Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Councillor Len Scoullar

No declarations of interest were intimated.

Councillor McNaughton, Vice Chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee assumed the Chair at the commencement of the meeting due to Councillor MacIntyre, Chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee submitting an apology of late arrival to the meeting.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to take item 10. Secondary Schools Report – Dunoon Grammar School out of sequence to facilitate officer attendance. This item was taken after Item 7. Dunoon 5 A Side Pitches.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on the 1 December 2015 was approved as a correct record.

(for noting)

The minute of the Cowal Transport Forum held on the 4 December 2015 was noted.

(for noting)

The minute of the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group held on the 12 January 2016 was noted.

Councillor MacIntyre joined the meeting and assumed the Chair.

The Vice Chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee invited questions from the public and Councillors, he reminded the Committee that questions from the public could be taken at any time during the meeting in relation to a particular item on the agenda.

Kenny Mathieson asked the committee for an update on the formation of the Dunoon Wooden Pier Trust.

Graeme Forrester responded that he is currently engaged in talks with the Pier Community Trust, Community Councils and the Dunoon Regeneration Party to facilitate a partnership arrangement.

Willie Lynch asked the Committee if they had a current view on the Castle Lodge Gate House.

Councillor Walsh responded that works on the building would commence soon and once the works were completed then options for purpose of use for the building would be looked into.

The Committee held a conversation regarding the impact the building was having on the local area in its current state of disrepair.

Alistair Lennie raised a concern regarding lack of signage and lining on the core foot and cycle path on the East Bay, Dunoon.

The Committee noted Mr Lennie’s concerns and agreed to request a report on the cycle path to the April 2016 Area Committee. Councillor Marshall informed Mr Lennie that the Roads department are looking into this.

Representatives from the Dunoon Primary School Parent Council presented the committee with signed letters and additional documentation proposing the cuts to non teaching staff that will affect their school.  Correspondence from pupils and parents at St. Muns Primary was also presented.

Lindsey McPhail on behalf of the Dunoon Primary School Parent Council provided the Committee with the Parent Council’s position on the impact which reductions in non-teaching staff may have on pupils at Dunoon Primary School and asked the committee to consider the documentation submitted when determining the budget on 11^th February 2016.

The Committee noted the documentation submitted, as well as the verbal update provided.

Willie Lynch submitted a letter from the Dunoon Community Council to the Transport Minister regarding unsuitable disabled access for Argyll Ferries.

It was noted that this letter had already been submitted and discussed at the Cowal Transport Forum.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to write, in consultation with the Chair, a letter to the Transport Minister and the MSP to advise of the Committee’s concerns regarding access to ferries.

Report by Integration Manager

The Locality Manager took the Committee through a report which provided a real time progress update on the action undertaken to establish the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership and how this will be implemented in the coming months.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance dated 2 February 2016, submitted)

Report by Contracts Manager

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 3 for financial year 2015/2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Contracts Manager dated 2 February 2016, submitted)

Report by Amenity Performance Manager

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

Brian Chennell on behalf of the Dunoon Football Fives asked the Committee to consider an extension to their current lease so that they can apply to Sports Scotland for funding. They require a security of tenure which they currently don’t have as their lease at the stadium is on a month to month basis.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and:

2.    Noted the information provided by the DYFL representative

3.    Requested an update report to April 2016 Area Committee.

(Ref: Report by Amenity Technical Officer dated 2 February 2016, submitted)

Report by Head Teacher

The Head Teacher, Dunoon Grammar School presented a report which provided a 2015/2016 progress update as well as a statistical breakdown of achievements.

Members of the Committee praised Dunoon Grammar School for its continued progress in providing a high standard of education to its pupils.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher dated 2 February 2016, submitted)

Report by Senior Business Support Officer

The Committee considered a report which set out the estimated funding available for distribution of funds for the charities and trust funds for the Bute and Cowal Area for 2015-16.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 3.2 of the report.

3.    Agreed a further report be brought back to the April Bute and Cowal Area Committee.

(Ref: Report by Senior Business Support Officer dated 2 February 2016, submitted)

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Area Committee Manager took the Committee through a report which outlines the proposed cycle of meetings in the Bute and Cowal area from May 2016 to April 2017.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

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

(Ref: Report by Area Committee Manager dated 2 February 2016, submitted)