Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Councillor Gordon Blair

Councillor Bobby Good

Councillor Len Scoular

No declarations of interest were intimated.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on the 4^th September

2018 was approved as a correct record.

The minute of the Special Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on the 23^rd  October 2018 was approved as a correct record.

For Noting

The minute of the Cowal Transport Forum meeting held on 26^th September 2018 was noted.

For Noting

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Community Planning Group held on

6^th November 2018 was noted.

Report by Head Teacher

The Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School took the Committee through a

progress update report on the schools achievements for the 2018 session.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Commended the work being done by the school.

(Report by Head Teacher, Dunoon Grammar School dated 4 December 2018,

submitted)

Report by Head Teacher

The Head Teacher of Rothesay Academy took the Committee through a progress update report on the school’s achievements in the 2018 session.

The Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar School thanked the education services on behalf of the school for their continued support and encouragement.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Commended the work being done by the school.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher of Rothesay Academy dated 4^th December 2017, submitted)

Kenny Matheson on behalf of Dunoon Community Council requested:

1. That the Bute and Cowal Area Committee write to the administration to raise concerns regarding the condition of the Dunoon Pier.

The Chair responded that this item was currently ongoing as it is tied in with the current ferry tendering exercise.

2. That the Bute and Cowal Area Committee look into why Dunoon Community Hospital currently only has one ward open.

The Chair agreed to take this item forward and would respond to Mr Matheson.

3. That the Bute and Cowal Area Committee ask the Health and Social Care Partnership for a response regarding individuals in the Cowal Area being unable to receive care packages at home.

The Area Committee agreed to raise this concern with the Elected Member representatives on the Health and Social Care Partnership Board. Councillor Forrest also agreed to investigate the individual case that had been highlighted and respond to the constituent and her fellow ward councillors.

Report by Special Projects and Quality Improvement Manager

The Committee gave consideration to a progress update report on the Council’s Schools redevelopment project in partnership with hubNorth Scotland Ltd for the refurbishment/part new build of Dunoon Primary School.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1.    Considered and noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Noted the recent success of the Special Projects Team at the Argyll and Bute excellence awards.

(Ref: Report by Special Projects & Quality Improvement Manager dated 4^th

December 2018, submitted)

Report by Performance and Improvement Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Scorecard for financial quarter 2 of 2018-2019.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:-

1.    Noted the performance presented on the scorecard and supporting  commentary.

2.    Agreed to the removal of the Community Emergency Plan measures from the Scorecard and Quarterly Performance reports from FQ3 2018/19 onwards.

3.    Agreed that should the situation with Community Emergency Plans change the Civil Contingencies Manager, Susan Donnelly would submit a report updating the Committee.

4.    Agreed that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee contact either the Performance Management and Improvement Officer or the Responsible Named Officer with any queries and;

5.    Noted that work was ongoing and to respond to the Performance

Management and Improvement Officer with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Report and Scorecard.

(Ref: Report by Performance and Improvement Officer dated 4^th December 2018, submitted).

Presentation by Regional Manager, ACHA

The Committee gave consideration to an annual update presentation for the Bute and Cowal area by Argyll Community Housing Association.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the presentation and;

2. Thanked Argyll Community Housing Association for the way in which the recent demolishment of properties on Bute was handled.

(Ref: Presentation by Chief Executive, ACHA dated 4^th December 2018, submitted)

Briefing note by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

The Committee gave consideration to a briefing paper which provided an update on operational matters within the roads and amenity services department in Bute and Cowal.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Expressed disappointment at the lack of officer representation at the meeting.

(Ref: Briefing note by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 4^th December 2018, submitted)

Report by Finance Manager, Strategic Finance

The Committee gave consideration to a report setting out the proposed method for distribution of the charities and trust funds in the Bute and Cowal Area.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

1.    Agreed the distribution of the Charities and Trust Funds as outlined in appendix 1 of the report and;

2.    Agreed to request whether further amalgamation of the funds was viable and delegate to the Area Committee Manager to raise this with the Finance department.

Report by Interim Head of Service, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

The Committee gave consideration to a progress update briefing paper on the Health and Social Care Partnership.

Decision 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Briefing note by Interim Head of Service HSCP dated 4^th December 2018, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to the Bute and Cowal Workplan for December 2018 to June 2019 inclusive.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the Bute and Cowal Workplan.

(Ref: Bute and Cowal Workplan dated 4^th December 2018, submitted).

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agree that due to the number of cancellations that the existing Dunoon-Gourock ferry service is no longer fit for purpose.

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee therefore:

(a)                  agrees that The Chair will write, as a matter of urgency, to the Scottish Government asking that they invite tenders for a subsidised passenger service between Dunoon-Gourock.

(b)                  agrees that the tender documents should specify that vessels must be provided which can cope with the weather conditions expected on the Upper Clyde in winter. The successful bidder can choose to carry vehicles on a commercial basis, but will only receive a subsidy for carrying passengers.

Proposed:  Councillor Jim Anderson

Seconded: Councillor Alan Reid

The Committee considered the following Notice of Motion submitted under

Standing Order 13 which was proposed at the meeting by Councillor Jim Anderson and seconded by Councillor Alan Reid –

Motion

That the existing Dunoon-Gourock ferry service is no longer fit for purpose.

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee therefore:

(a) Agrees that the Chair will write, as a matter of urgency, to the Scottish

Government asking that they invite tenders for a subsidised passenger

service between Dunoon-Gourock.

(b) Agrees that the tender documents should specify that vessels be provided

which can cope with the weather conditions expected on the Upper Clyde

in winter. The successful bidder can choose to carry vehicles on a

commercial basis, but will only receive a subsidy for carrying passengers.

Moved by: Councillor Jim Anderson Seconded by: Councillor Alan Reid

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee unanimously agreed the contents of the submitted notice of motion.

(Ref: Notice of Motion by Councillor Jim Anderson and seconded by

Councillor Alan Reid, dated 4^th December 2018, submitted)

Report by Project Manager – Rothesay Pavilion

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided members with an update on progress with the Rothesay Pavilion Adaptive Restoration and Extension Works project following completion of the funding package in September 2017 and the award of the construction contract to Messrs CBC Ltd (CBC) in November 2017.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee considered and noted the progress update provided in the report.

(Ref: Report by Rothesay Pavilion Project Manager dated 4^th  December 2018, submitted)

The Council resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and 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 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Committee gave consideration to an exempt financial information appendix pertaining to the Rothesay Pavilion.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:-

1. Considered and noted the in depth review and reconciliation of the financial and non-financial performance of the project following the new Rothesay Pavilion Project Manager appointment on 23rd July 2018, as set out within the Exempt Appendix 1 to the report.

2. Agreed that due to the significant level of financial support that the Council has committed to the Rothesay Pavilion Project and the lack of information available, that the report by the Rothesay Pavilion Project Manager be referred to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee for consideration in order to expedite a possible formal review of the project.

3. Agreed that due to the significant level of financial support that the Council has committed to the Rothesay Pavilion Project to recommend that a Bute and Cowal Area Committee elected member (or a substitute) and the Rothesay Pavilion Project Manager (or substitute)  be appointed to attend all Rothesay Pavilion Charity Board meetings in their entirety.

4. Agreed that the Area Committee Manager would highlight the discussion held with the Chief Executive and appropriate Senior Officers.

(Ref: Appendix by Rothesay Pavilion Project Manager dated 4^th December 2018, submitted)

Report by Estates Surveyor.

The Committee gave consideration to a report on a proposal regarding land at the rear of Rothesay Pavilion.

Decision

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to continue this item to the March meeting of the Area Committee to allow for further clarification;

·         On the impact of this decision on the Rothesay Pavilion and any future development thereof and;

·         On early years provision within Rothesay.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 4^th December 2018, submitted)

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.