Agenda and minutes

The Chair indicated that a non Member of the Committee, Councillor Gordon Blair, had notified her that he wished, in terms of Standing Order 22.1, to speak and vote in relation to all items on the Agenda. She exercised her discretion to allow him to participate in discussions but that he was not permitted to vote on these items in terms of Standing Order 22.1.

The Chair further intimated that Councillor Michael Breslin, who was not a member of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee had notified her that he wished in terms of Standing Order 22.1 to speak and vote on item 7 of the Agenda. The Chair explained that as the matter was not an issue affecting the Members Ward in particular, she again was prepared to exercise her discretion as Chair to allow him to participate in discussions but not to vote on this item.

She intimated that both Members had been advised of the position in writing prior to the start of the meeting.

The Chair also welcomed Councillor Iain Maclean to his first meeting of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Duncan Macintyre and Alex McNaughton.

There were no Declarations of Interest intimated.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee 13 November 2014

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 13 November 2014 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

Consideration was given to the proposed Service Plans for 2015-16 for Economic Development and Strategic Transport and Roads and Amenity Services.

Discussion took place on the importance of developing and promoting Tourism within the Argyll and Bute area; and also on the robust communications systems in place to inform the public of disruptions to travel or school closures.

Decision

The Committee agreed;

(i)            that under “Significant challenges”;

(a)    the word “Taskforce” be added to the end of the sentence beginning “To ensure that the economic and social interests of our island communities….”;

(b)    “within agreed timescales” be added to the end of the section on CHORD;

(c) that reference would be made to the inclusion of a robust

     Communication system; and

(ii)          to approve the proposed service plans for Economic Development and Strategic Transportation and Roads and Amenity Services for submission to the Policy and Resources Committee

(Reference: Report by Executive Director - Customer Services dated 15 January 2015, submitted)

Joint report by Executive Director – Customer Services and Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which provided the performance report and associated scorecards for Development and Infrastructure Services for FQ2 2014-15.

Discussion took place on recycling and bin collections, Sea Kayaking, out of hours re-fuelling of Oban Coastguard helicopter and planning permissions.  Members also commended officers for encouraging film companies to come to Argyll and Bute.

The Committee;

(i)            noted the performance report for Development and Infrastructure Services for FQ2 2014-15;

(ii)          agreed that the non uplift of recycling bins in a particular area of Tarbert be investigated;

(iii)         agreed that an update report on the maintenance and development of the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail be brought to a future meeting of the Committee;

(iv)         noted that an update progress report on the Scottish Ferry Services Plan and financial details would be brought to the relevant Area Committee in the first instance, followed by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee and then Policy and Resources Committee;

(v)           agreed to prioritise the issue of re-fuelling Oban Coastguard helicopter during out of hours, and Members be provided with an update report on this; and

(vi)         agreed that further information on the progress of planning permissions and their implementation be provided to Members.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report which set out the arrangements for formal liaison between Argyll and Bute Council, Transport Scotland, the Trunk Road operating company (BEAR Scotland) and Police Scotland was considered.

The Chair updated Members on a meeting which had been attended by the Scottish Transport Minister.  The focus was on the October landslip and it had been agreed that Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland would continue to look at all options available to keeping the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful open, along with the impact of mitigation measures, with the aim of ensuring “continuous access” to Argyll.

The next meeting would be brought forward from July.

Decision

The Committee noted and endorsed the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated December 2014.)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report was considered by the Committee which introduced a new policy which proposed that election and referendum campaign material not be permitted to be displayed on council property including street furniture.

Discussion also took place about information shared by the Chair, which referred to those Scottish Councils which had a policy for non display of election material on lampposts. Members deliberated the positive and negative aspects in relation to the proposed policy.

The Committee heard from the head of Roads and Amenity Services on the key issues within the proposal and the position in other Councils which had adopted this approach.

Motion

To endorse the report and approve that the policy be taken to Council for approval as a Council policy.

Moved by Councillor Morton, seconded by Councillor Kinniburgh

Amendment

Take no further action.

Moved by Councillor MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Marshall

Decision

A vote was taken by a show of hands, there was 7 for the Motion and 7 for the amendment. On there being an equality of votes the Chair gave her casting vote to the Motion and the Committee resolved accordingly.

The Committee;

(i)            agreed to endorse the report; and

(ii)          approved that the policy be taken to Council for approval as a Council policy.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated December 2014, submitted, and emails dated 15 January 2015 by the Chair)

Councillor Donald MacMillan left the meeting at this point.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report which provided an overview of the issues arising from the proposed creation of a new single harbour authority (SHA) in Oban setting out the benefits and risks associated with the proposal was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed:

1.    to support in principle the preferred option of a hybrid single harbour authority; and

2.    that officers continue discussions on that basis, exploring financial and governance implications and report back to the Committee when more detail was available.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 17 December 2014, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the second year of the pilot service operating between Campbeltown and Ardrossan.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 19 December 2014, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report was considered which provided the Committee with an update on the activity generated by Cruise Scotland this year.

The Committee considered membership of Cruise Scotland to be a real opportunity to; increase the number of cruise ships visiting not just Oban but also other areas of Argyll and Bute; to develop and expand the number of locations visited; and market the area’s potential.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report and endorsed the importance of Marine Tourism to the economy of Argyll and Bute.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 15 January 2015, submitted)

An outline workplan to facilitate forward planning of reports to the EDI Committee was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Reference: Report on Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee Work Plan 201/15 as at January 15 2015, submitted)