Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were intimated.

No declarations of interest were intimated.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on 5^th April 2016 was approved as a correct record subject to a change at item 2 of the submitted minute to the effect that Cllr Scoullar declared an interest in the matter dealt with at item 10, section 16 of that minute citing that his wife is a member of the referred to group.

Kenny Mathieson, Dunoon Community Council, advised the Committee that he had received representation from members of the public stating concern over personal attacks on the Leader of the Council and on the Council, and asked the Committee’s thoughts on this issue.

The Committee held a discussion regarding this and it was clarified that this was the view point of individuals and not a Community Council viewpoint. Councillor Breslin informed the Committee that people were upset over the handling of Castle Toward and Service Choices decisions. It was noted that scrutiny is an important function of elected members but respect is central to this.

Willie Lynch, Dunoon Community Council asked if the Bute and Cowal Area Committee were lending their support to the proposed CARS project for the Cowal area.

It was noted that the Bute and Cowal Area Committee had already agreed to show support for this project and that Council would consider an application to the fund.

Willie Lynch further informed the Committee that he felt there was a missed opportunity regarding the Dunoon Wooden Pier Building and its potential use moving forward.

It was noted that the Dunoon Wooden Pier building is available for Community hire and details of this can be found on the Argyll and Bute Council website under the ‘Book It’ tab.

That the Bute & Cowal Area Committee support the proposal by the Cowal Fixed Link Working Group to create a fixed link between the Cowal Peninsula and the Mainland and to recommend that A&BC take part in discussions along with the Scottish Govt., HIE and Hi Trans with regard to the feasibility of this project”

Proposer Cllr Bruce Marshall

Seconder Cllr Michael Breslin

The Committee agreed to suspend standing orders to hear a presentation by David MacKenzie, Cowal Fixed Link Working Group which provided an update and overview on the proposals for a fixed link in the Cowal Area.

The Committee considered the following Notice of Motion submitted under

Standing Order 13 which was proposed at the meeting by Councillor Bruce Marshall and seconded by Councillor Michael Breslin –

Motion

That the Bute & Cowal Area Committee support the proposal by the Cowal Fixed Link Working Group to create a fixed link between the Cowal Peninsula and the Mainland

and to recommend that A&BC take part in discussions along with the Scottish Govt.,

HIE and Hi Trans with regard to the feasibility of this project

Proposer Cllr Bruce Marshall

Seconder Cllr Michael Breslin

Amendment

The Area Committee:

• Notes the proposal by the Cowal Fixed Link Group to create a fixed link between the Cowal Peninsula and the mainland;
• In noting this proposal, recognises that any future support would need to be viewed in the context of other strategic transportation matters such as improvements to the A83, A82, ferry services and other transport links between communities where many of these have more potential for short to medium term development and deliverability;
• Recognises the proposal as a longer term possibility and that there is still a considerable amount of work to be done to be able to assert that this is the best way to proceed;
• Agrees to recommend to the council that Argyll and Bute Council participates with all other relevant partners in future discussions to assist with the delivery of what is clearly a national project.

Proposer: Councillor Dick Walsh

Seconder: Councillor Alec McNaughton

Decision

On a show of hands vote the amendment was carried by 5 votes to 3 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

(Ref: Notice of Motion by Councillor Bruce Marshall and seconded by

Councillor Michael Breslin, dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

(Ref: Notice of Amendment by Councillor Dick Walsh and seconded by Councillor Alec McNaughton, dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

Report by Programme Manager

The Committee considered a report containing the Area Scorecard for FQ4

2015-2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

 (Ref: Report by Programme Manager dated 7 June 2016, submitted.)

Report by Caroline Cuddihy

In the absence of a representative being present from Dunoon Regeneration Party the Committee considered a presentation that had previously been submitted.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the presentation.

(Ref: Presentation by Dunoon Regeneration Party dated 7 June, submitted)

The Committee held a discussion regarding the 5 A Side Pitches and outstanding issues relating thereto.

The Committee along with members of the public raised concerns that no report had been provided for the meeting. The Area Committee Manager informed members that Roads and Amenity Services had advised no substantive update on the situation was available.

Brian Chennell, of Cowal Community Sports Group, informed the Committee of the poor condition of the pitch, changing room and flood lights and that the Group were currently looking at funding streams but are limited in accessing funding due to the conditions which applied to the funding previously accessed for the development of the facility.

Iain Ross, on behalf of Cowal Rugby Club, informed the Committee that he felt that insufficient financial management and governance of the facility historically required that the matter should be referred to the Council’s Internal Audit team for consideration.

The Committee considered the following Notice of Motion submitted which was proposed at the meeting by Councillor Michael Breslin and seconded by Councillor Bruce Marshall –

Motion

This motion from the Bute and Cowal Area Committee seeks to resolve the problem of poor maintenance of the facility known locally as the Dunoon 5 a Side Cages. This motion moves that a request goes to the next full council meeting in June to allocate the necessary funds to fully refurbish the cages, including lighting, and to take the funds needed from council reserves (or existing budgets if funds are available). The motion further moves that this issue is referred to Internal Audit to investigate the management of the Dunoon 5 a Side Cages (including the council’s relationship with Cowal Community Sports Project) from the date of award of the Sports Scotland grant till the present date.

Proposer: Councillor Michael Breslin

Seconder: Councillor Bruce Marshall

Amendment

That the Bute and Cowal Area Committee move to refer the item to full Council for investigation/ resolution and Internal Audit to investigate historical issues.

Proposer: Councillor Dick Walsh

Seconder: Councillor Alec McNaughton

Decision

On a show of hands vote the motion was carried by 5 votes to 4 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

(Ref: Notice of Motion by Councillor Michael Breslin and seconded by

Councillor Bruce Marshall, dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

(Ref: Notice of Amendment by Councillor Dick Walsh and seconded by Councillor Alec McNaughton, dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

Report by Locality Manager

The Adult Services Locality Manager took the Committee through a report on the relevant issues regarding Health and Social Care within Bute and Cowal, the report provides an update on the performance and delivery of Health and Social Care related activities and development for Bute and Cowal.

The Committee considered the following Notice of Motion submitted which was proposed at the meeting by Councillor Michael Breslin and seconded by Councillor Bruce Marshall –

Motion

The Bute & Cowal Area Committee wishes to ensure that the quality standards for home care are as high as possible and proposes a policy that there is a minimum of grade 4 across the 3 categories used by the Care Inspectorate.

This motion recommends to the IJB that all contractors are given 6 months from the date of this meeting to ensure they obtain a minimum of 4 across the 3 categories. This motion further recommends that if the minimum grading of 4 is not met, no further business should be given to any care company below this standard at the end of the 6 month period.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed the content of the motion proposed.

(Ref: Report by Locality Manager, Adult Services dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

(Ref: Notice of Motion by Councillor Michael Breslin and seconded by Councillor Bruce Marshall, dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

Report by Unit Manager

The Unit Manager took the Committee through a report on the progress of the standardisation of the Older People’s registered services.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Unit Manager dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

Councillor MacIntyre left the meeting and Councillor McNaughton assumed the Chair.

Report by Head of Education

The Educational Support Officer took the Committee through the annual Bute and Cowal primary schools report, which provided a statistical breakdown of performance measures as well as information on various school initiatives that have taken place in the Bute and Cowal area.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Head of Education dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

Councillor MacIntyre entered the meeting and resumed the Chair.

Verbal Update by Head Teacher

An appropriate Education representative was not present at the meeting, therefore no update was provided.

Decision

The Committee requested a report be brought to the August Bute and Cowal Area Committee.

Report by Area Governance Manager

The Area Committee Manager took the Committee through a report which provided an annual update on the work undertaken by the wind farm trusts set up at both Cruach Mhor (Glendaruel) and Clachan Flats (Cairdow).

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

Discussion by Bute and Cowal Elected Members.

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee Members held a discussion regarding the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland’s report on the boundary recommendations for the Argyll and Bute Council Area.

The Committee considered the following Notice of Motion submitted which was proposed at the meeting by Councillor Len Scoullar and seconded by Councillor Michael Breslin –

Motion

That the Bute and Cowal Area Committee agrees to advise the Council of its strong opposition to the Boundary Commission proposals for the Bute and Cowal Ward 7 and for the Dunoon Ward 6 and that Council reinforce its position that current Bute and Cowal wards remain unchanged.

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee further recommend to the Council that it raises an objection to the Boundary Commission proposals for the Argyll and Bute Area in total and that the Council reinforces the position previously represented on this, to them.

Proposer: Councillor Len Scoullar

Seconder: Councillor Michael Breslin

Decision

The Committee unanimously agreed the content of the motion submitted and the Committee resolved accordingly.

(Ref: Report by Local Boundary Commission for Scotland dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

(Ref: Notice of Motion by Councillor Len Scoullar and Seconded by Councillor Michael Breslin dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government

(Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public from the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Estates Surveyor

The Estates Surveyor took the Committee through a report on the lease terms in respect of a site at Sandbank Primary School.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 3.0 of the submitted report subject to an additional requirement.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 7 June 2016, submitted)

Report by Estates Surveyor.

The Estates Surveyor took the Committee through a report detailing the offers and expressions of interest in respect of the shop premises 3 Montague Street, Guildford Square, Rothesay.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed a proposal relating to the detail contained within the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 7 June 2016, submitted)