Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minute of the Meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on Wednesday, 2 June 2021, was approved as a correct record.

Councillor Redman advised that he had received a large amount of correspondence from constituents on Islay in relation to bins overflowing, noting that there were concerns from local residents that when they had previously reported instances of fly tipping this had resulted in the removal of bins. He noted that he had raised this issue previously but had not been satisfied with the response received and wished to pursue this further. The Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services advised that generally bin services were reported to be working well and additional collections had been put in place in some areas as required. He also outlined information around commercial abuse of bin collections; fly tipping; and the lack of capacity for vehicles to service additional bins on their allocated runs.

Councillor Horn raised concerns around the B8001 road to Skipness, advising that she had previously raised this matter several times and the condition of the road continued to deteriorate. Councillor Horn asked if the repairs originally scheduled for Autumn would be proceeding, as they were required imminently. The Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services confirmed that repairs to the B8001 road were included in the Roads Capital Programme for the current financial year, and geotechnical work had been undertaken to identify the causes of the issue. He noted that he was content that the road was stable at this time on the basis of the investigations which had been carried out. He advised that works had originally been planned for Autumn and asked for patience while the design work was completed and the procurement process initiated. He reassured the Committee that he was confident that the responsible team had the project in hand and that the work would be completed within the current financial year. He agreed to circulate information to Members, and via social media, in relation to an approximate timescale for works following a request from Councillor Currie. The Chair requested that details around the geotechnical issues encountered be provided in layman’s terms alongside this information, to provide local residents and Members with a better understanding of the challenges being faced.

Councillor Horn advised that there had been reports of issues on the road to Ardnahoe distillery, as some cars appeared to be unaware of how to use the laybys. Councillor Horn reported that this was causing concern for those who regularly used the road. The Committee Manager agreed to raise this with the relevant officer following the meeting and to feedback any response to Members.

Councillor Horn reported concerns around ambulance delays and asked that information was requested as to the reasons for this, noting that she was aware of one instance where this had resulted in an unplanned overnight stay and delayed discharge from hospital. The Chair and Councillor Philand confirmed that they had also been advised of concerns around ambulance delays, and Councillor Philand noted that he had received a response from the Scottish Ambulance Service around this which he would be happy to pass to the Committee Manager to be shared with Members. Councillor Philand advised that he had also requested that a meeting be set up with the area officer for the Scottish Ambulance Service to discuss this.

Councillor Horn asked if the Council had been notified around the new smoke alarm legislation coming into effect soon, and asked if any such information could be circulated to Members as she had received a lot of correspondence in relation to this. The Committee Manager agreed to raise this with the relevant officer following the meeting and to feedback any response to Members.

Councillor Philand requested the support of the Committee in writing to the Lead Councillor for the Health and Social Care Partnership in relation to the Autism Strategy. Councillor Philand advised that he had been unable to receive a response as to the status of the strategy at this time, having pushed for this for a number of years alongside Councillor Horn, and would appreciate the support of the Committee as it was important for communities and local families. The Chair agreed that he would be happy to make a request to the Lead Councillor for the Health and Social Care Partnership in this regard, and would liaise with Councillor Philand and the Committee Manager around this following the meeting. Councillor Horn noted her agreement with what Councillor Philand had said and the requirement for action to be taken.

Councillor Armour highlighted an issue in relation to frequent closures of the Roading amenity site, noting that this had also been raised at the last meeting of the Committee. He noted that he was still getting a number of complaints from people who were finding the amenity site to be closed during scheduled opening hours, with no indication of when it would re-open, and the closures appeared to be happening far more often than they had previously. He advised that he had also raised an issue around parking in the vicinity of the site, and asked for these issues to be responded to. The Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services advised that he would be happy to investigate these concerns with Renewi and provide feedback on this to Members following the meeting. He noted that it may be helpful to explore the ways in which signage and social media could be used to advise of any temporary closures and timescales for re-opening.

Councillor Armour expressed concern that the recent Campbeltown SURF award had not been adequately publicised. He noted that it had not been used to promote the town, and the good work undertaken by the Council and other agencies, to the extent that it should have been. Councillor Kelly endorsed these comments and advised that he would welcome further publicity of the award. The Committee Manager agreed to raise this with the relevant officer following the meeting and to feedback any response to Members.

Councillor Kelly advised that the condition of the old Post Office and the White Hart Hotel, as well as the external condition of the Aqualibrium, were detrimental to the works which were being carried out in Campbeltown. He noted that there had been a 25 year guarantee provided for the external paintwork and masonry when the Aqualibrium was originally built and it would be of benefit to investigate this prior to the guarantee running out as it had become an eyesore. He advised that the Council should also investigate any potential solutions to the old Post Office and White Hart hotel buildings. The Committee Manager agreed to raise this with the relevant officer following the meeting and to feedback any response to Members.

Councillor Kelly advised that, due to the condition of Castlehill and Dalintober Primary Schools, there was a requirement to initiate the process for a new Campbeltown Primary School to be built, particularly in light of the relevant timescales and required consultation procedures for such a project. The Committee Manager agreed to raise this with the relevant officer following the meeting and to feedback any response to Members.

Councillor Armour noted that he had received reports of issues with the cutting of the grass at Meadows playing field, which were causing issues for the local football teams who were trying to use it. He advised that local staff were doing their best, but there appeared to be an issue with the grass cutter which was not allowing the grass to be cut short enough. The Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services agreed to investigate this and provide a response to Members following the meeting.

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services and highlighted works being undertaken which were of relevance to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.

The Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services provided information in relation to questions raised at item 4 of the agenda at this point, as agreed by the Chair, and the details of these responses are recorded at item 4 of the minute.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated July 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which provided details on the council’s recycling and landfill diversion performance along with national policy, targets and regulations which are likely to impact on future performance.

Councillor Armour highlighted that Kintyre Recycling Limited (KRL) had re-started recycling collections within a matter of weeks of lockdown occurring, noting that recycling collections were suspended for a much longer period of time for Council areas not serviced by KRL.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted and considered the details as outlined within the report, including the national policy drivers that would likely impact over the next few years.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated 1 September 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee considered a report which asked Members to agree a grant award to the owner of 1 Argyll Street, Lochgilphead, using Lochgilphead Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) funding.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed:

1.    to approve the grant offer of up to £186,801 to the owner of 1 Argyll Street, Lochgilphead; and

2.    to delegate the issue of the grant contract to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, in consultation with the Chair of the Area Committee, only once all necessary checks had been completed.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 26 July 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard report for Financial Quarter 1 of 2021-2022 (April-June 2021), which illustrated the agreed performance measures.

The Committee Manager provided an update to the Committee from the Development Manager in relation to planning targets.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee;

1.    noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented in the report;

2.    noted that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee Members could contact either the Responsible Named Officer or the Performance Improvement Officer with any queries; and

3.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to the Performance Improvement Officer with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Performance Report and Scorecard.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 1 September 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

A report providing an update on Roads and Infrastructure Services activities which had been outsourced to external contractors and works provided to external bodies in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area over the last three financial years was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated August 2021, submitted)

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan as at September 2021 was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the contents of the Workplan.

(Reference: Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan, submitted)