Agenda and minutes

There was an apology for absence intimated on behalf of Councillor Len Scoullar.

Councillor Gordon Blair declared a non-financial interest in item 12 – Dunoon to Gourock Ferry Service, as a member of the Ferry Action Group.  He remained in the meeting for the item.

The minutes of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on Tuesday 3 March 2020 were approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Rothesay Common Good Fund meeting held on Tuesday 3 March 2020 were noted.

The minutes of the Rothesay Common Good Fund meeting held on Thursday 9 April 2020 were noted.

No questions were submitted.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard report for Financial Quarter 4 of 2019-2020 (January-March 2020) which illustrated the agreed performance measures.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee;

1.    noted the performance presented on the Scorecard and supporting commentary;

2.    noted that upon receipt of the quarterly performance report the Area Committee Members could contact either the Performance Improvement Officer or the responsible named officer with any queries; and

3.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to the Performance Improvement Officer with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the report and scorecard.

(Reference: Report by Interim Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 1 September 2020, submitted)

At this point in the meeting Councillor Jim Anderson declared a non-financial interest in the following item as a board member of Live Argyll.  He left the meeting and took no part in the consideration of the item.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and  Regulatory Support

Members gave consideration to a report which provided information on proposals in relation to the ongoing management of 12 Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds that the Bute and Cowal Area Committee are Trustees for.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee;

1.    agreed that the Charities and Trust Funds are awarded on the basis outlined in paragraph 8.1 of the report;

2.    agreed the distribution of the Charities and Trust Funds outlined within Appendix 1 of the report subject to clarification from Officers of the history of the Piano Fund Dunoon;

3.    agreed that a moratorium be placed on funds being distributed from the Bute Education Trust; and

4.    noted that a distribution proposal for the Lamont Bequest would be brought to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal & Regulatory Support dated 27 July 2020, submitted)

At this point Councillor Anderson re-joined the meeting.

Report by Executive Director with responsibilities for Education Services

The Committee gave consideration to a progress and statistical update report on the

Primary Schools in Bute and Cowal for the 2019/2020 session.

The Education Officer provided a verbal update on how the response to the pandemic and return to schools had been managed. The approach had been facilitated by a well-developed and strong online and social media presence. This has been recognised nationally as a model of good practice.  Discussion focused on how creative advertising of teacher posts and marketing of schools could encourage families to re-locate to Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee;

1.    considered the content of the report; and

2.    commended the work of all teaching, support staff and Officers who had developed new ways of working to support pupils and parents in response to Covid-19.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education Services dated 1 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance and Associate Director of Public Health, Health and Social Care Partnership

Members gave consideration to a report containing performance data on National Health and Well Being for financial quarter 4 (2019/20) and a Public Health update on Covid-19.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee;

1.    noted the scorecard performance data on National Health and Well Being for the FQ4 (19/20) reporting period;

2.    noted the considerable impact COVID-19 restrictions had with regards to available data;

3.    considered the COVID-19 reflection on performance for FQ1 and FQ2 (2020/2021);

4.    noted the Public Health Update.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance and Associate Director of Public Health, Health and Social Care Partnership dated 1 September 2020, submitted).

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided a summary of activity carried out by the Roads and Infrastructure team across the Bute and Cowal area.

Discussion focussed on the staged re-opening of public conveniences and the need to be aware that some are maintained by elderly workers that may not be able to offer their services due to the council’s duty of care towards their welfare during the pandemic.

Issues around lack of white-lining in Glendural and Strachur and other locations were discussed and the benefits of exploring funding options with wind farm trusts to look at installing more electric charging points.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted and considered the update.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated August 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing detail on the Council’s

recycling and landfill diversion performance along with national policy, targets and

regulations which are likely to impact on future performance.

The Chair encouraged Members to raise any questions or concerns they may have on their case-management system, Casebook, in order to adequately manage and track queries and responses.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted and considered the details outlined within the report including the national policy drivers that would likely impact over the next few years.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated August 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing a request from Isle of Bute BID for one representative of Argyll and Bute Council to sit as a non-voting member on the Steering Group.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to appoint Councillor Jim Findlay to be the Council representative on the Isle of Bute BID Steering Group.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal & Regulatory Support dated 21 July 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services and Presentation by Ruairidh Campbell, Harbour and Engineering Liaison Manager, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited

The Committee gave consideration to a report and a presentation which provided an update on plans for the Dunoon, Gourock and Kilcreggan ferry infrastructure.

The Harbour and Engineering Liaison Manager, CMAL explained that the Reference Group will be updated at each milestone along with press announcements and updates on CMAL’s website.

Discussion focused on the specifications on the design of the vessels and how subsequent works to the shore-side infrastructure would be financed.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee;

1.    considered the report;

2.    expressed concern about the cost and funding implications in relation to anticipated shore-side infrastructure developments; and

3.    agreed quarterly updates to be submitted to the Area Committee from CMAL.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services and Presentation by Harbour and Engineering Liaison Manager, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited dated August 2020, submitted)

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly left the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item in order to attend another meeting.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

A report which updated Members on the work undertaken by the wind farm trusts set up at both Cruach Mhor (Glendaruel) and Clachan Flats (Cairndow) in accordance with consented developments was before the Committee for noting

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the updates, which are the most recent of the annual updates required by the Area Committee on the work of the Trusts.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal & Regulatory Support dated 21 July 2020, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to the Draft Bute and Cowal Workplan as of  September 2020.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the Bute and Cowal Workplan.

(Reference: Bute and Cowal Workplan dated 1 September 2020, submitted).