Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from:

Councillor Jimmy McQueen

Councillor Gordon Blair

Allan MacDonald, Amenity Performance Manager

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The minute of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee of 7^th October 2014 was approved as a correct record.

The minute of the meeting of the Cowal Games Partnership of 4^th November 2014 was noted.

The minute of the meeting of the Dunoon Common Good Fund of 4^th November 2014 was noted.

The minute of the meeting of the Cowal Community Safety Forum of 10^th November 2014 was noted.

The minute of the meeting of Forward Dunoon and Cowal of 10^th November 2014 was noted.

The minute of the meeting of the Bute Community Safety Forum of 14^th November 2014 was noted.

There were no questions asked.

Report by Roads Performance Manager

The Roads Performance Manager provided a report following on from the report he previously presented at the October Area Committee, containing information on road maintenance revenue activities being delivered in 2014/2015.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Ref: Report by Roads Performance Manager dated 2^nd December 2014, submitted).

Verbal update by Traffic and Development Manager

The Traffic and Development officer provided the Committee with a verbal update on the progress made in regards to the Guildford Square Parking Charges and the implementation of a charging policy.

Decision

1. The Committee noted the Contents of the Report.
2. Noted that a written report would come to the January Business Day for Member’s consideration.

Report by Area Manager – Adult Care

A report updating the Committee on the findings of the continuing quarterly evaluation of the Care at Home provision within the Bute and Cowal area was considered.

The Area Manager for Adult Care updated the Committee on the current services being provided to people at home in the Bute and Cowal Area with a statistical target breakdown.

Decision

1. The Committee noted the report and the verbal update by the Area Manager for Adult Care.
2. A presentation would come to the January Business Day on the work that IRISS is doing.

(Ref: Report by Area Manager, Adult Care dated 2^nd December 2014, submitted).

Report by Programme Manager

The Committee considered a report which presented the Area Scorecard with                 performance for financial quarter 2 of 2014-15 (July to September 2014).

Decision

1. The Committee noted the contents of the report.
2. Noted that a further report would come to the February Area Committee showing the new reporting layout for Scorecards.

(Ref: Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 2^nd December 2014, submitted).

Report by Integration Project Manager

The Project Manager for Integration presented a report updating the Committee on the current position of the implementation of the new Health and Social Care Partnership, advising members on the staff events that had taken place across Argyll and Bute and the community events that were currently taking place.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Ref: Report by Project Manager – Integration dated 2^nd December, submitted).

Report by the Transport Planning Officer

The Transport Planning Manager presented a report detailing funding available for proposed upgrades to the Dunoon Esplanade area.

Members and a member of the public noted their understanding that this project had expected to be implemented in the West Bay first.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendation in the report, approving officers to proceed with the project.

(Ref: Report by Transport Planning Manager, dated 2^nd December 2014, submitted).

Report by Accountant – Chief Executives Unit

A report detailing the estimated funding available and proposals on the distribution of that funding for the charities and trust fund in the Bute and Cowal area for 2014-2015 was considered.

Decision

1. The Committee noted the report.
2. For funds to be looked at for updating or distributing to other charities. This was motioned by Councillor Strong and seconded by Councillor Breslin.

(Ref: Report by Accountant, Chief Executives Unit date 2^nd December, submitted).

Report by Area Governance Manager (to follow)

The Area Committee Manager provided members with a draft report outlining the proposed new meeting dates for 2015/2016 for consideration.

Decision

1.The Committee noted the report and agreed to the new timetable of proposed

2. The Committee agreed that Area Community Planning Group meetings should  take place on second Tuesday of May, August and November on 2015, and on the second Tuesday of February 2016.

(Ref: Report by Area Committee Manager dated 2^nd December 2014, submitted).

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 8&9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Public Transport Officer

The Public Transport Officer presented a report which provided details of school and public transport issues within the Bute and Cowal Area with suggested alternative times and routes for Members consideration.

Decision

1. The Committee noted the report.
2. Members agreed to delegate this item to Councillor McNaughton and Councillor MacIntyre for consultation, then brought to the Policy and Resources Committee.
3. Noted that a further report providing an update to come to the February Area Committee.

(Ref: Report by Public Transport Officer dated 2^nd December 2014, submitted).

Update from Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation (to follow)

An update on Rothesay Harbour by the Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation was considered.

Members discussed the current arrangements for the Harbour Board and liability for decisions.

Decision

1. The Committee noted the update.
2. A written report would come to the Area Committee after discussion by the Policy and Resources Committee.

Report by a Representative from Firth Heritage

A report providing an update on the significant progress that has been made in the development of the Rothesay Pavillion CHORD project over the six months from June – November 2014 was considered. Reference was made in particular to the new HIE Development Officer who will take up post in January 2015. It was noted that listed building consent had been approved and overall the project is making steady progress.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Ref: Report by Firth Heritage dated 2^nd December 2014, submitted).

Verbal update by Contracts Manager

The Contracts Manager provided the Committee with a verbal update on the sale of Castle Lodge Gate House.

Decision

1. The Committee noted the contents of the verbal update.
2. Members requested that this to be brought back to January Business Day in report format.

Councillor Robert Macintyre left the meeting and Councillor Alex McNaughton took the Chair.

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

A report  addressing both agenda Item 17 (a) and 17 (b) was provided by the Head of Roads and Amenity Services for consideration.

The report summarised two site meetings that had recently taken place between Elected Members and Officers. The report also set out the next steps proposed relating to the Sandbank Playpark and set out possible options for Broxwood depot.

The Area Committee Manager on behalf of Councillor Blair expressed thanks to Jim Smith and his team in regards to this matter.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Ref: Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 2^nd December 2014, submitted).

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

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

This agenda item was taken at agenda item 17. (a) in a joint report.

Report by Regeneration Project Manager

The regeneration Project Manager presented the second in the series of bi-monthly reports which provided an update on the property acquisitions relating to the Queen’s Hall Redevelopment.

Decision

The Committee noted the report

(Ref: Report by Regeneration Project Manager dated 2^nd December 2014, submitted). 

Report by Regeneration Project Manager

The redevelopment Project Manager presented a report which provided an update on the project’s status following the conclusion of stage E (technical design) of the plan of work.

Decision

1. The Committee noted the report.
2. A further report to come to January Business Day providing an update on the end of the stage E section of the project.

(Ref: Report by Regeneration Project Manager dated 2^nd December, submitted).