Agenda and minutes

Venue: Skype

Contact: Iona Campbell, Senior Committee Assistant; Tel: 01436 658 801 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Minutes

3a

Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on Wednesday, 4 March 2020 pdf icon PDF 257 KB

Minutes:

The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on Wednesday, 4 March 2020 was approved as a true record.

4.

Public and Councillors Question Time

Minutes:

Andrew Wilson, North Knapdale Community Council, enquired as to what Scottish Water were planning to do to mitigate issues at Tayvallich where there had been 12 water bursts in the last 2 years. The Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water, advised that a need for investment had been identified in Tayvallich and that planning design work was currently taking place on work to be carried out which would include the replacement of old style pipes with new style plastic pipes and would provide resilience and reduce the risk of future bursts. In addition, a short 200 to 250 metre section had been worked on more urgently near the caravan park as this area was the biggest risk of potential disruption to the water supply and this work has now been completed. The Regional Communities Manager advised that there was no start date agreed for the longer term works taking place but he would be able to confirm this at a later date.

 

Councillor Taylor asked if Scottish Water were aware of other areas in Mid Argyll which may require to be updated due to the use of older style pipes and infrastructure which were likely to have a finite lifespan. The Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water, confirmed that investment was taking place across the whole of Scotland in relation to this and he would provide further information around this during his update at item 6 of the agenda.

 

Councillor Redman raised the issue of weed killing in the area of Cnoch-na-Faire, Port Ellen, having caused damage to a large portion of the green area outside houses. Councillor Redman noted that this issue had previously been raised with the Roads department who had advised that they would not be re-seeding the area. It was agreed that this issue be raised with Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services, at item 11 of the agenda. 

 

Councillor Redman raised concerns regarding street lighting repairs and advised that Roads department operatives had been attaching access panels with large holes in them to lights when carrying out temporary repairs. Councillor Redman noted that where constituents would complain about cabling being exposed on street lights, the temporary repairs carried out where access panels had holes in them would leave the cabling still exposed. It was agreed that this issue be raised with Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services, at item 11 of the agenda. 

 

Councillor Redman expressed disappointment that a number of constituents in Carradale had been left without water between 9:30am and 7pm on Tuesday, 1 September 2020, with no prior warning from Scottish Water which had adversely affected businesses and residents in the area. Councillor Redman also noted that requests to Scottish Water for bottled water to be delivered to elderly residents had not been fulfilled. The Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water, advised that he was unaware of this issue but would raise this with the Local Operations Manager and would report back to Members with further information around this.

 

Councillor Armour asked if the link for attending virtual meetings of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee was being sent out to all Community Councils or if it was necessary for members to indicate to Governance staff that they would be in attendance. The Committee Manager confirmed that the agenda which is sent out to all Community Councils indicated that the meeting would be taking place via Skype and the meetings had been advertised on social media where contact details were provided for the relevant officer to contact in order to facilitate attendance.

 

Councillor Redman raised concerns around issues with rabbit infestation in Kilnaughton cemetery which had led to fears among constituents that graves could start to be desecrated. Councillor Redman noted that this issue had previously been raised with the Roads department. It was agreed that this issue be raised with Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services, at item 11 of the agenda. 

5.

Area Scorecard - FQ4 2019-20 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Performance and Improvement

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the Area Report and Scorecard for Financial Quarter 4 2019/20 (January-March 2020) and illustrating the agreed performance measures.

 

Discussion took place around the importance of receiving responses to queries in relation to the Scorecard in advance of the meeting and the Committee Manager confirmed that she would follow up outstanding queries with the relevant officers.

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.    to note the performance presented on the Scorecard and supporting commentary;

2.    that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas with any queries; and

3.    to note that work is ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Report and Scorecard.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Performance and Improvement, dated 2 September 2020, submitted)

6.

Scottish Water Update pdf icon PDF 216 KB

Update by Corporate Affairs Manager (West), Scottish Water

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report and update provided by the Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water, on a number of ongoing issues and projects in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area including the Scottish Water Capital Investment Programme, improvement works being carried out across the area and the essential upgrade of the sewer network in Tarbert.

 

Discussion took place around the new mains water pipe between Campbeltown and Machrihanish and it was agreed that the Regional Communities Manager would feed back to Members information around when connection to properties would be taking place. Longstanding odour issues in Inveraray and Campbeltown were discussed and it was agreed that the Regional Communities Manager would feed this information back to the relevant teams and provide Members with information around potential long term strategies and solutions to these issues. The process for informing council tax departments of new connections to mains water supply was also discussed and the Regional Communities Manager confirmed that he would seek clarification around this and provide an update to Members. Further discussion took place around the Aqualibrium waste water heating system project and it was agreed that the Regional Communities Manager would look to provide Members with a timescale for completion of this project as soon as possible. The Regional Communities Manager also confirmed that he would provide Members with updates in relation to planned improvement works on Islay and would arrange opportunities for consultation with relevant Members and Community Councils where necessary. The importance of the public reporting issues to Scottish Water to assist them in identifying problems was also highlighted.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the report and information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water, submitted)

 

 

 

7.

Scottish and Southern Energy Update pdf icon PDF 849 KB

Update by Regional Customer Relationship Manager, Scottish and Southern Energy and Project Manager (Transmission), Scottish and Southern Energy

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report and update provided by the Regional Customer Relationship Manager, SSE, around the replacement of the subsea cable between Tayvallich and Jura. Discussion took place around: existing power stations; Distribution Supply Operator models and the potential for an increase in future of renewable energy connection requests.

 

The Committee also gave consideration to a presentation from the Project Manager of SSE’s Inveraray to Crossaig project, the Project Manager confirmed that he would forward this information on to the relevant officer for distribution to Members. Discussion took place around: community engagement; the timeline for phase 2 of the project; future consultation with Members around the project later in the year; and concerns raised by the Tarbert community around the project. The Regional Customer Relationship Manager confirmed that she would forward guidance from the Energy Networks Association to Members in relation to EMF (electromagnetic fields) exposure for dissemination to concerned constituents. Further discussion took place around the landscape management plan being finalised and it was agreed that the Regional Customer Relationship Manager would confirm with Members whether communities would be given a chance to consult on this finalised plan or whether it would be provided on an information only basis.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the report and information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Regional Customer Relationship Manager, SSE, submitted)

8.

Health and Social Care Partnership

8a

HSCP - Performance Report for FQ4 (2019/20) & Covid Public Health Update pdf icon PDF 924 KB

Reports by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, Health and Social Care Partnership and Associate Director of Public Health, Health and Social Care Partnership

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to reports summarising performance data for the Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership during Financial Quarter 4 of the 2019-2020 reporting period and providing an update on Covid-19 public health.

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.    to note the FQ4 report performance data National Health and Well Being scorecard performance for the FQ4 (19/20) reporting period;

2.    to note the considerable impact COVID-19 restriction had with regards to available data;

3.    to note the COVID-19 reflection on performance for FQ1 and 2 of 2020; and 

4.    to note the Public Health Update.

 

(Reference: Reports by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, Health and Social Care Partnership and Associate Director of Public Health, Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 2 September 2020, submitted)

8b

HSCP - Kintyre Care Centre Update pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Report by Head of Service for Older Adults & Community Hospitals, Health and Social Care Partnership

 

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report by the Head of Service for Older Adults & Community Hospitals, Health and Social Care Partnership, regarding ongoing issues in relation to Kintyre Care Centre. The report outlined details of recent Care Inspectorate inspections and ongoing monitoring and improvement works being carried out in line with their findings.

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.    to note ongoing monitoring and improvement work with Kintyre Care Centre following an inspection;

2.    to note the quality assurance process for care homes for older adults at this time of Covid-19; and

3.    to note a piece of work for the HSCP to be undertaken to have a clear strategy to commission care placements to agreed standards.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Service for Older Adults & Community Hospitals, Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 2 September 2020, submitted)

 

 

 

9.

Primary Area Report 2019-2020: Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands pdf icon PDF 185 KB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Education

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing key information in relation to primary schools in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area and highlighting activities undertaken during the session 2019-20.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Education, dated 2 September 2020, submitted)

10.

Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds pdf icon PDF 305 KB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing proposals in relation to the ongoing management of the 19 Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds for which the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee are Trustees and seeking agreement on distribution proposals.

 

The Committee Manager drew the Committee’s attention to an error in section 3.0 of the report and confirmed that the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee are Trustees of 19 Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds and not 18 as stated in the report.

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.    that the charities and trust funds are awarded on the basis outlined in paragraph 6.1 of the report;

2.    the distribution of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds outlined within Appendix 1 of the report; and

3.    to note that proposals for the remaining Bequests and Trust Funds with no defined distribution will be brought to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 2 September 2020, submitted)

11.

Roads and Amenities Revenue and Capital Update pdf icon PDF 336 KB

Report by Interim Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Amenity Services

 

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on Roads and Infrastructure Services’ operational capital and revenue matters relating to roads and grounds maintenance activities in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.

 

In response to the questions raised by Councillor Redman during Public and Councillor Question Time, the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services advised on the ongoing programme to mitigate rabbit infestation issues in Kilnaughton cemetery; temporary lighting repairs being progressed for a final solution; and ongoing discussions with ACHA regarding weed killing activities carried out on their behalf at Cnoc-na-Faire, Port Ellen, having encountered issues due to weed killer having been wind-blown.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Interim Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 2 September 2020, submitted)

12.

Recycling Performance pdf icon PDF 256 KB

Report by Interim Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Amenity Services

 

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing the council’s recycling and landfill diversion performance and providing information around national policy, targets and regulations which are likely to impact on future performance.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Interim Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 2 September 2020, submitted)

 

13.

Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan pdf icon PDF 335 KB

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the Workplan.

 

(Reference: Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan, dated 2 September 2020, submitted)