Agreed that Members would be kept informed on the programme and progress of the survey at the Area Business Days.

(Reference:  Report by the Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure Services dated 21^st July 201 – submitted)

Members heard from the Principal Engineer 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.       Noted that the future timeline of the Project is entirely dependant on the agreement regarding access being reached with Morrisons Supermarket.

(Reference: Report by the Principal Engineer dated 23^rd July 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure Services on the new festive lighting for Rothesay Town Centre.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.         Agreed with the recommendations contained in the report by the Executive Director.

ii.       Agreed an on site meeting would be arranged with the three local Members and Officers as soon as possible to progress this matter.

(Reference:  Report by the Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure Services dated 21^st August 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the THI Project Officer on the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan for Rothesay Town Centre Conservation Area.

Decision

The Committee approved the Rothesay Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

(Reference:  Report by the THI Project Officer – submitted)

Members heard from the Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure Services on the progress towards provision of a revised Policy and Operations Plan for Winter Maintenance Operations 2010-11.

Decision

The Committee noted the revised schedule for presentation of documents and the amended scope, in light of the current economic conditions and present Service Review process, for Financial year 2011-2012.

(Reference:  Report by the Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure Services dated 8^th July 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Best Value Officer on the Area Scorecard and the Key Performance Indicators.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.         Agreed to have more critical scrutiny of targets.

ii.       Agreed to have better quarterly measures on Roads Maintenance.

iii.      Agreed the trend for Car Parking Income be put on the agenda for the Area Business Meeting.

Members heard from Inspector Anderson on the abandoned trailers at Port Bannatyne.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.               Agreed to seek clarification from Legal Services on the enforcement of the legislation.

ii.             Agreed to put a Notice on the trailers concerned.

iii.            Agreed to start the process of a Traffic Order to prevent this happening in the future.

The Committee were asked for clarification on the Headstone paper by Aileen McNicol, Dunoon Observer; she received advice from the Area Streetscene Manager.

Councillor Marshall expressed his concern over the number of fatalities on Argyll & Bute roads and he received informative advice on how Strathclyde Police are dealing with the issue from Inspector O’Neill.

Councillor Marshall asked about the roadside grass cutting schedule for this year and received advice from the Area Streetscene Manager.

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 Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the sale of a strip of ground at Tighnabruiach to the Kilfinan Community Forest Company.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.         Agreed to the recommendations contained in the report by the Executive Director of Customer Services.

ii.       Agreed to recommend to the Executive Committee to approve recommendation 2.2 in the report by the Executive Director of Customer Services.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 7^th July 2010 – submitted)

Councillor A MacAlister and Councillor J McQueen, having declared a non financial interest in this item, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion.

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the proposed lease assignation of 32 Union Street, Dunoon to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Association.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.         Agreed to the recommendations contained in the report by the Executive Director of Customer Services.

ii.       Agreed to recommend to the Executive Committee to approve the recommendation contained in the report by the Executive Director of Customer Services.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 7^th July 2010 – submitted)

Councillor B Marshall submitted his apologies and left the meeting at this stage, Councillor L Scoullar took on the role of Chair.

Members heard from the Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure Services and the Marine and Airports Manager on the responsibilities of the Harbour Board.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.            Agreed recommendation 2.1: Councillors Manintyre and Strong recorded their absolute dissent with recommendation 2.1 in terms of the detail / lack of sound evidence in terms of the manner in which the Risk Assessment process has been carried out.

ii.          The Committee unanimously agreed point 2.2 and 2.3 in the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 23^rd July 2010 – submitted)