Issue - meetings

The Governance Manager advised that 2 questions had been submitted in advance from Jeanmary Knowles, Islay.  Ms Knowles was in attendance and asked the following:-

Question 1 from Jeanmary Knowles

Can I ask if minutes for council meetings could identify directly if those participating were present in person or remotely.

The Governance Manager advised that there is no distinction between Members attending in person or remotely and this is referenced in the Council’s Standing Orders where it states at 4.1 in relation to quorum:-

“For the avoidance of doubt a member that is attending the meeting virtually in accordance with the arrangements for the meeting will be considered as present”.

Question 2 from Jeanmary Knowles

There are several bridges on the A846 between Ardbeg and Port Charlotte which are repeatedly "hit" by vehicles usually because they do not recognise that the carriageway narrows to only permit a single vehicle.

The road signage team for "lining" has many tasks to do on Islay in coming months and I wonder if the committee and the council would consider extra marking on the carriageway to indicate that this is single vehicle only - as is done in other places where an overhead bridge has a curved archway so limiting it to single vehicle only for certain heights of vehicle e.g. the Dry Bridge outside Armoy in Causeway Coast & Glens.

The ends of the bridge parapets are painted white but when they are hit this is lost so indication on the road surface itself would assist drivers un-familiar with the roads.

Mr Calder, Project Manager was in attendance and provided some detail around the criteria for such road markings.  He undertook to liaise with Ms Knowles to identify the particular locations and these could be assessed in relation to the guidance.

Questions from Susan Patterson, Southend

Firstly, I would like to offer my condolences on the sad passing of Provost Dougie Philand. I had worked with Dougie both in his role with the NHS and as a Councillor.

In regard to the roads in Southend, why do we still have the school signs and the solar panels (which are continually falling off) when the school has been closed for a significant time and has now been sold.

Mr Calder advised that he would seek further information in relation to the school signs and would provide information to Ms Patterson.

The level of grass at the corner opposite Seaview is of real concern.  On the other side of the road there are a lot of cars and as you are coming into a dip the traffic coming into Southend from the caravan site can’t see you.  If the grass was shorter then it would make a difference.

Mr Calder advised that he would get the roads inspector to have a look at the area and see what work could be done to improve the position.

Question from Malcolm Ronald, Southend

I have raised this issue at the Community Council meetings previously.  It relates to the lack of white lines on the road from Stewarton to Southend.  We’ve been told that the road isn’t wide enough to have white lines put down the middle of the road.  Can this be looked at again as it is a safety issue and has been raised at a number of the Community Council meetings and with the local Councillors.

The Chair advised that he also had concerns especially in the evening and in wintertime as well as in the summertime for people who don’t know the roads.  He noted that he had already spoken with the Network and Standards Manager and has asked for this to be looked at again.

Question from Linda Brannigan, Southend

I also wanted to raise the issue of the school signs and the white lines.  I find that the headlights on cars can be dazzling and this can make it quite difficult to drive.

Further comment from Malcolm Ronald, Southend

The condition of the road is good and now would be a good time to get the lines done.

Mr Calder advised that there is national guidance in relation to the provision of white lining.  Roads which are less than 5.5m in width would not normally be considered for this type of white lining.  There needs to consistency and treatment of routes.  He added that the service could certainly look again at what the options where for the route and report back to Members.

Question from Blair Johnston, Secretary, Ardrishaig KGV Community Park Association – read on their behalf by Councillor Tommy MacPherson

The Association submitted a 25-year lease application in January 2026, which remains unresolved despite repeated correspondence with the Council.

Has the Council ever proposed, discussed, assessed or considered any alternative future use of King George V Playing Field in Ardrishaig - including disposal, redevelopment, change of use, housing or removal of its Fields in Trust status?

The Governance Manager advised that she would forward the question to the appropriate officers for response.

The Governance Manager advised that there was a member of the public in attendance who wished to ask a question and the Chair invited him to ask his question. Following this, the Governance Manager advised that there had been four public questions submitted in advance of the meeting by John Bannatyne, Keith Wilson and Tony Oysters and in their absence read them out on their behalf.

Question from John Martin, Gigha Community Council

My question is to do with the possibility of the ferry being maintained, the route to mainland. We no longer have a church minister in Gigha and we have a service every 2 weeks, if the time comes where the new maintenance is on a Sunday, can this not collide on the same day.

The Chair advised that the question would be passed to the relevant Officer and Mr Martin would receive a written response following the meeting.

Question from Keith Wilson, Kintyre and Gigha Night Sky Group

Gigha’s new lighting causing light pollution. 

Argyll and Bute Council recently installed new LED street lights on the approach to the ferry slipway. 

They were also requested by the community to provide lighting in the ferry car park. 

The Council’s chosen solution for the car park lighting was to install two very powerful floodlights on the top of the streetlights. This caused severe light pollution across Gigha’s campsite as well as a residence. 

To address this issue the lights on two tall lamp posts have now been rotated 180°. The street lights now face away from the road, lighting the car park and the flood lights now illuminate the road, the beach, the bay, the moorings, the Boathouse restaurant and beyond. 

I find it unbelievable that Argyll and Bute Council would even consider that using powerful floodlights in a rural dark sky location in this way is acceptable good lighting practice.

My question is - what can be done to remove these floodlights and provide appropriate lighting for both the road and car park? 

The Project Manager advised that Roads and Infrastructure Services have received correspondence from Gigha Night Sky Group and colleagues are looking at different options, to explore what can be done to reduce the light level, whilst still providing appropriate illumination for the car park and road. It was noted that the Project Manager would respond directly to Gigha Night Sky Group and circulate the updated position with the Committee.

Question from John Bannatyne

After some considerable time of requesting Argyll and Bute council have installed some much needed lighting for the ferry car park on the Isle of Gigha, a longstanding request, these are causing a few issues amongst the recent arrivals to the community, do you think the council would consider this set of 2 lights being changed to a seasonal supply, October to March, they are there at the request of the commuters and school children on the island having some safety measures in place when accessing their vehicles in the car park. If the council could consider this request to seasonal car park lighting it may help to keep everyone happy, please note this does not include the slipway lighting which is an essential navigation aid.

The Project Manager advised that he would explore the options and provide a response directly to Mr Bannatyne, and circulate the response to the Committee.

Questions from Tony Oysters

Question 1

Can the councillors assure us that any future development of the toilets at Tayinloan include a waiting room as the current facility is vital as a place where visitors and particularly schoolchildren can escape from the weather while they wait for the ferry.  It is also well used by local individuals and businesses as a place where goods can be left for collection and in my case is actually vital to operating my business.

The Project Manager advised that the waiting facilities would be considered as part of the wider project looking at new harbour infrastructure at both sides of the crossing.

Question 2

Can the newly fitted super bright lights at the slipway be put on a timer so that they only operate when it's dark and the ferry is operating.  They appeared a month or two back and after complaints were made they were simply turned round to face out over Ardminish bay.  They are on for all the hours of darkness despite the fact that the only requirement, if there actually is a requirement for them at all, would surely be in winter only when the ferry is operating in darkness (ie 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6.30pm).  This would not only save the council money but would stop the extreme irritation that the islands residents feel towards these lights.  They are incredibly bright, in direct contravention of Gigha's dark sky designation and shine over directly onto any visiting yachts, my house and importantly they will illuminate Ardminish bay during all the winter darkness hours when the bay is used by many hundred birds as a safe winter roost.  Bright lights like these have been shown as having a serious negative effect on roosting birds.

It was noted that the Project Manager would investigate this and respond directly to Mr Oysters, and circulate the response to the Committee.

There were no public questions.