Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

Councillor Robin Currie noted in relation to item 7 (Supporting Communities Fund 2022/23) that he was a patron of the Museum of Islay Life. Having taken note of the updated Standards Commission Guidance in relation to declarations (issued 7 December 2021) with specific reference to section 5 he considered that he had a relevant connection and as such would leave the meeting during consideration of this item if the Committee decided to consider the applications individually.

The Minute of the Meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on Wednesday 1^st December 2021, was approved as a correct record.

Linda Brannigan submitted the following question to the Committee:

 

“I have been following the reports from Argyll and Bute Council regarding their intention of becoming a net zero council in the not too distant future and then this week's (as at 21st December 2021) Campbeltown Courier reports that our landfill waste will not be able to be processed within our Area.

 

It is in the interest of everyone to reduce the amount of landfill waste and to increase the amount of recycled waste in Argyll and Bute.

 

This, in my opinion, begs the question of why the recent roll out of blue bins in Kintyre is restricted to households only.  

 

Places such as golf clubs, bowling clubs, caravan parks, and popular beaches for picnics/walking plus the many hospitality venues are by their very nature high volume plastic/cardboard venues. Yet they were not given these bins.

 

Businesses already pay for the removal of waste, therefore providing blue bins will result in them removing recycling items with less going into the green bins and therefore landfill.

 

The down side is the initial cost of providing these bins plus the increased amount of recycling being collected, however on the plus side is:

 

(a)        LESS GOING TO LANDFILL - reducing the cost of transporting it and paying for it to be processed

(b)        MORE RECYCLING - helping the intended net zero target.”

 

Councillor Redman noted that concerns around recycling bins were raised with him on a regular basis, and advised that he would like to see Roads and Infrastructure Services take a more proactive approach to meeting their publicised environmentalism targets. He suggested that larger bins or more uplifts could be beneficial in this regard, as he was concerned that there was a culture of removing bins or replacing them with smaller ones.

 

Councillor Kelly advised that he agreed with the principle of Mrs Brannigan’s enquiry and would encourage the Council to look into the possibility and practicalities of this.

 

Councillor Horn advised that constituents of Arivore Road, Whitehouse, had received a reduced recycling service following the Council’s transition to in-house recycling uplifts. She explained that the recycling lorry could not access the road, and therefore people were unable to recycle unless they took their recycling to a central commercial bin at the local hall. She noted her disappointment in this, following prior assurances that recycling services would not be affected.

 

Councillor Armour noted his agreement with Mrs Brannigan’s comments, advising that it was in the Council’s interest to provide bins and increase the amount of material being recycled to meet their targets. He highlighted his belief that convenience could be a major factor in whether people chose to recycle or not, and therefore supplying additional bins to places which were likely to generate large amounts of recycling could be beneficial.

 

Councillor Currie noted that many of the businesses local to him did have bins for recycling materials, and so he was unsure why this would be the case in some areas but not others.

 

The Committee Manager agreed to feedback the Committee’s comments to Mrs Brannigan following the meeting and to obtain a response from the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services.

 

Councillor Philand advised that an Environmental Warden for the area would have been able to assist with issues such as these, however Members had taken a decision in the Council budget not to employ an Environmental Warden for the area. Councillor Philand requested that the Committee write to the Administration to enquire about the reason behind this decision. The Chair agreed that this would be progressed following the meeting, and a response would thereafter be provided to Members by e-mail.

 

Councillor Kelly provided background information in relation to the Yellow Book report which had been carried out in 2005, and had been the catalyst for regeneration in Campbeltown. He noted that Campbeltown Community Council were currently progressing a Community Action Plan and requested that the Committee support a request for officers to bring forward a report to the next Committee meeting outlining the options for taking forward an updated survey and putting in place an updated strategic approach. He advised that it was important to deliver and build on the success of Campbeltown, particularly in light of proposed future investments and the need to put in place suitable infrastructure to support this. The Committee Manager agreed to progress this request following the meeting.

 

Councillor Kelly expressed his disappointment at the condition of the public toilets in Bolgam Street, Campbeltown. He requested that the Committee support a request for officers to bring forward a report to the next Committee outlining the actions required to bring public toilets across the area up to a reasonable standard. The Committee Manager agreed to progress this request following the meeting.

 

Councillor Kelly advised that he was seeking the support of the Area Committee in ascertaining the position on bedding plants for Campbeltown. He noted that he had been unsuccessful in contacting officers for a response and advised that, if the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services could not provide a response to this at the meeting, he would ask the Committee to write to the Executive Director to seek clarity around this.

 

Councillor MacMillan advised that Traffic Warden attendance was urgently required in Lochgilphead, particularly in response to a number of Heavy Goods Vehicles being parked in the Stag Car Park overnight without paying for this. He noted that he had been told that it was too expensive to bring a Traffic Warden to Lochgilphead, however a lot of money was being lost by not monitoring the car park. Councillors Philand and Taylor reiterated concerns around this, noting that strategies should be explored to address this loss of revenue.

 

Councillor Horn advised that she was pleased to see work had been carried out on the footways in Tarbert, however she would like to enquire about whether there were plans to extend works to the Quay, rather than stopping at the public toilets. She noted that the slabs at the Quay had been the cause of a number of falls.

 

Councillor Redman raised concerns about a section of road between Islay Auction Mart and Whins Park, Islay. Councillor Currie advised that this had been addressed in the Roads Capital Reconstruction Programme 2022/23, which was being considered at the upcoming Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting.

 

Councillor Redman advised that concerns had been raised by South Knapdale Community Council in relation to branches on the roads at Kilberry. Councillor Taylor advised that he had received assurance that the bushes and scrub would be cut back on the next occasion when the Council were cutting the verges.

 

Councillor Redman also raised concerns about the condition of the Cemetery Road in Carradale. He noted that he had previously received correspondence confirming that the road was not the responsibility of the Council and that the community should seek funding to address the issues, however he would request that this position was revisited.

 

The Chair advised that the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services would be in attendance for a later item, and responses would be provided to the queries raised in relation to his Service at that point.

Update by North West Area Manager, Transport Scotland

The Committee gave consideration to a verbal update provided by Transport Scotland’s North West Area Manager on various issues raised by Members in relation to the A83.

 

Discussion took place around flooding issues at Tayinloan; the possibility of a footway on the A83 at Inverneill; the ongoing discussions regarding implementation of a 40mph speed limit on the south side of Ardrishaig; the timetable for repairs to the Corran and Colchester Square roundabouts in Lochgilphead; the requirement for the repair of two holes under the road near the sewage works on Ardrishaig Road and the Millennium Garden; the need for trees to be cut back at Barmore Road, Tarbert, to address road safety issues; ongoing work to progress drainage improvement and the installation of a pedestrian crossing on Kinloch Road, Campbeltown; the need to address general road deterioration across the A83; surface water issues on Hall Road, Campbeltown, being monitored by BEAR Scotland; and the need to identify planned works to fully address a previous culvert collapse at Kilmichael Farm, Campbeltown.

 

It was agreed that a list of works which had been carried out by Transport Scotland over the 2021/22 period, and a list of works scheduled for the 2022/23 period, would be provided to the Committee by e-mail following the meeting.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the information provided.

Report by Regional Communities Manager – West, Scottish Water

The Committee considered a report provided by the Regional Communities Manager - West, Scottish Water, on a number of recent, ongoing and future projects in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area. A verbal update was also provided in relation to Scottish Water’s new Nature Calls campaign.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Regional Communities Manager - West, Scottish Water, dated February 2022, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

The Committee gave consideration to a report recommending the distribution of awards for the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) 2022/23 for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area, the budget for which included the remaining funds from the Covid-19 Micro Grants Fund.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to award funding from the Supporting Communities Fund budget to 12 applicants, totalling £24,619.59, as follows:

 

Ref No	Applicant	Recommendation		Amount Requested	Award 2022/23
1	Islay & Jura Community Enterprises Limited	Award		£2,500.00	£2,500.00
2	Kintyre Seasports	Award		£2,432.40	£2,432.40
3	Argyll and Bute Befrienders	Award		£602.00	£602.00
4	Dochas Carers’ Centre	Award		£2,500.00	£2,500.00
5	Craignish Village Hall – Arts Programme	Award		£2,500.00	£2,500.00
6	Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation	Award		£640.92	£640.92
7	Shopper-Aide Ltd	Award		£2,500.00	£2,500.00
8	Achnamara Village Hall	Award		£2,365.00	£2,365.00
9	Kintyre Link Club	Award		£2,500.00	£2,500.00
10	Tarbert & Skipness Community Trust	Award		£2,500.00	£2,500.00
11	19th Argyll Scout Group	Award		£2,400.00	£2,400.00
12	Kintyre Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service	Partial Award		£2,000.00	£1,179.27
13	Jura Development Trust	No Award		£2,500.00	No Award
14	The Community Bureau	No Award		£2,440.00	No Award
15	Dunaverty Hall	No Award		£1,500.00	No Award
16	The Museum of Islay life	No Award		£2,125.00	No Award
Total Available		£24,619.59
Total Awarded		£24,619.59

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 31st January 2022, submitted)

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.

 

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 February 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on traffic speed and volume surveys carried out in late 2021 in relation to Meadows Avenue and Ralston Road, Campbeltown.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee:

 

1.    considered and noted the contents of the report;

2.    requested that, given the results of the speed surveys in Meadows Avenue and Ralston Road, Campbeltown, officers provide a further report to the Committee in relation to how a mandatory 20mph speed limit could be taken forward for those specific areas; and

3.    agreed that the item should remain on the Workplan until such time as the Davaar Avenue speed survey had been carried out and the results of same had been reported back to the Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated February 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the Housing Services activity and the delivery of the Local Housing Strategy within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.

 

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 Development and Economic Growth, dated January 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard report for Financial Quarter 2 of 2021-2022 (October to December 2021), which illustrated the agreed performance measures.

 

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 Members should contact either the Responsible Named Officer or the Performance Improvement Officer with any queries;
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;
4. noted the requirement to amend the current report template and Scorecard;
5. agreed that an amended report template and Scorecard would be electronically circulated to Members for information and approval to meet the FQ4 2021/22 reporting deadline; and
6. agreed to continue the production and circulation of the supplementary images of the Scorecard by Corporate Outcome images.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 2^nd March 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

A report providing an update on the reallocation of funding between two ongoing projects which form part of the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund was before the Committee for noting.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the update on the reallocation of funding between the two ongoing projects, which form part of the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 26^th January 2022, submitted)

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan as at March 2022 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)

The Chair, Councillor Colville, expressed this thanks to everyone for their support during his term as Chair of the Area Committee. He paid particular thanks to Councillors Horn and Taylor, who had decided not to stand for re-election, and to Councillor Armour for his assistance in minuting Business Day meetings. He also thanked Committee Services for their efforts and hard work behind the scenes.

 

Councillor Colville’s sentiments were echoed by the other Councillors, who also thanked Councillors Colville and Currie for their efforts during their respective terms as Chair of the Area Committee.