Agenda and minutes

Councillor R Macintyre and Councillor I Strong intimated their apologies for late attendance due to the weather conditions and would join the meeting as soon as possible.

The Chair indicated receipt of an urgent motion in relation to a Change to School Holidays and In-service Days for Bute.  In terms of Standing Order 16.1 no motion which seeks to alter or revoke a decision of the Council or has that effect will be considered within a period of 6 months of the original decision.  In terms of Standing Order 16.2 it would be competent to review a decision before the end of the 6 months period, provided that the Chair was satisfied that a material change of circumstances had occurred.

The Chair ruled that he was satisfied that a material change or circumstance had occurred.

Motion

The Bute Agricultural show is a valuable asset to the wider local community and is of substantial benefit to the Pupils of the schools located on Bute who attend the show and exhibit work and livestock at this event.

In order to facilitate pupil’s attendance at the event on 14^th August 2013 it is proposed to re-designate this date as a Teachers “in service” day by exchanging it with the “in service day” on 14 November 2013.

Schools on Bute would therefore reopen to pupils on 15th August 2013 and would close on 14th November rather than the 13th.

The Chairman ruled that the motion be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of giving parents, pupils and staff sufficient notice.

The Committee agreed to consider the motion and this is deal with at item 10 of these Minutes.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Bute and Cowal Area Committee - 4th December 2012

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on 4^th December 2012 were approved as a correct record.

Report by the Independent Chair of the Argyll and Bute Adult Protection Committee

The Committee considered a report by the Independent Chair of the Argyll and Bute Adult Protection Committee on the Adult Protection Biennial Report.

Decision

Noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Independent Chair of the Argyll and Bute Adult Protection Committee, submitted)

Verbal report by GIS Manager

Councillors R Macintyre and I Strong apologised for being late and joined the meeting at this stage.  Councillor R Macintyre then took over the Chair.

The Committee heard from the GIS Manager on the updating of postcodes and postal addressed by emergency services.

Decision

The Committee –

1. Noted the contents of the report.

2. Agreed the GIS Manager would pursue a range of options which would include discussions of three problems with postcodes with a senior officer of Royal Mail and bring a report back to the June Area Committee.

Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which advised of the recently published Ferries Plan and how it impinged on the Bute and Cowal area.

Decision

The Committee –

1. Noted the contents of the report

2. Noted that a further report will be presented to the Council in March which will set out the Council’s proposed position with regard to the Ferries Plan and associated actions.

3. Agreed the Area Committee would represent in the strongest terms to the Council to seek an urgent meeting with Government colleagues to rectify the unacceptable service provision to Bute and Cowal.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 18^th January 2012, submitted)

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

The Committee considered a report on the options towards the completion of the footway connection between Hunters Quay and Sandbank on A815.

Decision

Noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services, Development and Infrastructure dated 14^th January 2013, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee considered a report for the appointment of a Children’s Champion in Bute and Cowal.

Decision

Agreed that Councillor Bruce Marshall would be the Children’s Champion in Bute and Cowal.

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Community Services dated 26^th November 2012, submitted)

In terms of Standing Order 14 the following Notice of Motion had been received for consideration as a matter of urgency at this meeting.

Change to School Holidays and In-service Days for Bute

Motion

The Bute Agricultural show is a valuable asset to the wider local community and is of substantial benefit to the Pupils of the schools located on Bute who attend the show and exhibit work and livestock at this event.

In order to facilitate pupil’s attendance at the event on 14^th August 2013 it is proposed to re-designate this date as a Teachers “in service” day by exchanging it with the “in service day” on 14 November 2013.

Schools on Bute would therefore reopen to pupils on 15th August 2013 and would close on 14th November rather than the 13th.

Moved by Councillor L Scoullar, seconded by Councillor I Strong.

Decision

Agreed to re-designate the 14^th August as a Teachers “in-service” day by exchanging it with the “in service day” on 14 November 2013 and that schools on Bute would reopen to pupils on 15th August 2013 and would close on 14th November rather than the 13th.

Members of the public asked a number of questions on the Adult Protection Biennial Report. In relation to concerns raised in relation to cuts in the budget and the potential for people to fall through the cracks and not get help Mr Brackenridge advised that with the new Adult Support Legislation more people are being picked up than previously.  On being asked if people know where to get the help Mr Brackenridge advised that many people go to Social Work the Police or their GP and they are referred through them.  Mr Brackenridge advised the he did not know why there was a difference in the urban/rural community and that there are the same amount of referrals across the age groups.

In relation to the Ferries Review Mr Barr advised that in his opinion the proposed Pontoons at Dunoon would only make things worse.  Mr Smith asked if the Members agreed that the change in the ferry service was a contributing factor to the Pipe Band Association withdrawing the championships, Mrs Woodward asked if Members felt the change in ferry service was also contributing to unemployment figures. Councillor Marshall agreed with the points made.  Councillor Strong advised that Argyll and Bute have 15 of the most deprived areas in Scotland and that unemployment was a major concern. Councillor Walsh agreed that it was an important issue and was aware of concerns about people leaving the area. 

Mrs Armstrong asked if the Council would be interested in a Social Enterprise Company running Struan Lodge.  The Executive Director of Community Services outlined the position in respect of a staff bid and advised that an Enterprise Company would require to be registered with the Care Commission.

There followed a lengthy discussion in relation to Struan Lodge which included, staff wages, running costs, the standard of care between Private Care Homes and Struan Lodge, the grading awarded  by the Care Commission, the quality of care and moving of the residents. 

The terms of a motion were intimated by Councillor Walsh however this was ruled by the Chair as not being competent in terms of standing order 14.1.

The Committee agreed to advise the Council that the topic of the proposed closure of Struan Lodge was discussed during questions from the public at the Bute and Cowal Area Committee.  There was broad concern expressed at this proposal and it was agreed to convey their concerns to the full Council meeting on 14^th February 2013.  It was also recommended that the Council should look at reducing unit costs as a means of averting closure.

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50A(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 Paragraphs 6 & 9 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Head Planning and Regulatory Services

The Committee considered a report on the current status of the Royal Hotel building in Rothesay.

Decision

The Committee -

1. Noted the contents of the report.

2. Agreed to option 1 of the SMT report.

(Ref: Report by the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, submitted)

Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services

The Committee considered a report on the options appraisal in respect of the proposed demolition of the former Holy Loch Community Centre, Sandbank.

Decision

Agreed a further report would come to the March Business Day.

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 16^th February 2013, submitted)

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

E2       Paragraph 9  Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.