Agenda and minutes

None

None

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the new Area Committee and outlined his aspirations for effective partnership working for the benefit of the area.

The Chairman requested, and the Committee agreed, that Agenda Item 7(a), Gourock – Dunoon Ferry Service, be taken as the first item of business, to facilitate conflicting diary demands of the Director of Development Services.

The Area Committee heard from the Director of Development Services on the future provision of ferry services between Gourock and Dunoon.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed:-

i.                     To note the detail of the report with the change of “vessel” to “vessels” on point 3.4.3 of the report.

ii.                   Recommend to the Council Executive Committee that the future provision of ferry services between Gourock and Dunoon be progressed strategically as a matter of urgency by the Council Leader, Transportation Spokesperson and Bute and Cowal Area Chair, in accordance with the agreed way forward as discussed at the joint meeting held on 23^rd February in Edinburgh.

(Reference: Report by the Area Corporate Services Manager dated 18^th May 2007 – submitted)

The Area Committee minute of 11^th April 2007 as approved as a correct record.

The Area Corporate Services Manager outlined the proposed cycle of meetings for the Bute and Cowal Area Committee.

Decision

The Committee agree to the outlined cycle of Area Committee Meetings.

(Reference: Report by the Area Corporate Services Manager dated 23^rd May 2007 – submitted)

The Area Committee heard from the Area Corporate Services Manager on appointments to local bodies/organisations within the Bute and Cowal Area.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed the following:-

The Area Committee further agreed the following appointments:-

Chair, Cowal Community Safety Forum – Councillor B Marshall

Chair, Bute Community Safety Forum – Councillor L Scoullar

Ardenslate, West Milton and the Glebe Area Development Group – All Dunoon and Cowal Members to attend on a rota basis.

Bute Area Development Group – All Bute Members to attend on a rota basis.

The Chairs of the Area Development Groups have to be decided by those groups at the first meeting.

The Area Committee heard from the Area Roads and Amenity Services Manager on the Strategy for provision of play areas managed by Argyll and Bute Council.

Decision

The Committee agreed to recommend to the Council Executive that they look into a policy and procedure to enable Community run play areas improved access to inspection and insurance regimes.

(Reference: Report by the Director of Operational Services dated 19 April 2007 – submitted)

The Area Committee heard from the Area Roads and Amenity Services Manager regarding the request from the Council that the Area Committee consider how to develop a policy approach on refuse collection on private roads.

Decision

The Members agreed to recommend to the Council Executive that the following should be included in future policy on this matter.

i.                     Ownership of roads should be established.

ii.                   Owners should carry out repairs where appropriate

iii.                  Guidelines should be issued to staff, and they should be fully trained and briefed on working in areas of restricted access, uneven surface etc.

iv.                 Processes should be put in place to mitigate risk.

v.                   It should be standard policy to avoid the removal of service where at all possible.

(Reference: Report by the Area Roads and Amenity Services Manager dated June 2007 – submitted)

The Area Committee heard from the Area Roads and Amenity Services Manager regarding the situation surrounding the servicing of refuse collections on private roads in Cowal.

Decision

The Area Committee noted the progress and current situation.

(Reference: Report by the Area Roads and Amenity Services Manager dated June 2007 – submitted)

The Area Committee heard from the Area Roads and Amenity Services Manager on the issue of unsafe headstones in Bute and Cowal cemeteries.  The Committee requested that Members be kept fully informed on a proactive basis of any operations which could be of a controversial nature or could raise expense to the Council.

Decision

The Members noted the detail of the current situation and agreed that the priority was to keep stones in a safe condition.  They further noted that new procedures regarding supervision of stone erection should reduce the likelihood of such problems in the future.  Concern was expressed about the poor levels of communication which had been demonstrated in relation to this sensitive issue Members further noted that:-

1.      Operational Services will ensure the issue of working in cemeteries and the re-erection process is treated with consideration & compassion, and that appropriate press releases are continued to be made to advise the public.

2          The £100,000 additional funding made available for 2007/08 will be treated as priority spend.

3          A fuller report is being submitted to the Council Executive on 13^th June in which a recommendation is that reports be taken to the four Area Committees advising on the reinstatement plans in their areas to their meetings in July. This report, pre-dating the Executive meeting, provides the Bute and Cowal Members of the current situation and include greater detail on the Council’s Management Rules and contact arrangements for family members.

(Reference: Report by the Area Roads and Amenity Services Manager dated June 2007 – submitted)

The Committee were asked a question from Mr McInnes on the address of the owner of Crochan Road, and was advised that the Area Roads & Amenity Services Manager would provide him with this information.

Mr Moonan spoke on the Gourock/Dunoon Ferry Services, the Chairman requested that he submit his information in writing to the Chair.

Mr Thompson asked about an update on the Milton Burn and was informed that it was a planning item further on in the agenda.

Ann Gabriel asked a question on the future of Community Councils and was given information from the Area Corporate Services Manager.

Decision

The application be approved subject to the conditions contained in the report by the Head of Planning Services.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Planning Services dated 29^th March 2007 – submitted)

Decision

The application be approved subject to the conditions contained in the report by the Head of Planning Services.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Planning Services dated 11 May 2007 – submitted)

Decision

The application be approved subject to the conditions contained in the report by the Head of Planning Services.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Planning Services dated 29^th March 2007 – submitted)

Decision

A PAN 41 Hearing is to be held on 18^th June 2007 at 2pm to consider this application.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Planning Services dated 29^th May 2007 – submitted)

It was agreed that this item would be heard next on the agenda as Councillor Walsh had an appointment and would need to leave the meeting.

Decision

The Committee agreed to the non-material amendments to Planning Permission 06/00749/DET.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Planning Services dated 30^th May 2007 – submitted)

Councillor Walsh intimated his apologies and left the meeting at this stage.

Decision

The application be approved subject to the conditions contained in the report by the Head of Planning Services.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Planning Services dated 29^th May 2007 – submitted)

Decision

The Committee noted the report on planning appeals and agreed that the Area Team Leader would notify Members of any subsequent appeal decisions through the email system.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Planning Services dated 24^th May 2007 – submitted)

Decision

The Committee agreed to the amending of the Section 50 Agreement to release the site of “Boorach Beg” from its obligations.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Planning Services dated 23rd May 2007 – submitted)

Decision

The Committee agreed that the Section 50 Agreement be discharged.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Planning Services dated 23rd May 2007 – submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 and 13 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Committee heard from the Area Corporate Services Manager on the Rothesay & District Pipe Band.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report and agreed to point 4.1 of the report by the Director of Corporate Services.

(Reference: Report by the Director of Corporate Services dated 21^st May 2007 – submitted)

Decision

The Committee agreed enforcement reports as follows:_

05/00016/ENFOTH – noted

07/00098/ENFOCC – no further action.