Issue - meetings

Councillor Redman spoke of damp and mould issues at the Brauchgorm housing estate on Islay.  He advised that as a resident he was aware of how difficult it had been to get the issues resolved with West Highland Housing Association (WHHA), and had made many representations on behalf of himself and other residents directly to the Association, but to no avail.  The Committee Manager agreed to draft a letter on behalf of the Committee, asking them to look into the issue.

Councillor Redman spoke of the poor condition of the Ballimony Road on Islay and advised that despite reporting this issue through the casebook system on a number of occasions since 2017, there has been no satisfactory resolution.  He asked whether the Area Committee would consider taking this matter forward with the appropriate officer.  The Committee Manager agreed to raise this matter with the Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Amenity Services. 

General discussion was had in relation to reporting mechanisms for complaints, particularly in relation to road issues and the use of the casebook system and how this links with the new Roads Operations HUB.  The Chair, Councillor Currie agreed to arrange with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services a session on this, to possibly include a visit to the HUB, at a future Business Day meeting.  

Councillor Horn raised the issue of advertising meetings of the Area Committee, in the local press and on social media platforms, to encourage participation by Community Council’s and other interested parties.  The Chair agreed that local organisations and community groups within the area of the meeting venue, would be invited to future meetings to outline initiatives and local issues. 

Councillor Philand spoke of the reporting mechanisms for school updates and suggested that a report for noting would be sufficient to meetings with local members attending relevant schools for a more indepth report at a convenient time.  The Chair agreed to look into the reporting mechanisms with Senior Management. 

Councillor Colville spoke of the recent decision by CS Wind to scale back their services in the Kintyre area.  He outlined the detrimental effect this is having on the local economy with the loss of over 80 jobs.  He outlined the current arrangements put in place by CS Wind to move the wind  towers from the factory to the quayside in Campbeltown.  This includes night road closures, police escorts from the Glasgow abnormal loads division by officers on their days off, so as not to take away from regular duties, with the cars, fuel and accommodation all being paid for by CS Wind.  Councillor Colville explained that the feeling locally is that there are more than enough local civil expertise to assist these movements at a far less cost to CS Wind.  He asked the Committee to support his case and write to the relevant Government Minister expressing their concerns.  The Committee Manager agreed to take this forward. 

Councillor Colville expressed his concerns that wooden barriers on roadside verges had been erected on the North side of the Crinan Canal bridge at Ardrishaig.  He spoke of similar barriers being removed a number of years ago as they had attributed to fatal accidents and asked that the Area Committee write to BEAR Scotland and Scottish Canals and ask them to consider removing them.  The Committee Manager agreed to take this matter forward. 

Councillor Armour provided an update on the Machrihanish to Campbeltown mains water pipe.  He confirmed that contractors were in place and ready to begin work and that the work would involve minimal disruption in the area.

Councillor Armour further advised that representatives from BEAR Scotland had recently met with the farmer who complained that the erection of barriers had damaged drains.  He confirmed that BEAR Scotland had advised that plans were on the way to rectify the situation. 

Councillor Philand advised that further to his enquiries on the position of Environmental Wardens in the MAKI area, he had been advised that there were none and that the area relies on cross cover from other areas.  The Committee Manager agreed to enquire with the relevant department why there was a gap in the MAKI provision and what plans were in place to address it. 

Councillor Taylor took the opportunity to provide Members with a short update on activity in Inveraray.  He advised of the completion of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) on buildings such as Chamberlains and Temperance House and the avenue screen.  He outlined some of the projects being taken forward by the Community Council and the Community Company, which included the reinstatement of the pier; the erection of a permanent fence around the town hall and the ongoing work towards the installation of pontoons as a way of increasing tourism in the area. 

Councillor MacMillan also highlighted the good work done by the Community Council in acquiring a new minibus.