Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to take the agenda items out of sequence in order to facilitate the attendance of Iain MacDonald, BEAR representative, who was due to arrive in Campbeltown by 12pm. This item was therefore taken after the item on Third Sector Grants, and is detailed at item 9 of this minute.

Councillor Robin Currie,  Councillor Douglas Philand and Councillor Sandy Taylor declared non financial interests in relation to Item 9,  Third Sector Grant applications listed below:-

Councillor Currie: 3.5 (Iomairt Chille Chomain)

Councillor Philand: 3.14 (Mid Argyll Youth Forum) and 3.23 (The Dochas Centre)

Councillor Taylor: 3.15 (Moving On Mid-Argyll)

Minute of Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 5 February 2014.

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 5 February 2014 was approved as a true record subject.

Matters Arising

Councillor Kelly enquired on the status of representation by Scottish Water at a future MAKI Business Day meeting, following on from their non-attendance at the March Business Day meeting.

Shirley MacLeod advised of a forthcoming meeting with Joanna Peebles, Scottish Water to discuss the programme of MAKI meeting and find a resolution to enable Joanna Peebles attendance at future meetings.

Councillor Semple asked if BEAR had confirmed their attendance at the meeting.  Jim Smith confirmed that Iain MacDonald, BEAR would be attending the Area Committee meeting.

The Minute of the special MAKI Area Committee held on 5 March 2014 was approved as a true record.

Shirley MacLeod advised that the progress report on the Council’s contractual partner Breedon Aggregates would be deferred to the June AC meeting, as representatives from the Roads Department were scheduled to meet with them on 4 April.

Councillor Kelly requested that that the Area Committee give their support to a proposal for a dialysis unit in the Campbeltown area.  He highlighted the onerous journey that patients undertaking this treatment had to endure travelling between Campbeltown and Glasgow hospitals.  He asked if a letter of support for this initiative could be written to the Chief Executive, NHS Highland and to the Health Minister . 

Discussion continued and Members gave consideration to a possible review of facilities across the whole MAKI area, compilation of relevant statistics and a more holistic approach to this issue.

Members further discussed concerns in regards all maternity care, including routine scanning of pregnant women, all being undertaken in Paisley, with the resultant travel difficulties that this causes

Decision

Members agreed:

That the Area Governance Manager would liaise with Councillor McAlpine to determine the best way to take forward these  issues, and that letters would be sent to the Chief Executive, NHS Highland, and to the Health Minister, from the Area Committee, highlighting these concerns

Report by IOD Programme Manager.

The Committee gave consideration to a report which presented the Area Scorecard, with exceptional performance for the Financial Quarter 3 of 2013-14 (October to December 2013).

Discussion followed and Members gave consideration to the need for a more descriptive narrative in regards ‘red lights’ detailed within the Scorecards, as this would give Members a better comprehension of the background to these issues.   Members also discussed the need for CPP partners, including ACHA, to be able to update the Pyramid system.   

Decision

Members agreed:

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That a live system would be available at all future meetings when the Scorecard is due for consideration  to allow Members to have a more definitive discussion.

3.                  That more substantive background narrative would be included in the Success Measures comments and detailed explanations of all “ red” indicators would be included in all future reports..     

(Reference: Report by Improvement and Organisational Development Programme Manager, dated 2 April 2014, submitted).

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which updated Members on the findings of the 3rd quarterly evaluation of the Care at Home provision within the Mid Argyll Kintyre & Islay Area. This followed the tendering exercise undertaken by Argyll & Bute Council when the decision was taken by members not to externalise homecare services within this area.

Decision

Members agreed:

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That data collected during reviews of care needs with service users, families and providers should be utilised to highlight the high standards achieved within the Care at Home Service provision and included in future reports, and in Pyramid.

3.                  That the next report would incorporate this data both for the MAKI Area Committee and corporately the Argyll and Bute area. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director Community Services, dated 2 April 2014, submitted).

Report by the Economic Development Manager

The Committee gave consideration to a report by the Economic Development Manager which detailed the draft Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) for the period 2014-2018.

Discussion followed in regards a more innovative way to engage with local Business partners in endeavouring to create more employment opportunities locally, although concerns were raised in how this would be delivered with the limited resources available. 

Decision

Members agreed:

1.                  That under the EDAP section “ A compelling  MAKI” a first action is added to establish a MAKI “Think Tank” to consider how significant employment opportunities of international importance can be brought to the MAKI area by engaging the entrepreneurial strengths and commitments of local business people.

2.                  To approve the area EDAP as a working document for the financial year2014/15 and for the next three financial years up to 2017/18.

3.                  That the Economic Development Manager would bring additional indicators to the September Business Day for Members consideration.

(Reference: Report by the Economic Development Manager, dated

Report by the Executive Director, Community Services.

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants (including Events and Festivals) to Third Sector organisations for Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands.

Discussion followed in regards the previous year’s Third Sector funding application to the Loch Awe Improvements.  The Chair advised Members that the group had not achieved charity status and as a result of this the underspend had been allocated between Campbeltown and Lochgilphead Community Centres.  He affirmed that officers had undertaken this action following advice from the Head of Governance and Law.

Members questioned the rationale of determining the recommendations, and the  Community Development Officer outlined the procedure utilised by Officers. Further questions were raised in regards the AliEnergy funding and the Chair reported that Community Benefit funding was being reviewed by the Economic Development team.

Decision

Members agreed to the following recommendations:

            2.1       The 25 organisations listed below are awarded funding from the Third Sector Grants budget.

            2.2       Those organisations that have received funding for two years or more should not be awarded more than the amount they received in 2012/13 unless increased developmental aspects are detailed in the application. 

            2.3       Where possible, and if appropriate, new applicants should receive all or most of the amount requested (up to 50% total project costs), unless a very large amount of funding is sought.

            2.4       Grants will only be awarded pending receipt of the correct paperwork; an approved financial check; and an End of Project monitoring form (if a grant was awarded in previous year).

Councillor Kelly, having moved an amendment which failed to find a seconder, required his dissent from the foregoing decision to be recorded.

(Reference: Report by Community Development Manager, dated 2 April 2014, submitted).

An update from the Head of Roads and Amenity Services and representatives from Transport Scotland and BEAR.

The Committee heard an update from the Head of Roads and representatives from Transport Scotland and BEAR.

This detail included the following:-

The re-numbering of the new road in Campbeltown was being implemented; Roads Department were liaising with Transport Scotland on this issue.

The trunking of the A83 was in progress, but until official confirmation by Transport Scotland remedial and maintenance works would be undertaken by Argyll and Bute Council.

Revenue budget was in place for the duration of 2014 and any reductions to GAE  would not be forthcoming until 2015.

Discussion continued in regards the loss of funding which Argyll and Bute Council would receive when the A83 was trunked and the possibility of apportioning this reduction across the whole of the Argyll and Bute Roads budget.  The Head of Roads highlighted that the exact amount was not, as yet, confirmed and any policy would be developed by the new Development and Infrastructure Committee.

The issue of excessive speeding in Tayinloan and Whitehouse was raised; as was the recent surfacing work at both the Stag car park and wee Manse Brae.  The Head of Roads acknowledged that he would review the speeding issue and provide the rationale for the surfacing work to local Members.  He reported that Jacobs had been requested to extend the survey brief they had been originally commissioned to undertake.

The Chair then welcomed Iain McDonald, BEAR representative to the meeting.

Mr McDonald updated Members on various issues relating to the A83 and the overall deteriorating standard of the road and the forthcoming trunking of the A83 between Kennacraig and Campbeltown.  He confirmed that BEAR were contracted to undertake work on behalf of Transport Scotland and reported that they would be attending future Area Committee meetings.

Discussion continued in regards the following - if Transport Scotland had scheduled a Capital Programme of works, the status of pedestrian crossings at either Tarbert or Ardrishaig, pinch points at Erines, signage to alert drivers to cyclists on the A83,  and the need for scrub cutting where there were visibility issues.  Mr McDonald verified that he would relay the issues outlined by Members to Transport Scotland.

Members queried if there was a Communication Protocol in place to ensure effective links between Transport Scotland, BEAR and Argyll and Bute Council.  The Head of Roads affirmed that a new Communication protocol was being implemented.  He outlined the quarterly meetings which were currently scheduled between BEAR and Argyll and Bute Roads Department team and affirmed that the Minute of these meetings would be disseminated at future Area Committee meetings.  In regards routine road issues, he stated that these would continue to be reported through the Members Portal, although emergencies would be dealt with by the Network Operation team.

The Chair highlighted the damage caused by the heavy haulage vehicles utilised by the Energy provider at Crossaig.  The Head of Roads confirmed that he would provide Members with the agreements in place with the Energy provider on this issue.  He also agreed to attend the forthcoming East Kintyre Community Council meeting to address issues raised by the local community.

Decision

Members agreed:

1.                  To note the update.

2.                  That the Head of Roads would email Members the rationale for the recent surfacing works undertaken at local car parks.

3.                  That Iain McDonald, BEAR would provide a work programme for the A83 and forward to local Members. 

4.                  That the Head of Roads would provide the detail of agreements in place at Crossaig with the Energy provider and attend the forthcoming East Kintyre Community Council meeting to address issues raised by the local community and that an update report on this matter will be brought to the scheduled May Business day.

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which detailed the final patterns of school holidays and in-service days for all schools in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay as outlined in Appendices 1 to 4

Decision

Members agreed:

1.                  To  endorse the final patterns of school holidays and in-service days for all schools in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay as outlined in Appendices 1 to 4.

2.                  To circulate the details of schools holidays and in-service days for 2015/2016  to schools and all relevant organisations.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director Community Services, dated 2 April 2014, submitted)

Report by Executive Director, Community Services.

The Committee gave consideration to a report which identified that the 2014 Annual Islay Show is being held on  the date pupils are due to return to school on Islay and Jura. 

Decision

Members agreed to endorse the new pattern of school holidays and in-service days for all schools on Islay and Jura as outlined in Appendix 2.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director Community Services, dated 2 April 2014, submitted).

The Committee gave consideration to the Item Tracker.

Decision

Members agreed to the following changes:

Area Scorecard        -           Further review and discussion at September BD,

ensuring live system to enable fuller discussion for Members.

Additions:

Performance Level Report – Planning Applications         -           Peter Bain (May BD/June AC)

Property Maintenance Group                                              -           James Lafferty (JuneAC)

(Reference: Item Tracker, dated 2 April 2014, 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 item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Executive Director, Customer Services.

The Committee gave consideration to a report which updated Members in regards the status of the former Ardrishaig Swimming Pool site.

Motion

That Members should agree to the recommendation at 2.b of the report

Moved by Councillor Colville,  seconded by Councillor MacMillan

Amendment

That the Estates Surveyor would be requested to provide an up-to-date valuation of the land and this item would be continued for further conisderation to the Special MAKI Area Committee meeting scheduled for 7 May 2014.

Moved by Councillor Philand, seconded by Councillor Taylor

Decision

The Amendment was carried by 6 votes to 2 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 2  April 2014, submitted).