Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor A McNaughton

Councillor J R Walsh

Councillor R Macintyre declared a non financial interest in item 5(c) on the basis that the report concerned his request and took no part in the discussion of that item.

Councillor J McQueen declared a non financial interest in item 8(b) on the basis that he is a member of the club and took no part in the discussion of that item.

The Minutes of the Meeting of 5^th April 2011 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting of 17^th May 2011 were approved as a correct record.

The Committee heard from the Performance Management Officer on the Area Scorecards which enable scrutiny of the Area Plans and of Service Performance at area levels.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.                     Approved the overall format of the scorecard.

ii.                   Noted the Key Performance Indicators in the scorecard would be an ongoing activity as use of the scorecard develops.

iii.                  Agreed that officers named in the Area Plan provide regular updates via the Pyramid system, including the creation of the new Performance Indicators if necessary.

iv.                 Agreed the Area Committee uses the scorecard to review progress and performance with the area at every second meeting.

(Reference:  Report by the Performance Management Officer – submitted)

The Committee heard a verbal update from the Area Governance Manager on the Gourock/Dunoon Ferry Services.  She advised that Argyll Ferries had won the tender process and will be providing a passenger only service to start on 1^st July 2011.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided.

Members heard from the Area Governance Manager regarding a commemorative plaque sited within the Castle Gardens, Dunoon.

Decision

The Committee agreed that the plaque should be removed.

(Reference: Report by the Area Governance Manager dated 31^st May 2011 – submitted)

Councillor R Macintyre, having declared a non financial interest in this item, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion.

Members heard from the Area Governance Manager regarding the request from Councillor Robert Macintyre to be appointed a core Member of the Rothesay CHORD Project Board.

Decision

The Committee agreed to appoint Councillor Robert Macintyre as a core Member of the Rothesay CHORD Project Board.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 17^th May 2011 – submitted)

Mrs Anne Gabriel asked the Committee if there was funding in place for the gang plank, new waiting facilities and facilities for staff at the new breakwater for the new ferry service and Councillor Marshall advised there was.  Mrs Gabriel also asked if Members were aware that Caledonian MacBrayne will no longer be carrying freight and asked if there had been discussions with Western Ferries, Councillor Marshall advised he did not know this information and said he would look into it.

Mr Moonan asked why the carrying of freight had not been fed into the discussions regarding the ferry service and Councillor Marshall advised that the Council have consistently asked for a vehicle service and if this had been granted the freight would probably have still been carried.

Mr Moonan asked Mike Johnston why there should be a scorecard if it did not demonstrate the progress and advised that the scorecard was very well developed at Council level and it was a working progress to get the area level updated.

Mr Baker, Kilmun Community Council asked what was going to happen to the old pier and Councillor Marshall explained that there had been a workshop regarding the pier recently and there will be a public consultation in the future to discuss the pier.

Cath McLoone spoke on the interim changes to Struan Lodge Day Care advising that the Support Services and Dementia day care have been amalgamated.  Cath also spoke on outreach and explained the charging policy.  Mr Moonan asked questions on the dementia staff and if staff were suitably qualified and Cath gave him advice.  Councillor Simon asked about wavering of charges and Cath explained that the Area Manager could waver fees but it would depend on each person’s circumstances and they would also point them in the direction of other agencies to see if they could get help.  Cath explained that she would bring a report to the August Area Committee.

Chief Inspector Mosley advised that Bute & Cowal section of Strathclyde Police had been the highest performing last year.  He spoke on concerns over the traffic management for Cowal Highland Games with the new passenger only service and explained he had a multi-agency meeting to discuss this issue.  There is an initiative at Dunoon Grammar School at the moment that will produce a video on drugs and alcohol.  The mobile police office has been approved and he advised that this is a community resource and if it is needed anywhere to contact him.  Chief Inspector Mosley advised Members if they had any traffic management issues to contact him.  The Anti Social Behaviour Sub Groups in Rothesay and Dunoon are both working well.  Councillor Simon said that Hunter’s Quay Community Council wished to advise that the problems at Madeira Place have improved since the mobile CCTV camera was installed. 

The Area Governance Manager gave an update on the Milton Burn Flood Prevention Scheme.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided.

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

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the request received from the Dunoon and Cowal Heritage Trust to extend their current lease.

Decision

The Committee agreed to the recommendations contained in the report by the Executive Director of Customer Services, and agreed that if the break option presents an issue to the Trust this will be reported back to the Area Committee.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 17^th May 2011 – submitted)

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 request received from the Dunoon Boxing Club to lease an area of ground at Pilot Street, Dunoon.

Decision

The Committee agreed to the recommendations contained in the report by the Executive Director of Customer Services.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 23^rd May 2011 – submitted)

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the various interests in respect of the pavilion building and tennis courts at the Meadows, Rothesay.

Decision

The Committee noted the information contained in the report by the Executive Director of Customer Services.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 31^st May 2011 – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Governance Manager on the lease of site at Dunoon Stadium.

Decision

The Committee agreed to the recommendations contained in the report by the Head of Governance and Law.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Governance and Law dated 6^th June 2011 – tabled)

E1 - Paragraph 9  Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.