Agenda and minutes

The Lead Councillor advised the Committee of Councillor Scoullar’s family bereavement. He invited the Committee to record its condolences.

The Chairman ruled, and the Committee agreed, in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2 that the business dealt with at item 10 of this Minute be taken as a matter of urgency by reason of the need for the Area Committee to be informed of the programme prior to it’s implementation.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor I Strong and Councillor L Scoullar.

Councillor R Macintyre declared a non financial interest in part 3.3 of item 7 by reason of being a member of the groups committee and took no part in the discussion of this item.

Councillor B Marshall declared a non financial interest in part 3.8 of item 7 by reason of being a member of the groups committee and took no part in the discussion of this item.

Bute and Cowal Area Committee – 5^th February 2013

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on 5^th February 2013 were approved as a correct record.

Report by IOD Programme Manager

Members heard from the Project Officer on the Area Scorecard with exceptional performance for financial quarter 3 of 2012 -13.

Decision

The Committee noted the exceptional performance presented on the Scorecard and asked that Bute and Cowal data on street lighting be provided and that a report on issues with daylight burning of street lights (relating to cabling issues ) be provided to a future Area Committee to enable Members to prioritise future capital spend. Members asked for better and more accurate recording of dog fouling issues to be put in place. Members further asked that the target in relation to car parking income be revised to a realistic figure, asked that Bute and Cowal data be provided in regards positive destinations for school leavers, and asked that a representative from Adult Care services attend the June Area Committee to give explanations of the red indicators on the scorecard in respect of this service.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Improvement and HR – submitted)

Report by Cruach Mhor and Clachan Flats Windfarm Trusts

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 18^th March 2013 – submitted)

Report by Area Streetscene Manager

Members heard from the Area Streetscene Manager regarding the position of headstone safety in Bute and Cowal and the recommendations that have been put in place to address the situation.

Decision

The Committee noted the information contained in the report and the remedial actions proposed.  It was further suggested that local Wind Farm Trusts could perhaps address some of the issues in rural cemeteries as part of their support for the wider community.

(Reference: Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated April 2013 – submitted)

Report by Senior Officer, Community Regeneration

Councillor R Macintyre, having declared a non financial interest in the Bute Agricultural Society, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of that item.

Councillor B Marshall, having declared a non financial interest in the Dunoon Burgh Hall Project, 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

Decision

1. The Committee determined the Third Sector Grants as follows:-

2. The Committee further agreed that the Third Sector Grant funding agreed in the financial period 2012/13 to be spent on the purchase of blouses for the Cowal Choral Club could be put towards the purchase of costumes for the organisation.

(Reference: Report by the Community Development Manager dated 21^st March 2013 and 27^th March 2013 – submitted)

Report by Local Biodiversity Officer

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

Decision

The Committee agreed Councillor B Marshall will sit on the Holy Loch Local Nature Reserve Steering Group to ensure that the due process is followed.

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

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services – (to follow)

Members heard from the Roads Performance Manager on the estimated costs to three different treatment proposals of the unadopted Kames High Road.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee recommend that the Council exercises its permissive power under Section 14 of the Roads Scotland Act (1984) to progress Option 1 as detailed in the submitted report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, to improve in partnership with the community, the Kames High Road, and notes that £200,000 was identified in the 2012/13 budget for this type of work.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated March 2013 - tabled)

Members heard from the Roads Performance Manager on the Capital Roads Reconstruction Programme for 2012 - 2015.

Decision

The Committee noted the information contained in the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, and further noted that a report outlining  proposals for the additional capital funding for roads which was agreed at the March Council meeting would be submitted to the Bute and Cowal May Business meeting.

(Reference:  Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Service dated 28^th March 2013 – submitted and tabled)

Colin Cameron asked about the new bollards on the A815 and was advised they were part of the Road Accident Reduction Plan which is a national policy for accident reduction on high speed roads.

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 and 9 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

Members heard from the Area Streetscene Manager on the history over the last 12 years regarding the Dunoon 5-a-side pitch.

Decision

The Committee agreed that a detailed report would be submitted to the May Business Day to include the issues contained in the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services along with what the charges are for the facility and the level of usage and who pays for the floodlighting.  If this information is not provided for May the matter will be referred to Internal Audit.

(Reference:  Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Service dated March 2013 – submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

Members heard from the Estates Surveyor on the request received from Rothesay Playgroup to extend their current lease for a further 10 years.

Decision

The Committee agreed to the recommendations contained in the report by the Executive Director of Customer Services.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 13^th March 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.