Issue - meetings

Question from Kenny Matheson, Dunoon Community Council (DCC)

 

Mr Matheson read out the below question;

 

Kenny Matheson asked whether school teachers could take part in the School Hub consultation and whether DCC could have an update?

 

Response from Committee

 

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly confirmed that as discussed at the recent Community Services Committee, which she chairs, an exercise was undertaken in June 2021 which determined that due to covid pressures the educational change programme would not be taken forward at that point but that all agencies and partners would be embarking on a consultation exercise in due course, which would include discussions with trade unions and Head Teachers with a briefing paper due to be submitted to the Community Services Committee in December 2021.

 

Question from Kenny Matheson, Dunoon Community Council (DCC)

 

Kenny Matheson asked what support are Argyll and Bute Council giving to the people who lost their livelihood, through no fault of their own, due to the resent fire in Dunoon?

 

Response from Committee

 

The Chair confirmed that the Area Committee would give every support it could and, along with the rest of the Committee, commended the Roads and Infrastructure Service (RIS) for acting swiftly in helping during and after the fire along with other public sector partners.

 

Discussion focused on how to re-establish the pavements and access to the town and whether this unfortunate event offered an opportunity to re-design and improve the town centre.

 

It was noted that a local volunteer group had been formed with the aim to help support the re-establishment of the area. Councillor Audrey Forrest advised that she was involved with the group as a local volunteer and would feed back to members. Councillor McNeilly suggested it might be beneficial for the group to make contact with Dunoon BID as a statutory body to harness interest and resources.

 

Response from Project Manager

 

The Project Manager confirmed that the Business Gateway team in Economic Development would be best placed to advise on support available and that he would request they get in contact with DCC.  The Committee Manager confirmed that he had obtained some information from the Employability team, which he would pass onto DCC.

 

Question from Isobel Strong, Bute Community Council

 

Isobel Strong asked if there was an impact analysis carried out before the decision was made to close the nursery at Ardencraig Gardens; had Officers established who they would procure the plants from and at what volume, where would they be stored; what would be the impact on the carbon footprint; and would gardeners be redeployed to other areas within the service?

 

Response from Committee

 

The Chair stated that there would be a full debate on this subject later on the agenda but invited the Project Manager to respond where possible.

 

Response from Project Manager

 

The Project Manager confirmed it was not appropriate to comment on any individual employees’ situation but understood the main concern was over the quality of any future provisions and stated that members of the public should see no noticeable difference in the new model as the gardens were not closing and would remain open, planted and staffed. Processes and figures would be determined after the procurement exercise which would be structured towards the quality of plants. He confirmed all nursery services would be taken into consideration during the procurement exercise, not just those at Ardencraig.

 

Confirmation was sought and received on the amount of donations received and what income was generated by Ardencraig Gardens, with the figures to be issued to Isobel Strong.

 

Question from Willie Lynch, Dunoon Community Council

 

In Mr Lynch’s absence, the Committee Manager read out the below question:

 

The lack of communication from the Roads and Infrastructure department is nothing short of a scandal. You raise an issue on their email address and receive an automatic reply and nothing else! Road planners do not answer emails, we do not know any managers in Amenities. The operatives who pick up the rubbish in the town centre do a superb job and the rest of the town is neglected.  Sandbank Road and the A815 are in dire need of resurfacing. Sandbank Road must be one of the top five busiest roads in Argyll and Bute. It has ruts and is uneven. Articulated lorries, low loaders, vehicles with trailers and skip lorries bounce down the road making much noise which is a nuisance for people living on those streets and affecting their mental health.

 

Response from Committee/Project Manager

 

Councillor Gordon Blair, Councillor Jim Anderson and Councillor Alan Reid agreed that anonymous emails, as well as Casebook responses from services were not helpful and that Officers were to be encouraged to add their names to all methods of communication.

 

The Project Manager confirmed that when dealing with many emails each day, the communication model used for tracking enquires sent to the central inbox was the most efficient and practical method but would contact DCC to advise them on the best way to raise issues.

 

Councillor McNeilly stated that members of the public are also reminded that they can contact their ward councillors to pursue matters directly with Officers on their behalf.

 

Question from Willie Lynch, Dunoon Community Council

 

In Mr Lynch’s absence, the Committee Manager read out the below question:

 

Can we gain funding for the pier? It is an iconic landmark but needs to be brought up to standard. We cannot wait for a decision on passenger ferries to be made before action. That will take a time. I do not think that there is necessary correlation between the two. A lot of good work is being done or in the planning to improve our town and make it more attractive. Lets step up to the plate and add the pier to the action plan.

 

Response from Project Manager

 

The Project Manager confirmed that this was not for Officers to answer as allocation of funding was for Members to determine.