Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Councillor Robert MacIntyre

Councillor Gordon Blair

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to take Agenda item 8 Argyll and Bute Family Pathway out of sequence to facilitate officer attendance. This item was therefore taken after item 11 Actions for Growth – Bute and Cowal Economy.

No declarations of interest were intimated.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on the 6 October 2015 was approved as a correct record.

(For noting)

The minute of the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group held on the 1 October 2015 was noted.

No Public or Councillor Questions were raised at this point.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed that questions could be raised where appropriate throughout the meeting.

Report by Argyll Ferries

The Committee considered a report which provided an overview of the current Dunoon to Gourock passenger service being provided, along with a statistical breakdown, maintenance provision and current day to day workings.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Argyll Ferries dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by Programme Manager

The Committee considered a report containing the Area Scorecard for FQ2 2015-2016.

Decision

1.          The Committee noted the exceptional performance presented on the Scorecard.

2.          The Committee agreed the proposed changes to the Area Scorecard as noted at paragraph 3.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 1 December 2015, submitted).

Report by Roads and Streetworks Co-Coordinator

The Contracts Manager took the Committee through a report which provided an update on the delivery of the revenue roads budget at the end of quarter 2 for financial year 2015/2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Contracts Manager dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by Unit Manager

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the progress of the Bute and Cowal Learning Disability day services at ASIST in Dunoon and Phoenix in Bute as well as providing further information on the standardisation of all learning disability and other day services across Argyll and Bute.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed a further year end report be brought back to December 2016 Area Committee.

3.    Agreed a Older Peoples standardisation report be brought back to the June 2016 Area Committee.

(Ref: Report by Unit Manager dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by APC Chair

The Committee considered an annual update report that covers up to the end of March 2015 and provides a detailed breakdown of the current work being undertaken by the Adult Protection Committee.

Councillor Len Scoullar on Behalf of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee intimated best wishes and a speedy recovery from his recent illness to Bill Brackenridge.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Adult Protection Committee dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by Head of Economic Development

The Projects and Renewables Manager took the Committee through an update report relating to the actions contained within the Bute and Cowal Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), 2015/2016.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.   Agreed that written quarterly updates would be provided for the Area Committee; and

3.   That an officer of the Economic Development and Strategic Transportation Service would attend annually to speak to an annual update report.

(Ref: Report by Head of Economic Development dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by Education Officer – Early Years

The Education Officer took the Committee through a report which detailed the Education Service’s intention to scale up the Argyll and Bute Family Pathway model to the Cowal area.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed to endorse scaling up the Family Pathway model to Cowal.

(Ref: Report by Education Officer – Early Years dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by Amenity Performance Manager

The Amenity Performance Manager took the Committee through a report providing further details to Members regarding the closure of Kilmun Pier Head toilets and options to refurbish Kilmun Cemetery PC.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed a further report would be brought back to February Area Committee.

(Ref: Report by Amenity Performance Manager dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by Amenity Manager

The Amenity Performance Manager took the Committee through a report which provided further details to options for operating the five-a-side all weather pitches and other facilities at Dunoon Stadium.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed a further report would be brought back to February Area Committee.

(Ref: Report by Amenity Performance Manager dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by Area Governance Manager

The Committee considered a report in regards to the long held intention of local elected Members in Bute to provide a fitting location to position the Rothesay Town Bell which was previously located on the Old Court House building.

Craig Bowman from the Buteman at this point raised the following questions:

Would the bell be silenced? Why was the Provost’s Fund used to fund it? And what are the costs involved?

Councillor Scoullar responded that the blacksmith setting the bell has assured him the bell will be silenced, that the project fits the criteria for funds being drawn from the Provost’s Fund and that he was not in a position to provide an exact costing for the work but that he considered it a reasonable sum to provide from the Provost’s Fund.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed the recommendation at 2.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by Area Team Leader D&I

It was noted that due to Councillors McNaughton and McQueen being members of the Planning Policy and Scrutiny Committee they would not comment on this item.

The Development Manager took the Committee through a report which introduces the new ‘Rothesay Windows – Technical Working Note’ which once approved by the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee will be a material consideration when Planning Officers assess and determine applications that relate to replacement windows in the Rothesay Conservation Area.

A member of the public Mr Morrison raised concerns about an ongoing planning concern he has regarding replacement windows.

The Development Manager informed Mr Morrison that an individual live case could not be discussed at this meeting but that any concerns could be submitted in writing for the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Noted the recommendation at 1.9 of the report.

(Report by Development Manager dated 1 December 2015, 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 Rothesay Pavilion Project Manager

The Project Manager took the Committee through a report which sets out the current position on the Rothesay Pavilion regeneration project.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed the recommendation at 3.2 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Project Manager dated 1 December 2015, submitted)

Report by Estates Surveyor

The Project Manager took the Committee through a report advising of a proposal to lease an area of land at Rothesay Pavilion.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed the recommendation at 2.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 1 December 2015, submitted)