Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Jimmy McQueen.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to take item 14 (Notice of Motion) before the excluded item on the agenda to allow the press and public to remain in the room.

Councillor Dick Walsh declared a non-financial interest in relation to Supporting Communities Fund which was dealt with at item 6, section 6 (Dunoon Mod) of this minute, citing that he was a member of this group. He left the room and took no part in the discussion of this section of the item.

Councillor Bruce Marshall declared a non-financial interest in relation to Supporting Communities Fund which was dealt with at item 6, section 7 (Historic Kilmun) of this minute, citing that he was a member of this group. He left the room and took no part in the discussion of this section of the item.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on the 7^th February 2017 was approved as a correct record.

The Committee agreed to note the Minute of the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group held on 27^th February 2017.

The Committee agreed to note the Minute of the Cowal Transport Forum held on 10^th March 2017.

Councillor Marshall raised a query regarding the contracting of removal of Japanese knotweed in the area.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to pass on this query to the Head of Roads and Amenity Services.

Report by IOD Programme Manager

A report presenting the Area Scorecard, with performance for financial quarter 3 of 2016-17 (October – December 2016), was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the performance presented on the Scorecard.

(Ref:  Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 4^th April 2017, submitted).

Report by Community Development Officer

Councillor Walsh, having declared a non-financial interest in Dunoon Mod, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of this organisation. 

Councillor Marshall, having declared a non-financial interest in Historic Kilmun, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of this organisation. 

A report detailing recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants (including Events and Festivals) to Third Sector organisations for Bute and Cowal area was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Agreed to award the grant recommendations as follows:-

2. Agreed that those organisations that have received funding for the two previous years or more should not be awarded more than the amount they received in 2016/17 unless increased developmental aspects are detailed in the application.  These repeat applications may be subject to a 20% reduction on the previous year’s allocation.  This is to reduce applicants’ dependency on Council grants and encourage fundraising and income generation initiatives.
3. Agreed that where possible, and if appropriate, new applicants should receive all or most of the amount requested (up to 50% total project costs).
4. Agreed that funds will only be awarded in receipt of the correct paperwork and an End of Project monitoring form (if a grant was awarded in previous year).
5. Agreed funds remaining, £1,657.00, will be added to the fund available in 2018/19.

(Ref:  Report by Community Development Officer dated 10^th March 2017, submitted).

Report by Local Area Manager

The Committee gave consideration to the Integration Joint Board’s Performance and Exception report for financial quarter 2 - 2016/17. 

Ms Williams, Locality Manager updated the Committee on the current position with Thomson Court and Struan Lodge.  She also gave an update on the Quality and Savings Plan, Locality Planning Groups and Delayed Discharges.

Ms Williams confirmed that Bute and Cowal have a new Locality Manager, Alison McKerracher, who took up post on 20^th March 2017 and will be attending future Area Committee meetings.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report and the information provided and congratulated Ms Williams on her hard work and commitment to the Bute and Cowal area.

(Ref:  Report by Integration Joint Board, dated 30^th November 2016, submitted).

Report by Roads Performance Manager

The Contracts Manager took the Committee through a report which provides an update on the delivery of the Roads Revenue Budget at the end of quarter 3 for the financial year 2016/2017.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Contracts Manager dated 4^th April 2017, submitted).

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

A report providing a summary of the parking review process to date and the issues raised through the member workshop and informal public consultation, was considered.  The report also provides an overall programme for the implementation of any changes to the current arrangements and the associated statutory consultation process.

Decision

The Committee approved the following proposals:-

1. That the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the Disabled Bays on Argyll Street, John Street and Church Street is amended to become restricted 24 hours/day.
2. That a TRO is promoted to make the mustering area a car park and that the loop road through the mustering area is adopted onto the Public List of Roads (refer to appendix 3 of the report).
3. That the TRO for Glenmorag Car Park is amended to allow use by HGVs.
4. That the TRO for Hanover Car Park is amended to prohibit use by HGVs.
5. That a 20mph speed limit scheme is developed for Rothesay Town Centre (refer to appendix 4 of the report).
6. That the existing non-charging car park TRO is amended to remove the 1.5 tonne weight restriction and to allow enforcement to be carried out (through the issue of Penalty Charge Notices).
7. That as soon as practicable, officers will introduce a system whereby all PCNs are recorded by location (ie car park name or street name) and by time and date. This is to allow a more detailed analysis to be made of where parking enforcement issues are and when they occur.

(Ref:  Report by Traffic and Development Manager dated 4^th April 2017, submitted).

Report by Roads Performance Manager

The Committee considered a report on the Tinkers Heart which is a historic feature located near the junction of the A815 and the B839, Hells Glen Road from Lochgoilhead.  The report advises that a group has been formed who are further promoting the feature following some restoration and scrub clearance together with a post and chain fence which currently offers some protection to the feature.

Decision

The Committee agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure to provide a letter of support to the Heart of Travellers Trust for the land to be acquired by the Trust.

(Ref:  Report by Roads Performance Manager dated 4^th April 2017, submitted).

Report by Area Education Officer

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining the primary school profiles for the Bute and Cowal area.  The report outlined the achievements of various schools in relation to Health and Wellbeing; Numeracy; Literacy; Expressive and Creative Arts and various interdisciplinary learning projects throughout the area.  The report also contained information on early learning and childcare. 

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services, dated 4^th April 2017, submitted).

Report by Schools Development Project Manager

The Schools Development Project Manager took the Committee through a report on the progress of the new schools redevelopment project in partnership with Hub North Scotland Ltd to build the new Kirn Primary School and to refurbish/ part new build Dunoon Primary School.

He advised the Kirn Primary School project is making good progress with the main steelwork and concrete floor slabs now completed.  The project is due to be completed in September 2017.  He confirmed the Dunoon Primary School project is nearing the end of the Stage 2 design and cost plan evaluation.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report and presentation.

(Ref: Report by Schools Development Project Manager dated 4^th April 2017, submitted).

That the Committee recommend to the Policy & Resources Committee that the Council should enter into negotiations with Argyll Community Housing Association to engage Clause 31 with a view to the land known as Graham’s Point Community Park, being transferred back into Council ownership.

Proposer:  Cllr Bruce Marshall

Seconder:  Cllr Michael Breslin

Councillor Bruce Marshall, seconded by Councillor Michael Breslin had given notice of the following Motion:-

Motion

That the Committee recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that the Council should enter into negotiations with Argyll Community Housing Association to engage Clause 31 with a view to the land known as Graham’s Point Community Park, being transferred back into the Council ownership.

Decision

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

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

Report by Rothesay Pavilion Project Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update on costs and funding following the issue of tenders for the Rothesay Pavilion Adaptive Restoration and Extension Works contract, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations in the report.

(Ref:  Report by Project Manager dated 4^th April 2017, submitted).

E1       Paragraph 8  The amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services; and

E1       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.