Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from:-

Councillor Michael Breslin

Councillor Dick Walsh

Sally Loudon, Chief Executive

There were no declarations of interest received.

The Chair welcomed Upper Cowal Bowling Club Champions to the meeting and Councillor Marshall presented them with a Quaich and congratulated the team on their great success in winning the Scottish Senior 4s Open Championship.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on 6^th August 2013 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Rothesay Common Good Fund held on 6^th August 2013 were noted.

Report by David Mitchell, Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School

The Committee heard from the Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School on the Annual Performance Report.

The Head Teacher told the Committee he is happy to meet with anyone to discuss the information provided at the meeting.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report and formally congratulated the Head Teacher on his recent appointment and the school for their achievements to date.

(Ref: Report by the Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar dated 1^st October 2013, submitted).

Report by James Wylie, Head Teacher of Kirn Primary School

An Education Scotland report on the inspection of Kirn Primary School on week beginning 20^th May 2013, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the report and formally congratulated the Head Teacher for the recent excellent Education Scotland Inspection of Kirn Primary School and hoped that the existing good practise in the school would be built on and replicated across the authority.

(Ref:  Report by Head Teacher of Kirn Primary School dated 24^th September 2013, submitted).

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

A report providing Members with a further update on the funding options for the potential footway connection between Hunters Quay and Sandbank on the A815 was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to make this project a priority for the Bute and Cowal area and to include the project in the submission  to the Full Council for allocation of the Roads Capital Reconstruction Programme as part of the budget setting process.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 23^rd September 2013, submitted).

Report and Presentation by Research and Development Officer

A report summarising the findings of a research study into the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in Argyll and Bute was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the findings of the research study and the implications for the Argyll and Bute Local Housing Strategy.

(Ref:  Report by Research Development Officer dated 30^th August 2013, submitted).

Extract from Council Meeting held on 29 August 2013 and Report by Executive Director of Community Services

A report providing an update to the Committee on the work of the Armed Forces Champion and highlighting a number of initiatives that are underway in Argyll and Bute, was considered.

The report follows on from a decision made at the Council meeting on 29^th August to delegate the nomination of a representative elected Member from each area to join the World War 1 Commemoration Steering Group to local Area Committees.

Decision

The Committee nominated Councillor McQueen to join the World War One Commemoration Steering Group.

(Ref:  Extract from the Council minute of 29^th August, submitted).

Alistair MacKinnon asked the Committee why no representative from Argyll and Bute Council was present at the meeting of the Scottish Community Alliance Group which considered disbursement of £2 ½ Billion of European structural funds for 2014-2020. 

It was agreed that Alistair MacKinnon would email the Area Governance Manager with details of this matter and she would then pass it onto the relevant person.

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

Report by Streetscene Area Manager

A report providing further details to Members with regard to options for operating the five-a-side all weather pitches at Dunoon Stadium was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed in principle to support a partnership arrangement with the Dunoon Youth Football League 5s Group and to explore potential operating mechanisms for the existing 5 aside pitches sited at Dunoon Stadium, and request that the Head of Roads and Amenity Services explore this and bring forward a detailed fully costed partnership plan, including any budget implications for the Council to a future Area Committee meeting.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 16^th September 2013, submitted).

Report by Legal Services Manager

A report advising Members in relation to a possible site for allotments at Kilbride Farm, Dunoon and to seek instructions in connections therewith was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations contained in the report submitted by the Legal Services Manager and further agreed that the Dunoon group should contact Grow Bute with a view to replicating the successful model of operation which has been adopted by them in regards allotments in Rothesay.

(Ref:  Report by Legal Services Manager – Commercial dated 23^rd September 2013, submitted).

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.