Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated on behalf of Councillor Devon

The following declarations of interest were noted due to Member’s involvement with the groups and /or committees, Members left the room at these points and took no part in the discussion of the respective items:

Continued to the next meeting.

The minutes of Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee meeting held on 15^th February were approved as a correct record, subject to amending page 1 to read “The Meeting recommenced at 10.30am”

The minutes of Oban Lorn and the Isles Special Area Committee meeting held on 14^th March were approved as a correct record.

Report by Douglas Hendry, Executive Director - Customer Services

The report outlined the background to The Big Lunch event and proposals on how the Council can support this as part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Decision:

The Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the report and agreed;

a)     that this initiative is dealt with in the same manner as other events to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by disseminating this information to Community Groups to promote within their local communities and;

b)     to ensure that paperwork is circulated to the relevant services to ensure that support for the event is provided where possible.

(Ref: Report by Douglas Hendry, Executive Director - Customer Services, dated 27 February 2012, 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 items of business (5(a), (b) and (c)) on the grounds that they were likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Callum Black, Streetscene Manager

The Committee noted a tabled report by Callum Black, Streetscene Area Manager, in regard to Dungallan Public Park.

Decision:

It was agreed that a further report be submitted to the Area Committee meeting on 13^th June 2012, to include advice taken from the Planning Service and Historic Scotland in regard to fully costed options for upgrade or removal of the wall, within the context of future options for the development of Dungallan Park, and including Risk Assessment information on the balustrades of the wall.

(Ref: Report by Streetscene Area Manager dated 11 April 2012, submitted)

Report by Hugh Blake, Estates Surveyor

The Committee considered a report by Executive Director, Customer Services, in relation to the Snack Bar Site at Ganavan.

Decision:

The Committee agreed the recommendation contained within the report dated 2^nd April 2012 by the Executive Director of Customer Services

(Ref: Report by Hugh Blake, Estates Surveyor, dated 2 April 2012, submitted)

Councillor McCuish requested an update on ownership of an area of land at Glenshellach following an area committee decision to purchase this.

Decision:

Estates Services to provide a written update to the next Business Meeting.

Presentation by Myra MacArthur, Head Teacher

The Committee heard a presentation from Myra McArthur, Head Teacher, outlining progress within the school which extends from Nursery through to High School, advising on the many varied skills brought in voluntarily from the community to add to the basic curriculum, and relevant to the local culture.

Myra informed the Committee that SQA results show very variable measures against other schools, and explained the difficulties in measuring against other schools and steps taken to give a more realistic comparison, adding that the staff work hard to raise expectations of the pupils and also of their parents.

Members noted the information provided and complimented Ms McArthur, her staff and pupils, on the ongoing high performance of Tiree High School.

Report by Marina Curran-Colthart, Local Biodiversity Officer

Members considered and noted a report by Marina Curran-Colthart, Local Biodiversity Officer, advising on the effects of storm events between early December 2011 and January 2012 relating to Ganavan beach.

Decision:

Members:

(a)   noted and agreed the content of the report by the Local Biodiversity Officer; and

(b)   instructed the Streetscene Manager to investigate removal of the concrete bases which have been revealed due to the sand shifting.

(Ref: Report by Marina Curran-Colthart, Local Biodiversity Officer, submitted)

Report by Martin Gorringe, Marine and Airports Manager

Members considered a report by Martin Gorringe, Marine Manager, updating on current issues in the Oban Lorn and the Isles area.

Decision:

The Committee:

(a)   noted the report by the Marine Manager with the exception of 3.3; and requested that he discuss with the owners of the Barge in Oban Bay options to relocate the structure;

(b)   requested that a report on the lease of ground to Oban Sailing Club be submitted to the June meeting of the Area Committee; and

(c)   requested that a report be submitted to the area committee meeting on 13 June 2012 detailing proposals for taking forward the development of plans to construct a new waiting room facility on Luing.

(Ref: Report by Martin Gorringe, Marine Manager, dated 3^rd April 2012, submitted)

The Chairman ruled that the meeting be adjourned for 30 minutes

Report by Mr Chris Shirley, Quality Standards Manager

The Area Committee considered a report from Mr Chris Shirley, Quality Standards Manager, outlining proposals for primary school reporting.

Decision:

The Area Committee approved the proposals for primary school reporting as being the appropriate mechanism for the reporting of the achievements of primary schools, ensuring the same reporting format is adopted across the four Council areas:

a)      Education Scotland (HMIE) reports on individual schools to be presented to the relevant area committee by the Head Teacher following the report’s publication;

b)      The Quality Improvement Officer(s) for the schools in each area attends the area committee on an annual basis to provide a brief update on issues pertaining to the schools in the area, e.g. awards, new appointments or major curriculum developments; and

c)      The Quality Improvement Officer(s) attends the Local Area Community Planning Group on an annual basis to present the Education Service’s Standards and Quality Report, outlining any local issues.

(Ref: Report by Mr Chris Shirley, Quality Standards Manager dated 11 April 2012, submitted)

Report by Laura Macdonald, Community Development Officer

The Committee considered a report detailing recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants (including Events and Festivals) to Third Sector organisations for Oban, Lorn and the Isles.

Decision:

To award the organisations listed below funding from grants to the Third Sector:

(Ref: Report by Laura Macdonald, Community Development officer for Oban Lorn and the Isles, dated 2 April 2012, submitted)

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.