Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

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

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group, held on 7 February 2023 were noted.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum, held on 14 February 2023 were noted.

The Chair ruled, and the Area Committee agreed, to a variation in the order of business. The minute reflects the order in which items were discussed.

Verbal Presentation by Pupil Representatives from Dunoon Grammar School and Rothesay Joint Campus

The Committee gave consideration to a verbal update from Pupils from Dunoon Grammar School and Rothesay Joint Campus who outlined aspects of their learning journeys over the years.

Salma Murray, an S2 student from Dunoon Grammar School spoke of her transition from Primary to Secondary School which was done virtually due to Covid restrictions.

Charlotte Fish, an S3 pupil from Dunoon Grammar School spoke of her School trip to rural Tanzania in which she and 16 other pupils volunteered in the Community. Charlotte highlighted that it was an eye-opening experience, particularly the lack of facilities within the Schools.

S5 School Captains Emma Banks and Adam Smith from Dunoon Grammar School spoke of their experiences within the Senior School and their chosen career pathways.

Holly Reid, an S6 pupil from Rothesay Joint Campus spoke of her experience learning online and independently which she felt had prepared her well for the future.

S5 Pupil Ewan McMillan from Rothesay Joint Campus spoke of his plan to leave school at the end of S5 year and attend College to study to become a Gamekeeper. Ewan further advised that in preparation for this he had undertaken a one week summer placement with a Gamekeeper.

Kitti Carpenter, an S5 student from Rothesay Joint Campus spoke of her transition from Primary to Secondary School and spoke of the Children and Young People Foundation Apprenticeship which she is currently studying and highlighted her interest in continuing to study Childcare in College in the future.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chair took the opportunity to thank the pupils for taking time out of their day to attend and wished them well in their future endeavours.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Verbal Presentation by Pupil representatives from Dunoon Grammar School and Rothesay Joint Campus)

Question from Kirstie Reid, Strachur Community Council

Kirstie Reid, Strachur Community Council submitted the following question, which was read out by the Committee Manager:-

We have been told there are currently 12 people on Argyll & Bute Council's home waiting list whose first choice is Strachur.

Manse Gardens in Strachur is classified as amenity housing and consists of 21 properties. Only 7 of these are currently occupied and the rest have been vacant for the past few years.

The Trust Housing Association, who own Manse Gardens, are investigating the possibility of redeveloping the properties to make them more acceptable to potential tenants.

Does Argyll & Bute Council support the redevelopment of Manse Gardens and, if they do, what are they doing to ensure that this redevelopment goes ahead.

The Committee Manager delivered a response on behalf the Housing Strategy Team Lead as follows:-

The short answer is yes, the Council is supportive of the redevelopment of Manse Gardens to meet identified housing need and demand.

The Council has met with Trust Housing Association (HA) to discuss Manse Gardens and we are meeting with the Scottish Government to discuss funding options. It is not as straightforward as getting Capital Grant from the Scottish Government to build new houses as the project is a reconfiguration of an existing Trust HA asset.

Question from Archie Reid, Strachur Community Council

Archie Reid, Strachur Community Council submitted the following question, which was read out by the Committee Manager:-

As with many Community Councils we at Strachur Community Council are aware of the high number of patients that now receive Care in the Community and are concerned about the lack of care at home staff, we appreciate that this a nationwide issue but wonder what Argyll and Bute Council is doing to encourage people into the area to take this form of work.

The Committee Manager delivered a response on behalf the Health and Social Care Partnership as follows:-

All Care at Home providers are promoting opportunities in social care. Carrgomm, who provide support in this rural area note good responses to recruitment and are actively recruiting by fast tracking applications.

We are actively working with Human Resources and the Economic Development Team targeting opportunities in key areas especially those affected by depopulation.

The Integration Joint Board (IJB) continues to note workforce as a strategic risk, the strategic workforce plan is monitored on a 6 monthly basis with work undertaken reported through the public papers of the IJB.

Question from Hunters Quay Community Council

Hunters Quay Community Council submitted the following question, which was read out by the Committee Manager:-

Ongoing issues with traffic queuing on the main road waiting to board a Western ferry at the Hunters Quay terminal. I understand that there is a bit of a blame situation via the Council and Western Ferries re who pays?

The situation is going to get worse with one of Scotland biggest and now award winning holiday park companies getting bigger and spending millions. Hunters Quay Community Council are concerned about speeding, and want flashing 30mph signs and also queuing traffic signs.

The Project Manager advised that a Traffic Regulation Order was promoted at Hunters Quay separately from the queuing issue and advised that as part of that process a speed and volume survey was undertaken which found vehicle speed level acceptable, adding  that at Council operated ferry sites they ensure that there is no queuing on public road.

Question from Andrew Widdows

Andrew Widdows submitted the following question, which was read out by the Committee Manager:-

Who in the Council and/or local business leaders is responsible and how are they directly benefitting by refusing to allow a budget supermarket in Dunoon during a cost of living crisis while local supermarkets are allowed to increase prices daily and therefore are literally squeezing the life out of the poorest people in our town?"

I would also hereby request that minutes of the meeting are made available to myself and others upon request. I might also add that this question continuously draws a blank from the council and one way or another I will find out the answers to this question and make the results public and publicly embarrass those responsible if it isn't discussed at the meeting.

The Committee Manager assured elected members and members of the Public that the agenda item is Public Question Time and as such all public questions whether submitted in advance or raised at the meeting will always be recorded and added that there has never been an instance nor will there ever be an instance where questions submitted will not be discussed or recorded at the meeting.

The Committee Manager advised that on receiving this question he visited the planning portal and there are no outstanding planning applications regarding this matter. He added that Policy Planners also confirmed that no queries had been received from budget supermarkets coming to Dunoon and colleagues in Economic Development also confirmed that no supermarkets, budget or otherwise had expressed any interest in coming to Dunoon.

Questions from Murray Doyle

I'd like to enquire whether the Serpentine Road, Rothesay, was considered as part of the Capital budget repair program for this year? If not, what was the rationale of leaving it out, I had requested on behalf of local cycling club Bute Wheelers for it be included in this year's repair program? and why would the likes of the road out to Glecknabae be included and Serpentine not? 

I'd also like to enquire about maintenance required to sections of A844, Bute's major A road, that is in very poor condition. I did enquire in an email earlier this year, officers mentioned that these issues would be noted and looked at. Mr Doyle noted that there is a section of road between Meikle Grenach and A844 listed in the capital spend draft, which in his opinion looks to be in very good condition, and wondered if the aforementioned sections of A844 could benefit from this allocated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 3 of 2022/23 (October to December 2022) 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 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 8 February 2023, submitted)

Verbal Update from PS Eddie McGunnigal, Police Scotland

Consideration was given to a roads update by Sergeant Eddie McGunnigal, Police Scotland. Sergeant McGunnigal highlighted that he had asked the Council to undertake speeding surveys, confirming that on receipt of these surveys Police Scotland will target speeding ‘hot spots’. He advised that Police Scotland had received very few speeding complaints from residents, adding that most reports come from Community Councils meetings he attends, he encouraged people to report any speeding so that they can target the area. Sergeant McGunnigal highlighted that Community Speed Watch initiative is being developed and speed signage for wheelie bins has been purchased which the Youth Volunteers will be distributing.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Verbal Update by Sergeant Eddie McGunnigal, Police Scotland)

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.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1.    considered and noted the contents of the report; and

2.    supported the commitment made by the Council Leader during a recent meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee regarding future Member engagement in advance of developing the Roads Reconstruction Capital Programme.

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

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on Housing Services activity and the delivery of the Local Housing Strategy within the Bute and Cowal area.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated January 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 7 March 2023)

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing information regarding two applications that had been received for support from the Lamont Bequest.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to award £100 to the family applicant and £50 to the individual applicant who met the criteria for support from the Lamont Bequest.

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