Issue - meetings

Recommendation by the Bute and Cowal Area Committee of 31 August 2021

The Council considered a recommendation by the Bute and Cowal Area Committee of 31 August 2021 with regard to a Notice of Motion which was agreed in relation to Ardencraig Gardens.

Motion

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee request that the Council pause, for a period of 18 months from August 2021, the implementation of the decision of the budget meeting of 25 February 2021, regarding the future of Ardencraig Gardens making a saving of £5000 for the council and ask that the relevant service, in the meantime, find that saving from existing budgets. This will enable the community and other interested parties time to develop a business plan to still achieve the savings for the council and allow the gardens to remain open and operate commercially on a basis to be agreed. This would allow an opportunity for a very strong community group to get the required business plan and income revenue in place to continue the running and advancement of the gardens at no cost to the council whilst achieving the savings identified in the budget. This may also provide an income for the council.

Moved by Councillor Moffat, seconded by Councillor Findlay.

Amendment

(i)            Notes that all Councillors present at the Budget vote on 25 February 2021 voted to save £10,000 by stopping the nursery growing service at Kilmory and Ardencraig;

(ii)        Notes that this decision has no impact on the continued operation of Ardencraig Gardens;

(iii)       Welcomes the formation of the Ardencraig Garden Interest Group (AGIG) and the engagement of officers from Roads and Infrastructure with that group;

(iv)       Thanks AGIG for carrying out their visitor survey and for engaging with the Council over the future of Ardencraig gardens and nursery; and

(v)        Requests that Council officers continue their dialogue with AGIG and submit a paper to the December meeting of the EDI Committee with their recommendations regarding AGIG’s plans for the gardens and nursery.

Moved by Councillor Good, seconded by Councillor Reid.

As the meeting was being held on a virtual basis the vote required to be taken by calling the Roll and Members voted as follows –

Decision

The Amendment was carried by 19 votes to 14 and became the finding of the Council.

(Ref: Recommendation by the B&C Area Committee and Notice of Motion, submitted)