Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Jim Findlay.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first Bute and Cowal Area Committee meeting of the new Council and introductions were made.

The Chair asked that a minute’s silence be observed at 11am in support of those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in London.

There were no declarations of interest.

Bute and Cowal Area Committee – 4^th April 2017

The Minutes of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on 4^th April 2017 were approved as a correct record.

Michael Breslin raised a concern in regard to the Area Committee being downgraded in terms of frequency of meetings and would like to see a lot more decision making at a local level, he asked if the Area Committee is trying to move any approaches to reverse the downgrading?  The Area Governance Manager advised that the new Council met on 18^th May and agreed a framework which had been worked through a process in the previous Council which sets the Political Management Arrangements and schedule of meetings.  She confirmed that the proposals have been worked up through the Short Life Working Group from the previous Council.

Michael Breslin asked a question in regard to the number of over-lapping episodes which have occurred at Dunoon Pier since the breakwater was built  and asked if the Harbour Master keeps a record of such instances.  The Area Governance Manager agreed to liaise with Piers and Harbours staff to get statistics and feed this back to Mr Breslin. 

Alistair Lennie and Bruce Marshall both made points relating to implications for   other properties along the seafront which are also potentially under threat, the Area Governance Manager agreed to provide Mr Lennie and Mr Marshall with whatever statistical information is available in regards the questions asked by Mr Breslin.

Bruce Marshall asked if the new Administration of the Council could take forward grass cutting as a priority especially at Graham’s   Point.  He advised that the Council have previously refused to cut the grass in this area as it is owned by ACHA but it is his understanding an agreement was made in 2008 that the Council would cut the area of land owned by ACHA.  Mr Marshall was reassured that the Ward 6 members are progressing this matter.

Sue Glover raised a concern about the short term issue at Dunoon Pier which is not a good tourist attraction for the town with the CHORD works ongoing, and the former bus mustering area currently dug up.  She asked if the Council could make the pier area more attractive in the short term and asked what the situation was in regard to flowers for the town.  The Area Governance Manager agreed to get timescales for expected completion of the old muster area at the pier as part of CHORD and forward them to Ms Glover.

Alistair MacKinnon asked if the Council had anything in place about allotment provision and was given advice by the Area Governance Manager about the timescales for the implementation of the Community Empowerment Act.

Report by Area Committee Manager

A report outlining the scheduled meetings in the Bute and Cowal area from August 2017 to July 2018 was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed the schedule of meeting dates for the Bute and Cowal Area and agreed that Area Committees commence at 10:00am.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 19^th June 2017, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining local bodies/organisations within the Bute and Cowal area which require elected member appointment.  

Decision:

The Committee agreed that the following appointments be made:-

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Manager dated 19^th May 2017, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

A report updating the Committee on the work of both the Cruach Mhor and Clachan Flats Wind Farm Trusts was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the updates, which are the most recent of the annual updates required by the Area Committee on the work of the Trusts.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 19^th June 2017, submitted).