Issue - meetings

Mr McSporran, Chairman of Gigha Community Council enquired as to the position of maintenance at the local cemetery.  He advised that the paths and edges were in a terrible state, the shed door was in need of repair and the top gate needed replacing.  He also enquired about the give way sign at the ferry terminal and main road junction.  He advised that the hedge was now so overgrown that the sign was hidden inside it.  He enquired as to whether it would be possible to move the sign to a more visible spot or mark the road with the relevant white lines.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to refer the matters raised by Mr McSporran to the relevant departments and confirm the outcome to Mr McSporran directly. 

Mr Martin, local resident on the Isle of Gigha spoke of the speed of drivers, particularly outside the school and enquired whether the Council would consider imposing speed restrictions.  Councillor Kelly suggested that speed bumps outside the school may be a way of deterring speeding in the area.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise this matter with the Councils Head of Roads and Amenity Services and provide a response to Mr Martin through Gigha Community Council in due course.

Mr Martin raised the issue of the state of the public toilets since the death of the last caretaker in December.  Having established that there had been an advertisement for the position with a closing date sometime in April 2019, the Area Committee Manager agreed to look into the matter and confirm the position to Gigha Community Council in due course. 

Heather Saxton, local resident of the Isle of Gigha spoke of her health issues and the difficulties she faces in trying to attend medical appointments on the mainland.  Ms Saxton further advised of the difficulties she faced in resolving the issue of getting access to her driveway for her mobility scooter.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to forward this issue to the local Housing Association for resolution.

Discussion took place in respect of the lack of consistency for the ferry and bus link up service, the size of the ferry servicing the island and the need for prioritisation of local passengers, emergency services and GP spaces on the ferry.    Further discussion took place in respect of refuse collection with Mr McSporran enquiring as to the possibility of a bigger bin being provided at the ferry terminal, which could be collected by the lorry that is on the island every week.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to forward this request to the Council’s Head of Roads and Amenity Services.

Hannah Storie, owner of Ardminish Stores enquired as to the possibility of someone attending the island over the school holidays to provide a holiday club activities service for the children on the island.  The Education Officer, Pauline Inglis agreed to raise this matter with the Active School’s Coordinator for the area. 

The Area Committee Manager circulated a letter which had been received from Shona Bannatyne regarding the parking facilities at Tayinloan Ferry Terminal.  Ms Barton advised that she had forwarded the letter to the Council’s Head of Roads and Amenity Services and was awaiting a response in this regard. 

Councillor Kelly advised of the reinstatement of beds at Campbeltown Hospital.  He suggested that the Area Committee should have been kept abreast of developments by the Locality Manager.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise this matter with the Locality Manager and request that an update be provided to the Ward 1 members. 

Councillor Kelly advised that despite assurances from the Scottish Water representative who attended the last meeting of the Committee, there had been no meeting arranged with the Ward 1 Members to address the odour issues at Meadowburn, Campbeltown.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to pursue this with the Regional Communities Manager at Scottish Water.

Councillor Philand expressed concern over the level of priority given by the Health and Social Care Partnership to issues raised at Area Committee level.  He asked that the Area Committee Manager intimate his concerns to the Chief Executive and the Chief Officer of the Health and Social Care Partnership. 

Councillor Philand also requested that the Area Committee Manager readdress the issue of how the budget decisions taken in respect of youth and adult learning; environmental warden services; the road safety unit and music tuition will impact of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area with the Chief Executive as a matter of urgency. 

Councillor Armour requested that the issue of the pipeline between Campbeltown and Machrihanish be raised again with Scottish Water.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise this issue through correspondence with the Regional Communities Manager. 

Councillor Redman expressed concern over the information he had been given in relation to remedial works at Mansefield Road, Port Ellen and also drainage issues.  He asked that the Area Committee write to the Council’s Roads and Amenity Services and request that the issue is dealt with as a matter of urgency and ask Scottish Water to deal with the issue of the drains prior to the commencement of next year’s programme.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to take these issues forward. 

Councillor Horn asked that additional lighting in the carpark in Gigha be provided.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise this issue with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services. 

Councillor Taylor suggested that a report be brought to a future meeting of the Area Committee outlining the provision of safe routes to and from the school and pedestrian access on the Isle of Gigha.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to take this forward with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services.