Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of the following:-

Councillor J McQueen

Councillor R Simon

Councillor D Walsh

Alison Jardine, Architect

Roanna Taylor, Young Scot Co-ordinator

Liz Marion, Senior Community Learning and Development Worker

Mike Johnston, Best Value Officer

Area Commander, Andrew Mosley, Strathclyde Police

Inspector Hugh O’Neil, Strathclyde Police

The Chairman ruled and the Committee agreed, in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2 that a report regarding proposed public realm works at Ardbeg and Port Bannatyne by Scottish Water, dealt with at item 9c of this minute, be taken as a matter of urgency, due to the need for the work to commence in January 2011.

Councillor Marshall declared a non financial interest in item 9 (a) by reason of having formed an opinion on the matter and took no part in the discussion of that item.

The Minutes of the Area Committee of the 5^th October 2010 were approved as a correct record.

Due to apologies being submitted from the Officer this item was continued to the Area Committee in February 2011.

The Committee head a verbal update from the Area Manager, Customer Services on the Gourock/Dunoon Ferry Service.  She advised that the Head of Economic Development had contacted Scottish Government Officials who could not give him any additional information at this time, but had given reassurance that updates would be provided to the Council when available.

Decision

The Committee noted the details provided on this matter.

Members heard from the Area Manager, Customer Services on an application to the Silver Wedding Dowry Fund.

Decision

The Committee agreed to grant £400 from the Silver Wedding Dowry Fund to the applicants, to be presented to the couple on their wedding day by Councillor Robert Macintyre.

(Reference:  Report by the Area Manager, Customer Services dated 26^th November 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Manager, Customer Services on the applications to the Provost’s Fund.

Decision

The Committee agreed to grant £20 from the Provost’s Fund to both applicants.

(Reference:  Report by the Area Manager, Customer Services dated 26^th November 2010 – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Manager, Customer Services on the update on progress that is being achieved with respect to the development of the Outline Business Case for the Joint Primary Campus for Dunoon.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided.

(Reference:  Report by the Head of Facility Services dated 11^th November 2011 – submitted)

Members heard an informative presentation from Wendy Brownlie, Principal of Rothesay Joint Campus on the major achievements of the school in 2009/10 including the SQA examination results for pupils who sat examinations in May/June 2010.

Decision

The Committee noted the strong performance of pupils and the commitment of staff in their examination successes and in many other aspects of achievement across the school and expressed their thanks and congratulations to both staff and pupils of the campus.

(Reference: Report by the Principal, Rothesay Joint Campus – submitted)

The Committee heard from the Area Manager, Customer Services on the School Holidays and In Service Days for 2011/2012.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

i.                     To endorse the final patterns of school holidays and in-service days for all schools in Bute & Cowal as outlined in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

ii.                   Agreed that the details of school holidays and in-service days for 2011/2012 should now be circulated to schools and all relevant organisations.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Community Services dated October 2010 – submitted)

The Committee considered Third Sector Grants and agreed as follows:-

(Reference: Report by Community Development Manager – submitted)

Councillor Marshall asked John Duncan about how the proposed savings within the Service Review would affect his Department and John explained that the frontline staff have been protected and they have been looking at ways of making the proposed savings.  John spoke on the cost of residential care for children, and the Dunclutha site.

Councillor Marshall asked Inspector Anderson about the crime rate in Bute and the intentions of Strathclyde Police in making redundancy in civilian staff.  Inspector Anderson said that crime on the Island was very low and spoke on the public perception consultation which is due out soon, and proposed redundancies in staff. 

Councillor Scoullar asked about the future of the road policing unit and Inspector Anderson advised this was still under discussion.

Councillor MacAlister asked about confiscating cars from drink drivers and Inspector Anderson explained this was only on second offences.

Members heard from the Planning Officer, Development Policy on the Landscape Capacity Studies for all Rural Opportunity Areas located within National Scenic Areas and Areas of Panoramic Quality as defined by the Argyll and Bute Local Plan.  

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

i.                     To approve the Landscape Capacity Study for Bute and Cowal.

ii.                   To approve the relevant section of the Landscape Capacity Study for Mid Argyll and Inveraray.

(Reference: Report by the Development Policy Manager – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Manager, Customer Services on the status of the Milton Burn Flood Prevention Scheme.  She advised that the timetable was on track and the Principal Engineer was optimistic the tenders would be on cost.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by the Principal Engineer dated 10^th November 2010 – submitted)

Due to apologies being submitted from the Officer this item was continued to the Area Committee in February 2011.

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.

Councillor B Marshall, having declared a non financial interest in this item, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion, Councillor L Scoullar took over the Chair.

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the request from Forestry Commission Scotland for a servitude over ground adjacent to the A880.

Decision

The Committee:-  

i.                     Agreed to authorise the Executive Director of Customer Services to negotiate and conclude suitable terms and conditions in respect of the grant of a formal servitude in favour of Forestry Commission Scotland to allow road construction and the subsequent use of the access for forest traffic subject to the granting of planning permission by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

ii.                   Agreed to  suitable terms and conditions in respect of temporary working areas and granting of early entry consent as appropriate.

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

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the current position in respect of the tenancy of the former Steamer Enquiry Office.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.                     Noted the contents of the report by the Executive Director, Customer Services.

ii.                   Agreed an update report should come to a Special Area Committee to be convened in March 2011.

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

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the request that the rental income from the proposed contractor’s compound at Ardbeg Point is used for public realm works to be agreed upon by the local community.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.                     Agreed to authorise the Executive Director of Customer Services to facilitate this course of action.

ii.                   Agreed the public realm works agreed by the local community be brought back to the Area Committee for agreement.

(Reference:  Report by the Executive Director, Customer Services dated 7^th December 2010 – tabled)