Agenda and minutes

The Council received petitions from Ulva Primary School, Barcaldine Primary School and Glebnbarr Primary School with regard to the amalgamation of their schools with other Schools.

The Council heard a presentation by Lorna Elliot and Sheila McLean of Argyll and the Islands LEADER with regard to their programme for 2007-13 and highlighted Argyll and Bute Council projects funded to date.

 

The Council heard a presentation by Becs Barker of Neighbourhood Networks with regard to continuing to invest in the communities in Argyll and Bute.

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Council approved the Minutes of the Council Meeting of 7 October 2010 as a correct record.

 

The Council approved the Minutes of the Council Meeting of 2 November 2010 as a correct record.

Appendices 2 and 3 of the Report by Head of Strategic Finance

The external auditors, Grant Thornton UK LLP, had completed their audit of the Council’s accounts for the year to 31 March 2010. The Audited Accounts were submitted for consideration together with the Audit Certificate which the Council were asked to note contained no qualifications. The Head of Strategic Finance advised that the external audit report would be considered at the 6 December Council Meeting.

 

Decision

 

The Council noted the Audited Accounts and the terms of the Audit Certificate.

 

(Ref: Report by the Head of Strategic Finance dated 11 November 2010, 2009/2010 Annual Accounts and Audit Certificate, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

The Council considered the External Auditor’s Best Value Follow up Review which was positive about the Councils progress and noted the challenges facing the Council. Two action points were highlighted in the report. The Chief Executive thanked the staff and elected members for all their hard work in achieving this progress.

 

Decision

 

The Council:-

 

1. Noted the outcome of the Best Value Follow up Review in particular the positive comments on progress made by the Council.

 

2. Noted that the action plan points were being addressed and will be monitored by the Audit Committee.

 

(Ref: Report by Chief Executive and Best Value and Community Planning Follow up Review dated November 2010, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 provides that a licensing authority shall before each successive three year period, prepare a statement of the principles they propose to apply with respect to the exercise of their functions under the Act during that period and publish a statement. The Council considered the revised Statement of Gambling Policy 2007-2010 as submitted.

 

Decision

 

The Council approved the amendments to the policy as highlighted and agreed that Notice be given of this intention on the Councils website and the public notice board at the Councils headquarters and the notice boards at each of the area offices and agreed that the revised Statement of Gambling Policy will come into effect on 30 December 2010.

 

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services and Gambling Policy dated November 2010, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The approved programme of meetings for the Council, Committees and Policy and Performance Groups runs until the end of April 2011. A programme of meetings for January 2011 to April 2012 was submitted for consideration.

 

Decision

 

Approved the programme of meetings as submitted by the Executive Director of Customer Services.

 

(Ref: Programme of meetings by the Executive Director of Customer Services, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

The Executive Committee, at its meeting on 4 November 2010 approved the Redundancy Policy subject to minor amendments. The Council considered the revised Redundancy Policy and Selection Criteria as submitted.

 

Decision

 

Approved the Redundancy Policy as per the Minute extract of the Executive Committee on 4 November 2010 as submitted as Appendix 1 to the report.

 

Noted for information, the amendment made to the Selection Criteria as submitted as Appendix 2 to the report.

 

(Ref: Report by Chief Executive, Redundancy Policy and Procedures and Selection Criteria dated November 2010, submitted)

The Council adjourned the meeting at 11.10am and reconvened at 12.00 noon.

The Council considered the report by the Executive Director of Community Services together with the submitted Appendices with regard to the Education Review of the School Estate.

 

Motion

 

1. That the Council notes the contents of the reports, and the proposals at Annexes 1-6 thereof; and

 

2. That the Council agrees the recommendations numbered 1-4 contained within the report at Annex 2, thereof, Review of the School Estate – Amalgamation Proposals. Specifically, under recommendation number 3, that Council agrees to proceed to statutory consultation in respect of:

 

1.      Keills with Port Charlotte

2.      Ulva with Dervaig

3.      Lochdonhead with Salen

4.      North Bute with Rothesay

5.      Toward with Innellan

6.      Kilmodan with Strachur/Tighnabruaich

7.      Luss with Hermitage Primary

8.      Rosneath and Kilcreggan with Garelochead

9.      Parklands with Hermitage Academy/John Logie Baird

10.  Southend with Drumlemble

11.  Strone with Sandbank

12.  St Kieran’s with Castlehill

13.  Ardchattan, Achaleven and Barcaldine with Lochnell

14.  Kilchrenan with Taynuilt

15.  Ardchonnel with Dalmally/Kilmartin

16.  Skipness, Rhunahaorine and Glenbarr with Clachan

17.  Ashfield with Tayvallich

18.  Achahoish with Ardrishaig

19.  Glassary and Minard with Lochgilphead

 

3. That the Council agrees the recommendation by the Executive Director of

      Community Services to withdraw the proposal to amalgamate Luing Primary

      School with Easdale Primary School.

 

Moved by Councillor Walsh, seconded by Councillor Marshall

 

Amendment

 

The Council instructs the Council Officers to withdraw the complete list of schools listed for possible amalgamation and return to the Council early in the new year with a reduced list of schools drawn up along the following parameters:-

 

1. That the numbers on the school roll indicate that the demand from the community for places is reducing to such an extent that the school is no long sustainable.

 

2. That the maximum journey time for any primary school pupil from pick up by school transport will be 30 minutes.

 

Moved by Councillor Robert Macintyre, seconded by Councillor Donald Kelly.

 

The requisite number of members required the vote to be taken by calling the roll, and members voted as follows:-

 

Motion	Amendment
Councillor Colville	Councillor Chalmers
Councillor Currie	Councillor Devon
Councillor Dance	Councillor Freeman
Councillor Hay	Councillor Horn
Councillor Daniel Kelly	Councillor Donald Kelly
Councillor Kinniburgh	Councillor MacAlister
Councillor Duncan MacIntyre	Councillor McAlpine
Councillor Mackay	Councillor McCuish
Councillor MacMillan	Councillor Macdonald
Councillor McQueen	Councillor McIntosh
Councillor Marshall	Councillor Robert Macintyre
Councillor Morton	Councillor McNaughton
Councillor Mulvaney	Councillor Philand
Councillor Nisbet	Councillor Robb
Councillor Petrie	Councillor Semple
Councillor Reay	Councillor Simon
Councillor Robertson	Councillor Strong
Councillor Scoullar
Councillor Walsh

 

Decision

 

The Motion was carried by 19 votes to 17 and the Council resolved accordingly.

 

(Ref: Reports and consultation proposals by Executive Director of Community Services dated November 2010, submitted)