Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Audrey Forrest.

Councillor Ross Moreland declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 9 of the agenda (Supporting Communities Fund – Monitoring of Projects Funded) with specific reference to the report from ACT - Argyll & the Isles Coast & Countryside Trust and the report from PA23 BID Ltd (Dunoon Presents), advising that he had been appointed by the Council to both boards. Having taken note of the updated Standards Commission Guidance in relation to declarations (issued on 7 December 2021) with specific reference to section 5.4(c) he did not consider that he had a relevant connection and as such would remain in the meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee, held on 6 June 2023 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group, held on 15 August 2023 were noted.

Having noted the commitments of those in attendance, the Chair agreed to vary the order of business.  This Minute reflects the order in which discussions took place.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the Play Park engagement responses following the conclusion of the community engagement exercise in light of the Scottish Government Play Park funding allocation. 

Councillor McCabe left the meeting at this point and Councillor McNeilly took over as Chair.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1.    noted the breakdown of engagement and consultation responses in each area with the majority of responses focussing on new/replacement equipment; and

2.    agreed that officers make arrangements for a Business Day to discuss how the funding would be spent in Bute and Cowal.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated August 2023, submitted)

Alistair McLay asked the Area Committee a number of questions in relation to Dunoon Pier.

1.    Does the Area Committee know which department within the Council currently has responsibility for maintaining the Pier?

2.    Does the Area Committee know how much money is currently set aside annually for the maintenance of the structure and associated buildings and what resource has been committed this year?

3.    I believe over the last couple of years there has been budget surplus, could this be allocated to the Area Committee to maintain the Pier?

4.    What pressure has Argyll and Bute Council brought to central Government to secure the required resources to perform repairs and maintenance?

Councillor McNeilly advised that the Area Committee does not have financial responsibility and cannot make any spending commitments in this regard, adding that this would be a matter for the Policy and Resources Committee or Full Council.

Councillor Moreland advised that over the last few years the Council did not have any surplus money and to significantly improve the Pier would require fiscal intervention by the Scottish or UK Governments. Councillor Moreland further advised that the Council do maintain the Pier but to significantly improve it would require between 8 and 10 million pounds, adding that the Local Councillors are always pushing for funding and would continue to do so.

Mr McLay asked the Area Committee if they would support looking at potentially partnering with a community body to apply for external funds such as the Heritage Lottery Fund?.

Councillor McNeilly highlighted that if Mr McLay had a group in mind that the Area Committee would be happy to engage with them.

The Project Manager advised that information is available through the Marine Asset Management Plan which focuses on marine infrastructure and that he would send Mr McLay the Plan along with the associated budget allocation following the meeting. Mr Calder further advised that the Roads and Infrastructure team are also happy to discuss and support any ideas around the maintenance and improvement of the Pier.

The Project Manager advised that the Dunoon Pier formed part of the wider Council bid for the levelling up fund and that there is a significant amount of information available in this regard. Mr Calder advised that he would circulate this to Mr McLay and the Area Committee for information.

The Area Committee agreed to convene a business day meeting to explore possible future options and funding streams for Dunoon Pier.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 1 of 2023/24 (April to June 2023) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1.    noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented;

2.    noted that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee should contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas with any queries; and

3.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Performance Report and Scorecard.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 23 August 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided links to the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated August 2023, submitted)

Councillor McCabe returned to the meeting at this point and took over as Chair.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report providing details on the council’s recycling and landfill diversion performance along with national policy, targets and regulations which are likely to impact on future performance.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted and gave consideration to the details as outlined in the report and the national policy drivers that would likely impact over the coming years.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided monitoring information on the funding given to community projects from the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund and summarised projects completed within 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22. 

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1.    noted and considered the positive contribution of the Supporting Communities Fund detailed in section 4 of the report and the table; and

2.    noted that a total of £3,787.28 had been returned and that £559.19 would be included in the distribution of the Supporting Communities Fund for 2024/25 with the other funds included and redistributed in previous years.

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 5 September 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibilities for Legal and Regulatory Support

Consideration was given to a report inviting the Area Committee to consider the composition of the Cruach Mhor Windfarm Trust, taking into account changes through the passage of time since the Area Committee first considered the establishment of a Trust in 2003.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to revise the list of Trustees appointed to the Cruach Mhor windfarm by:

1.   agreeing that if Scottish Power Renewables decline appointment as Trustees that the Trust Deed reflect this position;

2.   resolving to increase in terms of the number of community representative positions on the trust from one to three, and that arrangements for the election of community representatives be delegated to the Returning Officer to progress; and

3. noting that the boundaries of the windfarm trust and the Colintraive & Glendaruel Community Council area are co-terminous.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 24 August 2023, submitted)

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee workplan was before members for information.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Committee noted the contents of the workplan.

(Reference: Bute and Cowal Area Committee workplan, dated 5 September 2023)