Minutes:
Question: Andy Anderson sought costs associated with a policy, referred to as one of ‘planned obsolescence’ of Castle Toward, for the last ten years along with an estimate for the next five years.
Response: Charles Reppke advised that Argyll and Bute Council do not have such a policy but that information could be sought from the Council’s Strategic Finance department relating to costs associated with Castle Toward.
Karen Komurcu presented Councillor Walsh with a box containing a petition with 9,451 signatures supporting the Community buy out of Castle Toward, seeking to reduce the amount that Argyll and Bute Council will accept for the Castle Toward estate from £1,750,000 to £750,000.
Question: Karen Komurcu sought information as to whether Argyll and Bute Council had a plan for Castle Toward.
Response: Councillor Walsh stated that there is an opportunity to enhance the existing business case and that he supports sitting round a table with SCCDC as a partnership.
Question: Karen Komurcu asked if there is a plan for housing as part of development of Castle Toward.
Response: Councillor Walsh advised that if it was felt appropriate then housing could be included.
Question: Karen Komurcu queried whether housing had previously been an element of plans.
Response: Councillor Walsh responded that housing was considered in proposals developed in June 2014.
Response: Councillor Blair added that there would be the possibility to seek further information about this under the Freedom of Information Act.
Question: Councillor Marshall asked if there is any other company involved in discussions.
Response: Councillor Walsh advised that the Council is not involved in discussions with other companies regarding the sale of Castle Toward.
Question: Ken Barr queried why the Bute and Cowal Area Committee were not entitled to determine the disposal of Castle Toward, and further asked Mr Reppke to confirm there had been no other expressions of interest in the purchase of Castle Toward.
Response: Mr Reppke advised that the Council’s Standing Orders are clear on the relevant delegations, and that he was not in a position to advise whether any other persons had expressed an interest in the purchase of Castle Toward.
Question: Alison Duncan queried the Council’s actions should SCCDC withdraw from the buyout process.
Response: Charles Reppke advised that marketing of Castle Toward had ceased as an interest in community buyout had been expressed, and that if SCCDC were to withdraw further marketing of the property would be considered.
Statement: Dave Dewar stated that two Councillors have lost the support of the Community and in his view had two options: support the proposed community buy out or resign as Councillors.
Statement: Councillor Walsh advised that as Leader of the Council he has a responsibility for public funds and would always exercise judgement based on advice. The options which were available for consideration were reducing the asking price for the property or offering a loan to the community, and a loan had been determined to be appropriate. Councillor Walsh further reminded those present that he is accountable to the public and that is not disregarding public concern in the matter.
Statement: Dave Dewar stated that two councillors disagree with Councillor Walsh’s view.
Question: Nicola Law queried why the Council is using as the basis for its position the valuation of Castle Toward provided by the District Valuer.
Response: Charles Reppke advised that this valuation was taken into consideration as the District Valuer had been appointed by the Scottish Government to provide a valuation as part of the community buyout process.
Statement: Nicola Law stated that a red book valuation had been prepared by Savilles and that this should be taken into consideration.
Question: Councillor Marshall queried whether the Campbeltown Town Hall had been valued at between £180,000 and £200,000 but that this asset had been handed to the community for nothing .
Response: Charles Reppke advised that he would check the valuation figure and confirm to Members because his recollection about his was not the same as the Councillor. At the end of the public and Councillor question time Mr Reppke confirmed that the District Valuer’s valuation for Campbeltown Town Hall was zero.
Statement: Eileen Szynkowiak stated that tax payers are currently paying to keep Castle Toward shut and that people are leaving Argyll and Bute. Ms Szynkowiak further stated that there is something wrong with the running of the Council.
Question: Alison Duncan queried how many empty properties are currently held by the Council.
Response: Councillor Walsh advised that the Council maintains information on all assets it holds, and that the Council has an asset management strategy in place.
Question: Councillor Breslin requested clarity regarding the responses which had been given as to whether the Council had received notifications of interest in Castle Toward from parties other than from SCCDC.
Response: Charles Reppke advised that he did not know the answer to this question.
Response: Councillor Walsh advised that he is not aware of any other interested party.
It was declared by the Chair at this point that a point of order could not be taken by the floor.
Question: Councillor Strong requested detail as to the cost to Argyll and Bute Council of acquiring Castle Toward.
Response: Charles Reppke advised that Argyll and Bute Council acquired Castle Toward from Strathclyde Regional Council in 1996 as part of the legislative process governing local authority re-organisation.
Statement: Councillor Strong responded that in her view Argyll and Bute Council had acquired Castle Toward without cost.
Question: Karen Komurcu asked for further information on the Council’s strategic plan for Castle Toward, including for how long the Council are willing to have the building as an unused asset.
Response: Councillor McNaughton advised that it is likely that Castle Toward would be put on the open market if the proposed community buyout is not completed.
Question: Alistair McKinnon queried whether members of the public could see the strategic management plan, and asked who within the Council is responsible for the plan.
Response: Charles Reppke indicated that he was unclear about what was being asked. If the query was about a Strategic Master Plan for the Estate then this is possible under planning legislation and in theory can be progressed by a range of parties who might have an interest in seeing the land developed, it is not simply a matter for the Council.
Question: Alison Duncan queried why Castle Toward could not be handed over to SCCDC.
Response: Councillor McNaughton advised that this question had already been dealt with.
Question: Eleanor Stevenson asked why the Council wouldn’t accept the offer which had been made and stop changing goal posts.
Response: Councillor McNaughton advised that this question had already been dealt with.
Question: Dave Dewar queried whether a letter from Alex Neil would influence thinking.
Response: Councillor Walsh acknowledged Alex Neil’s interest in the matter and his knowledge of the right to buy process. He advised that he had already replied to the Minister
Question: Monty Phillips queried why the Council are using the valuation supplied by the District Valuer.
Response: Charles Reppke advised that the right to buy process needs to be followed, and reminded those present that the District Valuer had been appointed by the Scottish Government to undertake the valuation as part of the right to buy process.
Question: Councillor Breslin asked Mr Reppke if he agreed that all valuations are subjective.
Response: Mr Reppke responded that all valuations will include a subjective element, but noted that the District Valuer and all others suitably qualified undertake valuations within a professional framework.
Statement: Nicola Law advised that the importance of jobs in the area should not be forgotten.
Question: Councillor Marshall asked Councillor McNaughton whether he continued to support the community buyout.
Response: Councillor McNaughton advised that he continued to support the buyout of the property by South Cowal Community Council, but could not support the sought reduction in sale price.
Question: Alistair McKinnon queried whether the Council borrow against the Council’s property portfolio?
Response: Charles Reppke advised that this question would be most appropriately directed to the Council’s Head of Strategic Finance for a response.
Question: Councillor Blair queried whether this would be a missed opportunity for jobs and whether Cowal would lose eighty to ninety jobs.
Response: Councillor Walsh advised that the Council’s decision was made with the intention of helping the community and that he wanted to bring jobs to the area.