Decision details

Consideration was given to a report which introduced the Annual Status and Options Report which makes an analytical assessment of the condition of the Council’s road network and associated infrastructure as well as setting out projected conditions based on varying levels of investment.  The report also introduced Audit Scotland’s Maintaining Scotland’s Roads Audit which had been published in August 2016.

Decision

The Committee:

·         Endorsed the Annual Status and Options Report (ASOR);

·         Noted the Audit Scotland report Maintaining Scotland’s Roads;

·         Noted that over recent financial years, Argyll and Bute Council has significantly increased its expenditure on the roads network as detailed in the report, making a total allocation of £18.446m from the capital budget in the last three years, against a national picture where overall council expenditure continues to decrease;  

·         2008/09 - £3.16M

·         2009/10 - £7.02M

·         2010/11 - £4.64M

·         2011/12 - £8.11M

·         2012/13 - £9.05M

·         2013/14 - £8.26M

·         2014/15 - £7.42M

·         2015/16 - £5.11M

·         Noted that the Audit Scotland report identifies Argyll and Bute Council as the fifth most improved and one of the fastest improving councils due to our increased investment in roads maintenance, while (at the time of writing the report in August 2016) ranking roads condition in the area lowest in Scotland;

·         Agreed to instruct the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure to write on behalf of the council, in a further written approach to the Scottish Government, to request a share of the £800m provided to the Scottish Government by the UK Government for investment in infrastructure, to augment the investment already committed by the council, given that the future economic prosperity of Argyll and Bute and Scotland as a whole relies on effective infrastructure with appropriate investment;

·         Notes that a report will come forward regarding the establishment of a joint board for the Northern Collaboration.

·         Agreed to instruct the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services in consultation with the Chair of the Committee and local ward Members to write to Transport Scotland –

a)    Noting with concern the lack of action to address flooding and the associated safety risk on the A83 Trunk Road between Tarbert and Ardrishaig.

b)    To seek action on an interim solution in addition to implementation of the planned permanent solution.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated October 2016, submitted; Annual Status and Options Report and Maintaining Scotland’s Roads – Audit Scotland Report; Notice of Motion by Councillor Ellen Morton, Seconded by Councillor Robert G MacIntyre)