Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Audrey Forrest.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee, held on 6 September 2022 were approved as a correct record.

 

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group, held on 1 November 2022 were noted.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum, held on 15 November 2022 were noted.

Question from Liz Neilson, Sandbank Resident

 

Liz Neilson highlighted that the Community were concerned with traffic speeding through Sandbank and the general lack of road safety measures along the entirety of the road. She added that within the last 6 months there had been a number of accidents with 2 fatalities being recorded. Mrs Neilson advised that the Community would like the Council to consider a number of suggestions to mitigate against speeding, the principal suggestion being a reduction of the speed limit to 20mph from Sandbank to Sandhaven.

 

Response from Committee/Project Manager

 

Councillor Sinclair highlighted that a speed survey had been requested for the section of road mentioned and advised that he had also spoken to 2 senior officers who are aware of the situation.

 

The Project Manager referred to the general purposes roads and infrastructure update provided in the agenda pack and highlighted the outstanding speed surveys, with the Sandbank to Cothouse survey being first on that list. He advised that local authorities have been allocated funding from the Scottish Government to undertake reviews of the road network which would allow an assessment of whether 30mph roads would remain as such or be reduced to 20mph.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to invite Police Scotland to a future meeting to discuss road safety measures within the locality.

 

Questions by Jim Osborne, Bute Community Councillor

 

Question 1

 

Jim Osborne enquired about the Traffic Speed Survey’s which are to be carried out on Kilchattan Bay and Crichton Road, Rothesay and asked the Project Manager if these are separate from the previously mentioned 20mph speed reviews and when these would be undertaken.

 

Response from Project Manager

 

The Project Manager advised that the speed surveys are in addition to the 20mph national speed reviews and that there is a section in the general purposes roads and infrastructure update that provides information on the speed surveys which would be worked through in that order.

 

Question 2

Jim Osborne asked about the review of Ardencraig Gardens which was to take place following the summer season, specifically the quality of plants. He asked the Project Manager if it had taken place and if so what the outcome was, he also enquired about who the Council’s horticultural experts were.

Response from Project Manager/Committee

The Project Manager confirmed that the Council employ a team of gardeners across the council area and that there are two based in Rothesay. The Project Manager confirmed that the Department would soon begin exploring options for the supply of bedding plants for 2023.

Question 3

Mr Osbourne asked why the Chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee never attends Bute Community Council meetings?

Response from Councillor McCabe

Councillor Mcneilly responded that this was an inappropriate question as there could be a host of private reasons as to why any elected member could not attend certain meetings and that members do face demands on their time.

The Chair advised that there are two other local councillors who routinely attend these meetings and are more than capable of giving council updates.

Question 4

Jim Osborne enquired about the target of 73 in the performance measure for "street cleaning" referenced within the Area Performance Report and asked what the number meant?

Response by Project Manager

The Project Manager advised that the measurement was 73 was out of 100, and that the figure was reached by applying the Local Environment Audit Management System, a process used by all Scottish Local Authorities to compare and benchmark street cleanliness levels and performance.

Question 5

Jim Osborne asked why there is a target of 0 for social housing new builds in Bute & Cowal?

Response by Housing Strategy Team Lead

The Committee Manager advised that he had received a response from the Housing Strategy Team Lead as follows:

 

I can’t see where in the report it says there is a target of 0.

 

In terms of a couple of positive comments there are currently 4 new build houses under construction by ACHA in central Dunoon due for completion next year. We are actively looking for opportunities to build new build affordable houses in the Dunoon area.

 

Also in the overall Strategic Housing Investment Programme we have 40 units in there for Bute – all Fyne Homes. 10 at Ballochgoy – not on site yet but estimated completion in financial year 2023/24 and 30 at the Rothesay Academy site – not on site but preparatory work is ongoing and once the building starts there is an estimated completion date of 2024/25 for phase 1. There is scope for further units to be delivered on this site in the future.

Question 6

Jim Osborne enquired what is being done to address the causes of stress related absence amongst non-teaching staff in schools and what staff does the LGE category include?

Response by HROD Manager

 

The Committee Manager advised that he had received a response from the HROD Manager as follows:

 

LGE grouping of employees includes employees who are covered by the SJC negotiating committee terms and conditions of service. In practical terms that includes all employees who are not covered by teaching or chief officers conditions of service. The figures reported will therefore include Local Government Employees from all services across the council, and not only Education.

 

With regards to the actions around the causes of stress related absence, I will respond in general terms outlining what the council offer by way of identifying and managing stress in the workforce. Since the question was specifically related to non-teaching LGE staff in schools, the Education management team may be best placed to respond with any additional measures relating to this specific group of employees.

 

The causes of stress related absence in this category are varied and would include for example where an employee is signed off by their GP after a life event such as a bereavement. This category also includes other mental health matters such as depression, anxiety etc.

 

The council have a wellbeing strategy which aims to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee considered the Area Performance Report for Financial Quarter 2 2022/23 (July to September 2022) which illustrated the agreed performance measures.

 

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 is 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 20 October 2022, submitted)

 

 

Presentation by Corporate Support Manager

The Corporate Support Manager provided a short presentation on the Performance Excellence project.  He outlined the findings of the Council’s Best Value Audit which took place in 2020 and highlighted key points from the Best Value Improvement Action Plan.  Mr Green advised that as a result of recommendations agreed by Council in September 2021, a new suite of Corporate Outcome Indicators will be reported on annually and that other improvements to the system were underway.  He outlined the new hierarchy of performance reporting and confirmed that the Pyramid system previously used for performance reporting will be decommissioned by the end of this financial year.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the presentation and information provided.

 

(Reference: Presentation by Corporate Support Manager, dated December 2022, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services and highlighted works being undertaken which were relevant to Bute and Cowal area.

 

Discussion took place in respect of the consultation exercise that was ongoing regarding the passenger-only vessels for the Dunoon to Gourock ferry service.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated November 2022, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Housing

 

Members gave consideration to a report which presented the Argyll and Bute Local Housing Strategy (LHS) Annual Report for 2022.  It was noted that a further report with area specific information would be provided to the Committee at their meeting in March 2023. 

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Housing, dated 10 October 2022, submitted)

 

Report by Chief Executive, Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd

 

 

Consideration was given to a presentation by the Chief Executive of ACHA, which provided an update on a number of areas including the investment programme for 2022/23; the Warm Homes Fund; the Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Whole House Retrofit Programme; the replacement of wet electric heating systems; the Exemplar Estates initiative and a number of new build and refurbishment sites across the locality.  Further information was provided in respect of Welfare Rights; the Rent Consultation for 2023/24; ACHA’s 10 10 10 initiative and ACHA’s Community Action Fund.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the presentation and the information provided.

 

(Reference: Presentation by Chief Executive, Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd, submitted)

 

Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, Health and Social Care Partnership

Having noted that there was no officer in attendance to present this item, the Committee gave consideration to a report which presented the Argyll and Bute HSCP Annual Performance Report for 2021.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the Annual Performance Report for the Health and Social Care Partnership for the year 2021.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, Health and Social Care Partnership, dated November 2022, submitted)

 

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the progress of the Dunoon CARS project and sought the approval of a grant offer to the owners of 104-110 Argyll Street, Dunoon.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee approved the grant offer of up to £236,000 to the 5 property owners of 104-110 Argyll Street, Dunoon.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing information on proposals relating to the ongoing management and proposed distribution arrangements for Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds for which the Bute and Cowal Area Committee are Trustees.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:-

 

1.    noted the financial position of all the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds as of August 2022;

 

2.    agreed that a moratorium be placed on awards being made from the Piano  Fund, Dunoon; and

 

3.    agreed that the accumulated funds for distribution from the Tulloch Library, Dunoon be awarded to Live Argyll in their totality and that a moratorium be placed on awards being made from this fund thereafter.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated November 2022, 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 6 December 2022)

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report which gave Members information regarding three applications that had been received requesting support from the Provost’s Fund (Bute).

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:-

 

1.    agreed to award £100 to each applicant; and

 

2.    agreed that a moratorium be placed on awards being made from the Provost’s Fund (Bute).

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated November 2022, submitted)

Members gave consideration to a report which gave information regarding an application that had been received requesting support from the Marquis of Bute’s Silver Wedding Dowry Fund.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to grant £500 to the applicant.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated November 2022, submitted)