Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle declared a financial interest in relation to items 9 & 10 (2024-25 Active Travel Progress Report) and (Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project Updated Reports) due to her occupation as General Manager of Fyne Futures which is a subsidiary of Fyne Homes, Councillor Kennedy-Boyle added that Fyne Futures has been engaged in delivering projects associated with active travel on the Isle of Bute and that even though Fyne Futures have not been in receipt of any funding through Argyll and Bute Council recently, they may consider applying for funding in the future and as such she would leave the meeting and take no part in the consideration of these items.

The Minute of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee, held on 3 December 2024 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum, held on 29 January 2025 was noted.

The Minute of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group, held on 4 February 2025 was noted.

The Committee Manager advised that there had been questions submitted by members of the public in advance of the meeting, and details of these questions were provided to the Committee.

 

Question - Save Cowal's Hills

 

Are the Committee concerned about the recently proposed Windfarm (by E-Power) on Black Craig, for 13 'monster' turbines, each 656ft high? (named Inverchaolain Windfarm)?

 

And do they realise that a similar application (for much smaller turbines) was refused at a PLI held in Colintraive in 2009, due to 'unacceptable visual impact', this referring to the views north from Rothesay and North Bute?

 

The Chair advised that he is content with the established planning process and that the Council will take part in this scooping exercise as and when it is appropriate.

 

Councillor Sinclair noted his frustration that Section 36 applications for planning permission, such as Inverchaolain Windfarm, largely by-passes elected members and the number of Windfarms in, and planned, is placing huge pressure on the locality.

 

Councillor McNeilly acknowledged the importance of the planning process and that it must be beyond reproach.

 

Question – Alison Ireland – Dunoon Library

 

Why was there no consultation with the community?

Why were the staff told a few days before the event?

Why change an area which was designed as a library and is so much more? Computer space, desk space, children’s area, warm space and so much more.

If indeed it becomes a performance area then the area already designated for that purpose will be underused.

Surely we should be encouraging use rather than dumbing down. We could be proud of that beautiful setting.

 

The Chair referred to correspondence received from the Live Argyll Library Team, advising that:

 

We are writing to address some inaccuracies circulating on social media and provide clarity on the status and future plans for Dunoon Library. 

 

First and foremost, Dunoon Library is not closing. It is being relocated within the Queen’s Hall as part of a repurposing exercise to ensure that the available space is used to its full potential. Despite the misinformation, the live book stock will remain intact. However, obsolete or dead stock, i.e., books that have not been issued for several years—some exceeding 10 years—will be removed.

 

Live Argyll, as a charity, must ensure that all spaces and facilities are used efficiently. As part of the relocation, a dedicated adult library will be created on the ground floor, along with a separate Children’s area. All current library services will remain fully operational with access being extended with longer opening hours.

 

Contrary to the many inaccuracies on social media, the current library space will not be converted into a bar. Instead, it will have multi-purpose functionality, including small conferencing, meeting space, event space, studio space, and more, all available to the community.

 

Lastly, it is important to note that live Argyll has a cost base of £7.5 million and is only partly funded by Argyll and Bute Council. The significant majority of costs are covered through income generation. For services to remain in their current form, live Argyll must ensure that all venues are used to their maximum potential. Income generation is crucial as it allows the funding of all leisure, Library, Active Schools, and Community Learning services. There is no profit or shareholders; every penny is reinvested into services.

 

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

 

Councillor Sinclair advised that as a member of the Live Argyll Board that they are tasked with making difficult decisions to ensure that services meet the expectations of customers.

 

Councillor Daniel Hampsey added that he had been approached by constituents around the legality of the decision made by Live Argyll and that he had received confirmation from the Councils Legal Department that the decision was competent. Councillor Hampsey further advised that he had been assured that the books identified for removal would not be binned and would remain available to customers on request.

 

The Chair invited those attending to submit any questions they had.

 

Catriona Renfrew

 

Catriona Renfrew advised that she was concerned that residents had received promotional material for the Argyll Rally for 2025 even though, to the best of their knowledge, no approval had been given for this event. Miss Renfrew asked:

 

How will the decision be made regarding the planned Argyll Rally?

 

What role will affected communities have in this decision making process?

 

The Chair advised that he has been liaising with the Officers around various aspects of the proposed Argyll Rally, including the Economic Impact Assessment and the approval process and that he will contact Miss Renfrew with further details in due course.

 

The Project Manager clarified that the Economic Impact Assessment would be undertaken using the methodology that is supported by the Scottish Government and that the Council would ensure that adequate consultation had been undertaken as required by legislation. Mr Calder further advised that any promotional material circulated on behalf of the Rally was done so by the organisers and that this was out with the control of the Council.

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to hold a Business Day to discuss the planned Argyll Rally and that Council Officers, and Rally Organisers and community representatives be invited to attend.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 3 of 2024/25 (October to December 2024) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the performance and supporting commentary as presented.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 11 February 2025, 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 noted the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated February 2025, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report and a presentation which provided a range of key information about primary school provision in the Bute and Cowal area during the school session June 2024 to January 2025 and reported the national collection of attainment and achievement data from June 2024.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated February 2025, 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 2025, submitted)

Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle, having declared an interest in relation to the following two items of business, left the meeting and took no part in the consideration of these items.

 

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress made in 2024/25 in relation to active travel projects in the Bute and Cowal area, and sought continued support for the projects from Members.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to:

 

1.    Welcome the progress made to date across a significant number of active travel projects by the small Active Travel Team.

 

2.    Support the continuation of the projects and the submission of future funding applications to external challenge funds to continue to develop design and construction stages in order to deliver these projects.

 

3.    Support the allocation of the Tier 1 active travel funding element in the Council’s 25/26 block grant to the development and delivery of appropriate active travel projects, including those already underway in Bute and Cowal.

 

4.    Instruct Officers to continue to identify and develop new active travel projects to benefit local residents, businesses and communities.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 3 February 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth  

Consideration was given to a report updating members on the changes made to the Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project initial feasibility and concept design reports.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to continue consideration of this report to the June meeting to allow Officers to reflect on comments made during the meeting, specifically in terms of car parking and loading and servicing provision.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated February 2025, submitted)

Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle re-joined the meeting at this point.

 

 

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 13 March 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

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

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated February 2025, submitted)

E1 Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).