Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Reeni Kennedy-Boyle and Yvonne McNeilly.

Councillor William Sinclair declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 5 (ACHA Update) due to being the Council’s appointee on the ACHA Board. Having reviewed the content of the presentation, he did not feel that there was any substantive decision being taken and therefore advised that he would remain in the meeting during the consideration of this item of business.

The Minute of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee, held on 4 March 2025 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group, held on 6 May 2025 was noted.

The Minute of the Meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum, held on 9 May 2025 was noted.

The Committee Manager advised that there had been a question submitted by a member of the public in advance of the meeting, and details of the question was provided to the Committee.

 

Question – David Eaglesham, Colintraive

 

The view expressed by Colintraive & Glendaruel Community Council that the Friday evening stage on the B836 Old Coast Rad should only go ahead if the road is fully repaired, it is the majority opinion of residents along this road that the Rally is a nuisance and an affront to their reasonable enjoyment of their properties by being denied access for some 7 hours.

 

I believe that residents on the "West Glen" road are similarly minded and there is considerable opposition to the B8000 Otter Ferry & Kilfinan stages

 

What is the point of democracy if both Argyll & Bute Council and Colintraive & Glendaruel Community Council ignore the views of residents?

 

It is little wonder that so few people can be bothered to attend Community Council meetings.

 

Hugh O’Neill advised the Committee that the Council were duty bound to look at all events and that he had attended several Community Council meetings and rally organisers meetings regarding the logistics around this event. Three out of the four Community Councils gave their full support with Colintraive and Glendaruel partial support to the event. Mr O’Neill highlighted that the rally organisers had done a lot of work with local communities to address some of the issues and that the Council felt they could not reject the application for the rally.

 

The Chair advised that an Area Committee Business Day has not yet been organised to discuss the Argyll Rally because dialogue had been continuing with

the Argyll Rally organisers, the Roads Authority and Community Councils, complementary to discussions that the Area Committee were having. The Chair further advised that the Council administration are keen to review the role of Area Committees in respect of delegated responsibilities, specifically that localised issues, such as the Argyll Rally are determined at area level.

 

Having noted that there were members of the public in attendance, the Chair invited them to submit any questions they may have.

 

Question 1 -  Jean Moffat, Bute Community Council

 

The pavement parking on Battery Place in Rothesay has now been banned. There is only one side now for parking which is not sufficient for all the houses on this road and that this could be resolved by placing an exception at this locality.

 

Mark Calder advised that all pavement parking is now illegal and the Council were now getting feedback on instances which will help inform future arrangements.

Hugh O’Neill added that the feedback from members of the public will be investigated and that exceptions may be introduced in the future and that these would be reviewed on a case by case basis ensuring that vulnerable members of the public are protected.

 

Question 2 - Jean Moffat, Bute Community Council

 

Mrs Moffat advised that repeated attempts had been made to get information from the Integration Joint Board (IJB) in regards to the extra 6 beds that had been promised at Thomson Court, Rothesay and asked when will people receive answers to their questions on this matter?

 

Councillor Ross Moreland responded that he appreciated that this is a very difficult situation and that it was his understanding that all questions would be answered by the IJB and that if this has not already happened that he would seek clarity and respond in due course.

 

Question 3 - Jean Moffat, Bute Community Council

 

Mrs Moffat asked where the promised investment of £980k at Thomson Court, Rothesay is?

 

Councillor Ross Moreland responded that he did not have that information to hand and that he would seek clarity on this following the meeting and will respond.

 

Question 4 - Jean Moffat, Bute Community Council

 

Mrs Moffat asked when the tender was raised for the extra 6 beds at Thomson Court, Rothesay? Adding that, it would appear that a commitment was given to introduce the extra 6 beds without a full cost analysis being undertaken.

 

Councillor Ross Moreland responded that this would be an operational matter but he would pass all pertinent financial information to Mrs Moffat following the meeting.

 

Councillor Liz McCabe advised that Councillor Amanda Hampsey may have more information on this.

 

Question – Jan Harwood

 

There was around 130 letters delivered to the Health and Social Care Partnership meeting on 28 May raising concerns around the lack of progress made regarding the delivery of an extra 6 beds at Thomson Court, Rothesay, can you tell me when we can expect to receive responses to these?

 

Councillor Ross Moreland advised that he would investigate the status of the responses. The Chair of the Committee further advised that he would also raise this with the Policy Lead for Care Services, Councillor Dougie McFadzean.

Presentation by Chief Executive, Argyll Community Housing Association

The Committee gave consideration to the Argyll Community Housing Association 2024/25 Update which illustrated what they have achieved in 2024-25 including anti-social behaviour resolutions; repairs and new tenancies; the sheltered housing/factoring review and adaptations. Updates were also provided on performance benchmarking against the Scottish average and on the redevelopment projects at High Street/Russell Street and Ferfadd Court, Rothesay and Finbracken, Sandbank together with future plans.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) update as presented.

 

(Reference: Report by Michelle Mundie, ACHA, dated 3 June 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Brendan Docherty, Education Manager and David Mitchell, Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School, who picked out some highlights from the school report. The report included information in relation to S3 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy, National Qualifications and Insight data. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 3 June 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Brendan Docherty, Education Manager and Dale Somerville, Depute Head Teacher of Rothesay Academy, who picked out some highlights from the school report.  The report included information in relation to S3 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy, National Qualifications and Insight data. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 3 June 2025, submitted)

 

The Chair ruled and Members agreed to alter the order of business of the agenda, the items are recorded as they were considered.

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 approved the amendments made to the initial feasibility and concept design reports for the Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project.

 

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

Report by Senior Manager, Performance and Improvement, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

Consideration was given to the Health and Social Care Partnership Performance Reports for financial quarter 3 of 2024/25 (October – December). Charlotte Craig also provided the Committee with an update on Thomson Court and Struan Lodge.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:-

 

1.    acknowledged performance for FQ3 2024/25 (October - December);

 

2.    acknowledged performance update on the National Health & Wellbeing Outcomes and Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators, as at Appendix 1; and

 

3.    noted Delayed Discharge Sitrep as of 06 January 2025, as at Appendix 2.

 

(Reference: Report by Senior Manager, Performance and Improvement, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 4 of 2024/25 (January to March 2025) 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 8 May 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

A report providing an update 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 information.

 

Decision

 

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

 

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

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

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Bute and Cowal Area Committee workplan, dated 3 June 2025)