The Council at its meeting on 6 December 2010 agreed that a
further report would be submitted to the next Council Meeting on appointments
to Outside Bodies in light of the dissolution of the Coalition. The Council considered
what action was necessary in regard to appointments to the various Outside
Bodies to which the Council makes such nominations.
(1)
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To amend the terms of reference of the E.J.C.C. to refer
to the Leader and to include 8 Spokespersons rather than 7, and one other
Councillor and to appoint Councillor Mulvaney as that Councillor.
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(2)
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To appoint the following Members to the Future Use of Older
People’s Services Committee and Project Board namely:-
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Dick Walsh as Leader
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Ellen Morton as Depute Leader
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Andrew Nisbet as Spokesperson
for Social Affairs
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Rory Colville as Spokesperson for Third Sector and Communities
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Robin Currie as Spokesperson for Rural and Island Affairs,
Housing and Gaelic
Len Scoullar as Spokesperson for
European Issues
Councillor Gary Mulvaney
Councillor Elaine Robertson
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Two members to be agreed by the Opposition groups and
failing agreement to be referred to the Executive to determine the
appointments.
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(3)
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To appoint the following Members to the Board of the Local
Negotiating Committee Teachers.
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Ellen Morton
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Vivien Dance
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Andrew Nisbet
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(4)
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To appoint a Member of the Opposition to fill the vacancy
on the P.P.S.L. Committee and Regulatory Cohort.
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(5)
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To appoint a Member of the Opposition to fill the vacancy
on the Audit Committee. We understand
this is Councillor Freeman.
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(6)
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To note and confirm the current appointments to those Outside
Bodies delegated to Area Committees. And that Area Chairs advise a future
meeting of the Council, following a review, on those bodies that no longer
function or require representation.
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(7)
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In regard to the appointments to Policy and Performance
Groups (and Thematic Groups). To hold
this in abeyance until the outcome of our discussions on constitution and
Governance.
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(8)
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To appoint Mary-Jean Devon as Vice Chair of the OLI Area
Committee.
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(9)
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In regard to the appointments to Statutory Boards and
Joint Committees to make the following appointments to the Board and where
these are not of continuing effect to
have immediate effect in replacement for the previous nominees namely:-
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(a)
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Scotland Excel
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1 representative
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Councillor Neil Mackay
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(b)
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Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Board
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2 representatives
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Al Reay
Daniel Kelly
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2 substitutes
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Opposition Councillor
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Opposition Councillor
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(c)
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Criminal Justice Partnership
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2 representatives
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Councillor A Nisbet
Councillor E Robertson
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2 substitutes
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Opposition Councillor
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Opposition Councillor
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(d)
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Dunbartonshire & Argyll & Bute
Valuation Joint Board
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5 representatives
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Councillor D MacMillan
Councillor Vivien Dance
Councillor A Nisbet
Opposition Councillor
Opposition Councillor
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5 substitutes
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Councillor A Hay
Councillor G Mulvaney
Opposition Councillor
Opposition Councillor
Opposition Councillor
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(e)
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HITRANS
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1 representative
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Councillor D MacIntyre
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1 substitute
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Councillor Al Reay
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(f)
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Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme Joint Committee
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1 representative
1 substitute
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Councillor D MacIntyre
Councillor Al Reay
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(g)
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Strathclyde Police Authority
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2 representatives
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Councillor D MacMillan
Councillor J McQueen
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2 substitutes
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Councillor Al Reay
Opposition Councillor
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(h)
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Strathclyde Partnership For Transport and SPTA
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1 representative
1 substitute
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Councillor D MacIntyre
Councillor Al Reay
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(i)
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North Strathclyde
Community Justice Authority
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1 representative
1 substitute
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Councillor A Nisbet
Councillor E Robertson
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(j)
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West of Scotland
European Forum
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1 representative
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Councillor L Scoullar
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1 substitute
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Opposition Councillor
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(10)
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That in respect of the appointments to Outside Bodies to
make the following appointments to the said Bodies and where these do not
have continuing effect to have immediate effect in replacement for the
previous nominees namely:-
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Group
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Representatives
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Appointments
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Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership
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2 representatives
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Councillor A Nisbet
Councillor V Dance
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Argyll & Bute Health & Care Partnership
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3 representatives
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Councillor B Marshall
Councillor A Nisbet
Councillor E Robertson
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NHS Highland Board
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1 representative
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Councillor E Robertson
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Argyll
College Board
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2 representatives
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Councillor Ellen Morton
Councillor Vivien Dance
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University of Highlands & Islands Board
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1 representative
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Councillor E Morton
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HIE, Argyll and the Islands
Board
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1 representative
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Councillor Neil Mackay
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Local Economic Forum – Argyll and the Islands
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1 representative
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Councillor Neil Mackay
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Stramash
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2 representatives
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Councillor R McCuish
Councillor E Morton
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Argyll & Bute Local Biodiversity Partnership
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1 representative
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Councillor B Marshall
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Argyll, Lomond & The Isles Energy Agency Management
Board
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2 representatives
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Councillor A Nisbet
Opposition Councillor
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Argyll, Loch
Lomond & Forth Valley
Tourism Development Partnership
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1 representative
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Councillor W Petrie
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Argyll & Bute Agricultural Forum
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2 representative
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Councillor R Colville
Councillor R Macintyre
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Highlands & Islands Convention Aquaculture Forum
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1 representative
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Councillor B Marshall
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KIMO
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1 representative
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Councillor L Scoullar
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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Board
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1 representatives
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Councillor W Petrie
Councillor R Simon
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Scottish Liaison Group on Radioactive Waste Management
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1 representative
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Opposition Councillor
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West of Scotland
Archaeology Service Joint Committee
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1 representative
1 substitute
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Councillor W Petrie
Councillor R Colville
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Argyll Marine SAC Forum
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2 representatives
(one of whom shall Chair the Forum)
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Councillor R Currie
(Chair)
Councillor B Marshall
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Argyll & Bute Care & Repair Agency
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2 representatives
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Councillor R Currie
Councillor N Mackay
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COSLA All of Scotland Group 2014
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1 representative
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Councillor N Mackay
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Highlands & Islands Film Commission
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1 representative
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Councillor N Mackay
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1 substitute
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Councillor A McNaughton
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Inter Authority Standing Group on Gaelic
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1 representative
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Councillor R Currie
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Museum Galleries
Scotland
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1 representative
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Opposition Councillor
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Argyll Community Housing Association
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5 representatives
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R Colville MAKI
Councillor A Reay
H & L
Councillor N Mackay
OLI
Opposition Councillor
Opposition Councillor
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Convention of Highlands & Islands
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1 representative
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Councillor D Walsh
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Programme Monitoring Committee
Highlands & Islands
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1 representative
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Councillor D Walsh
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Scottish
Islands Federation
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2 representatives
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Councillor L Scoullar
Councillor R Currie
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C.P.M.R
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1 representative
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Councillor L Scoullar
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Strathclyde Pension Fund Representative Forum
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1 representative
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Councillor R Currie
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1 substitute
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Councillor D MacIntyre
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Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE)
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1 representative
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Councillor Al Reay
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Apse Roads & Lighting Group
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1 representative
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Councillor Al Reay
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Clyde Ferry User Group
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2 representatives
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Councillor B Marshall
Councillor L Scoullar
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Argyll Ferry User Group
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1 representative
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Councillor R Currie
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Kintyre & The Islands Ferry User Group
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1 representative
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No appointment
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Raasay ,Skye Small Islands Ardnamurchan & Mull Ferry Users Group
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1 representative
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Councillor MJ ... view the full minutes text for item 5a
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5b |
Composition of Council
Minutes:
A report by the Executive Director of Customer Services
provided information about the formation of a new political group named the
Argyll and Bute Independent Councillors comprising Councillors Freeman and
Chalmers.
Decision
The Council noted the terms of the report.
(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services
dated 10 January 2011, submitted)
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6. |
UPDATE ON COUNCIL CONSTITUTION - ANTI FRAUD STRATEGY
Report by Executive Director of Customer Services
Minutes:
The Council, at its meeting on 1 October 2010 approved the
Financial and Security Regulations and noted that the Appendices would be
revised at a later date. The Council considered the Anti Fraud Strategy which
forms Part D of the Council Constitution, the Financial and Security
Regulations.
Decision
The Council approved the Anti Fraud Strategy as attached as
the Appendix to the Financial and Security Regulations.
(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services
dated 2 November 2010, submitted)
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7. |
QUESTION TO THE LEADER UNDER STANDING ORDER 15
Minutes:
The following question had been submitted under Standing
Order 15 for answer by the Leader of the Council:-
By Councillor Philand
“The Leader of the Council has been on record to say that he
is working towards an inclusive Council.
Can he explain why the papers for the EDUCATION REVIEW -
REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL ESTATE was given to the following at different times.
Members of the Coalition 4 October 2010
Leaders of the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives Tuesday
19 October 2010
Leader of Argyll First 22 October 2010
Whilst missing out the non aligned Councillors altogether.”
Answer
The Leader of the Council provided a verbal response to the
question and a supplementary question setting out his position on the matter.
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8. |
QUESTION TO THE LEADER UNDER STANDING ORDER 15
Minutes:
The following question had been submitted under Standing
Order 15 for answer by the Leader of the Council:-
By Councillor Macdonald
- “What
is the current Annual cost to Argyll & Bute Council of Membership of
COSLA?
- What
quantifiable benefits accrue to Argyll & Bute Council from Membership
of COSLA?”
Answer
The Leader of the Council provided a verbal response to the
question and a supplementary question providing details requested and indicating
that senior representatives of COSLA would be invited to a future Council Meeting
to provide further information.
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9. |
QUESTION TO THE LEADER UNDER STANDING ORDER 15
Minutes:
The following question had been submitted under Standing
Order 15 for answer by the Leader of the Council:-
By Councillor Robb
“This question comprises five component parts with regard to
the Council budget and ongoing budget process:
1.
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What
Council decision delegated to the Council Leader the authority to write to
the Finance Secretary accepting the Scottish Government’s proposals to shield
local authorities from the worst of the Conservative/Liberal Democrats savage
cuts to the Scottish block grant and to protect household incomes with a
council tax freeze?
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2.
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Other
Council’s, such as neighbouring West Dunbartonshire, have published draft
budgets for consultation. What progress has been made on Argyll & Bute’s budget
for 2011-12 and when will a draft balanced budget be publish for member’s
information and public consultation?
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3.
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It
was widely known that Argyll & Bute Council had received more than its
share of former ring fenced grants, now known as Supporting People funding,
than the COSLA agreed formula. Why was the Leader not alert to the possible
implications when the issue of ring fenced grants was discussed at COSLA?
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4.
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What
explanation does the Council Leader offer on behalf of himself, Councillor
Hay and the Chief Executive for agreeing to a £5.588m reduction in Supporting
People funding through COSLA (the Hay-Walsh cut) to Argyll & Bute for
2011-12?
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5.
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Within
the draft budget will the Council Leader ensure that any service cuts or
redundancies due to the Hay-Walsh cut are clearly identified as additional?”
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Answer
The Leader of the Council provided a very detailed verbal response
to the question and a supplementary question setting out his position on the matter.
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10. |
QUESTION TO THE EDUCATION SPOKESPERSON UNDER STANDING ORDER 15
Minutes:
The following question had been submitted under Standing
Order 15 for answer by the Education Spokesperson:-
By Councillor Robb
“This question comprises five component parts with regard to
the school closure programme and the review of the primary school estate:
1.
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What
apology does the Education Spokesperson offer to those parents she attacked
for pointing out the obvious flaws in the school closure proposals which were
subsequently rejected as unsafe by the Education Spokesperson and the Council
on the 5th January 2011?
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2.
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The Chief Executive had
received assurances from the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government
on the 23rd December 2010 with regard to the impartial and fair
treatment of any education review or school closure proposals from Argyll
& Bute Council. What explanation does the Education Spokesperson offer
for embarrassing the Chief Executive and the Council by requesting the Chief
Executive write again on this same matter?
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3.
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The additional funding
reduction of £5.588m for Argyll & Bute was agreed by Councillor Walsh,
Councillor Hay and the Chief Executive at the COSLA meeting on the 19th
November 2010. What additional education cuts and potential school closures
will result from this?
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4.
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Despite comments from her
deputy, Councillor Dance and others it is clear Parklands Special School is
indeed a special case. What measures and timetable has the Education
Spokesperson put in place to ensure a viable model to retain Parklands is put
in place as soon as possible?
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5.
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What aspects of the
previous consultation proposals have now been confirmed as incorrect and what
action has been taken to ensure that any recommendations to close schools by
officers or such proposals from the Education Spokesperson are accurate and
in compliance with the legislation this time?”
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Answer
The Education Spokesperson provided a detailed verbal response
to the question and a supplementary question setting out her position on the matter.
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11. |
QUESTION TO LEADER UNDER STANDING ORDER 15
Minutes:
The following question had been submitted under Standing
Order 15 for answer by the Leader of the Council:-
By Councillor Semple
- “The
Primary Schools amalgamation consultation documents, which were adopted by
the Council by a narrow margin on the 15 November 2010 were subsequently
shelved on 5 January 2011 at a special meeting of the Council organised by
members of the Opposition following the submission of a report by the
Scottish Rural Schools Network which challenged many aspects of the consultation
process and documentation.
a)
What steps does the Leader of the Council intend
to take to investigate how the consultation documents came to have so many
factual errors?
b)
What steps will he take to ensure that the new
process meets the chronology identified in the Schools (Consultation)
(Scotland) Act?
c)
What assurance can he give the Council that
further iterations of these documents will stand up to public scrutiny?
d)
Will he also give assurance that councillors
will be given sufficient opportunity to interrogate these new documents fully?”
Answer
The Leader of the Council provided a verbal response to the
question.
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12. |
QUESTION TO THE EDUCATION SPOKESPERSON UNDER STANDING ORDER 15
Minutes:
The following question had been submitted under Standing
Order 15 for answer by the Education Spokesperson:-
By Councillor Semple
- “A
special meeting of the Council was arranged by members of the opposition
on 5 January 2011 for which the Scottish Rural Schools Network prepared a
report. The outcome was that the proposals for the closure of 25 primary
schools was suspended. The Chief Executive gave an assurance at the
meeting that ongoing, cooperative dialogue would take place between the
Council and the Scottish Rural Schools Network.
a)
Can the Spokesperson for Education give details
on the progress of that dialogue?
b)
What progress has been made in addressing the
issues raised by SRSN on 5 January 2011?”
Answer
The Education Spokesperson provided a verbal response to the
question and a supplementary question setting out the position on the matter.
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13. |
QUESTION TO THE LEADER UNDER STANDING ORDER 15
Minutes:
The following question had been submitted under Standing
Order 15 for answer by the Leader of the Council:-
By Councillor Freeman
“Argyll and Bute Council is represented on the COSLA
Resources & Capacity Executive Group by Councillor Dick Walsh, Leader of
the Council. Given that the work of this COSLA Executive Group includes
important issues such as the Spending Review and other strategic finance
issues, it is considered that the work of this Group is of prime importance to
the finances of Argyll and Bute Council.
Given the importance of the work of this Executive Group to
Argyll and Bute Council, can the Leader respond to this question which
comprises five component parts as follows?
a)
Can the Leader of the Council confirm how many
meetings of the COSLA Resources & Capacity Executive Group were held in
2010?
b)
Can the Leader of the Council confirm how many
meetings of the COSLA Resources & Capacity Executive Group he attended in
2010?
c)
On the basis that there would be a real terms
reduction in funding of 12% across the next three years of the Spending Review,
an officer group called the Strategic Funding Review Group (SFRG) was
established to undertake some scenario planning around what this would mean for
local government. Although this work was to be overseen by the Leadership
Board, the role of the COSLA Resources & Capacity Executive Group was to
provide political advice and guidance to the Leadership Board on this issue.
Can the Leader of the Council confirm if the scenario planning by the SFRG
included any proposed changes to the distribution formula relating to the
former Supporting People funding, now referred to as Former Ring Fenced Grants?
d)
A report (Distribution 2011/12) was presented to
the COSLA Leaders meeting on 19 November 2010 which contained a number of
recommendations including “updating indicators of former ring-fenced
grants” and that the “remaining ring-fenced grants and specific
grants should be subject to the same level of reduction which reflects spend
across the total revenue grant”. Can the Leader of the Council confirm
if the COSLA Resources & Capacity Executive Group supported the
recommendations contained within the Distribution 2011/12 report considered at
the Leaders meeting on 19 November 2010?
e)
Can the Leader of the Council confirm that no
minutes from the meetings of the COSLA Resources & Capacity Executive Group
or any other COSLA Executive Group have been included on the agenda of any
COSLA Leaders meeting for over two years now?”
Answer
The Leader of the Council provided a verbal response to the
question and a supplementary question setting out his position on the matter.
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The Depute-Provost also sent the Councils best wishes for a
speedy recovery to Mrs McQueen who had taken ill recently.
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