Agenda and minutes

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

Douglas Hendry, Executive Director of Customer Services

Jayne Lawrence-Winch, Area Manager – Adult Care

Jackie Connelly, Performance Improvement Officer

Councillor G Blair declared a non-financial interest in Cowal Fiddle Workshop at item 11 by reason of being a member of the group. He remained in the room but took no part in the discussion of this item.

The Chair welcomed the Provost’s return

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on 4th June 2013 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Special Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on 25th June 2013 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Rothesay CHORD Project Board held on 1st July 2013 were noted.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Cowal Community Safety Forum held on the 28th June 2013 were noted.

The Minutes of the Meeting of Bute Community Safety Forum held on 25^th June 2013 were noted.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum held on the 21^st June 2013 were noted.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Dunoon CHORD Project Board held on the 24^th May 2013 were noted.

Report by Principal of Campus

Members heard from Wendy Brownlie, Principal of Campus, on the recent Education Scotland Inspection Report of Rothesay Joint Campus.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by the Principal of Rothesay Joint Campus dated 23 July 2013 – submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Community Services

The Members heard from the Project Officer about the proposed approach and methodology for engaging in consultation with the public in respect of the shortlist of options for the improved Dunoon area primary schools.

Decision

The Committee:-

               I.      Agreed the proposed process for engaging in consultation with the public in respect of the shortlisted options for the improved Dunoon Area Primary Schools in compliance with the delegation to the Executive Director of Community Services in consultation with the lead Councillor for Education and Life Long Learning and Local Members; and

             II.      Agreed to have a discussion on the condition of the old Rothesay Academy building at the September Business Day.

(Reference:- report by Executive Director of Community Services dated 6 August 2013 – submitted).

Report by Contracts Manager

A report following on from the March Business Day setting out the reduction in roads maintenance revenue activities to be delivered in 2013/14 and 2014/15 as a result of a reduced revenue budget provision, was considered.

The report details the current level of expenditure of the roads operations revenue budget.

Decision

The Committee:-

               I.      Noted the report; and

             II.      Agreed that the Head of Roads and Amenity Services bring a further report to the September Business Day with updated figures and to include street lighting.

(Reference:- Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 29 July 2013 – submitted).

Report by Contracts Manager

Members heard from Stuart Clark, Contracts Manager on the options for funding the completion of the footway connection between Hunters Quay and Sandbank on the A815 and to the update on the progress made since the previous report to the Area Committee in February.

Decision

The Committee:-

               I.      Noted the report; and

             II.      Agreed to bring a further updated report back to the October Area Committee.

(Reference:- Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 29 July 2013 – submitted).

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

A report proposing a draft service delivery model for 2014/15 which has been developed following member workshops previously held was considered.

The report proposes a draft area model and also proposes that a stakeholder workshop event be held.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed that because of the severe impact of the proposed cuts on local environments and townscapes across Bute and Cowal, and the overall small budget savings which would result, no action be taken on this matter at this time. The Committee further requested that discussions take place within the Department with a view to identifying alternatives which would mitigate the anticipated severe impact, and that the council be asked to consider those alternatives as a matter of urgency.

(Reference:- Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 6 August 2013 – submitted).

Councillor Bruce Marshall left the meeting.

Councillor Robert Macintyre left the meeting and Councillor Gordon Blair took the Chair.

Report by Streetscene Area Manager

A report providing further details to the Committee with regards to options for operating the 5 a-side all weather pitches at Dunoon Stadium was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

               I.      Noted the contents of the report; and

             II.      Agreed to bring a draft business plan detailing further development on the project to the October Area Committee.

(Reference: - Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 31 July 2013 – submitted).

Councillor Robert Macintyre returned to the meeting and took the Chair.

Councillor Alex McNaughton left the meeting.

Report by IOD Programme Manager

Members heard from the Improvement and Organisational Development Programme Manager on the Area Scorecard with exceptional performance for FQ 1 2013/14.

Decision

The Committee:-

               I.      Noted the exceptional performance presented on the scorecard and agreed that a further report come to the September Business Day; and

             II.      Agreed to hold a Special Area Committee in early September on Adult Care to highlight issues raised in the scorecard.

(Reference:- Report by the Improvement and Organisational Development Programme Manager dated 6 August 2013 – submitted).

Report by Social Economy Development Officer

Members heard from the Community Development Officer regarding recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants and informed the Members there was a balance of the allocated budget left over.

Decision

The Committee:-

               I.      Noted the contents of the report;

             II.      Agreed to award all applicants; and

            III.      Agreed to a third round of grants to utilise the remainder of the budget.

(Reference: Report by the Community Development Officer dated 15 July 2013 – submitted).

Report by Community Development Officer

A report was presented by the Community Development Officer detailing how the Third Sector Grant funding was spent in 2012/13.  Not all organisations have submitted the end of project monitoring reports.

Decision

The Committee:-

                 I.      Noted the report and asked that the Community Development Officer update Members directly by email when any further monitoring reports are received.

 (Reference: Report by Community Development Officer dated 17 June 2013 – submitted).

Report by Area Governance Manager

A report updating Members on the arrangements which are in place for telephone call handling in Police Scotland was outlined by the Area Governance Manager.

Decision

The Members noted the report and complimented the success of the system.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 15 July 2013 – submitted).

Report by Area Manager – Adult Care

This Agenda item will be heard at a Special Area Committee in September as apologies were given by the service manager at the start of the meeting.

There were no Public or Councillor questions intimated.