Agenda and minutes

The Chair opened the meeting and then adjourned until 10.20 to allow for Councillor Walsh to arrive and attend the meting.

The Chair referred to the sad passing of Councillor Alister MacAlister who died after a long illness.  Members observed a minute’s silence in tribute to his life and work as a Councillor.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of the following:-

Councillor J McQueen

Councillor R Simon

Chief Inspector A Mosley

Councillor Marshall declared a non financial interest in items 5 (b) and 6 (a) by reason of being a member of the groups committees and took no part in the discussion of these items.

Councillor McNaughton declared a non financial interest in items 5 (b) and 6 (a) by reason of being a member of the groups committees and took no part in the discussion of these items.

The Minutes of the Meeting of 7^th February 2012 were approved as a correct record.

Members heard a verbal update from the Principal Engineer on the Milton Burn Flood Prevention Scheme.

Decision

The Committee noted the detail provided.

Members heard from the Geographic Information Systems Manager on the Street Naming and Numbering, Shore Road, Innellan.

Decision

The Committee:-  

i.                                Agreed the addresses listed at Appendix 2 are adopted as the official addresses for properties on Shore Road and the adjacent lanes.

ii.                              Thanked the Geographic Information Systems Manager for all his work.

(Reference: Report by the Geographic Information Systems Manager dated 9^th March 2012 – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Governance Manager on the proposed Local Nature Reserve at Broxwood Hide, Sandbank by Dunoon.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

i.                             To amend the report to say Bute & Cowal on the second line of the summary.

ii.                            To support the declaration process in principle with a view to considering the details when they become available.

iii.                          To consult with Scottish Water regarding their land at the location and bring a report back to the Bute & Cowal Business Day.

(Reference: Report by the Local Biodiversity Officer  – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Governance Manager on the proposal for Primary School Reporting and the achievement reports for St Andrew’s Primary School and St Mun’s Primary School.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

i.                     To approve the proposal for primary school reporting as being the appropriate mechanism for the reporting of the achievements of primary schools.

ii.                   To note the excellent work being undertaken in local primary schools, and commended the pupils and staff for these outstanding achievements.

(Reference: Report by the Quality Standards Manager – submitted)

Councillor B Marshall, having declared a non financial interest in the Dunoon Burgh Hall Project and Crossroads, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of that item.

Councillor A McNaughton, having declared a non financial interest in the Colintraive Village Hall Management Committee, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of that item.

The Community Development Officer spoke on the recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants and the Committee considered and determined the Third Sector Grants as follows:-

 (Reference: Report by the Community Development Manager – submitted)

Councillors B Marshall & A McNaughton, having declared a non financial interest in this item, took no part in the discussion of these reports.

Members heard from the Area Governance Manager on the work of both the Cruach Mhor and Clachan Flats Wind Farm Trusts.

Decision

The Committee noted the details provided on this matter.

(Reference: Report by the Area Governance Manager dated 27^th March 2012 – submitted)

Members heard from the Area Governance Manager on how the Area Committee can support the celebrations for The Big Lunch event for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

i.                     The initiative is dealt with in the same manner as other events to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by disseminating this information to promote within their local communities.

ii.                   That paperwork is circulated to the relevant services to ensure that support for the event is provided where possible.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director, Customer Services dated 4^th April 2012 – submitted)

Inspector Anderson advised as from 1^st April 2013 there will be no Strathclyde Police but will be the National Police Force of Scotland.

Inspector Anderson further advised the Police are planning for the Bute Highland Games & Cowal Gathering.  Easter is always a busy time and they have a road policing initiative running at the moment.  Inspector Anderson also spoke on the Olympic Games saying the Police will be assisting at Glasgow events.

Councillor Strong asked about the Traffic Lights at the Pier and the Executive Director of Development & Infrastructure Services said he would investigate this.

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public for the following items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 9 & 12 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Members heard an update from the Legal Services Manager on the sale of land at Dunclutha, Dunoon.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by the Legal Services Manager – submitted)

Members heard from the Executive Director, Development & Infrastructure Services on the matters relating to Argyll Workboats vessel, Seahorse II.

Decision

The Committee:-

i.                     Noted the information provided

ii.                   Endorsed the Rothesay Harbour Authority’s Notice for Mariners.

(Reference:  Report by the Marine Manager – submitted)

The Chair made mention of this being the last meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee in the term of the current Council.

The Chair thanked the Officers and the other Members of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee for their support, hardwork, and co-operation over the last 5 years and wished members good luck in the forthcoming elections .