Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor Donald Kelly.    

Councillor Jan Brown declared a non-financial interest in agenda item 13 (Supporting Communities Fund 2023/24) on the basis that she works alongside one of the applicants, Community Cycle Ardrishaig.  She advised that she did not consider the connection to be significant and as such would remain in the meeting and take part in discussion and decision on this item.

The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on 1 March 2023, was approved as a correct record. 

There were no public questions submitted. 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Ms Fletcher, Depute Head of Campbeltown Grammar School, who picked out some highlights from the school report which had been provided to Members.  The report included information on S3 ACEL in literacy and numeracy and Gaelic; the pass rates of National qualifications and the Insight dashboard.  Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Ms Fletcher for her informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)

Councillor Philand joined the meeting during discussion of agenda item 4 (Campbeltown Grammar School Attainment Report).

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Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Mr Harrison, Head Teacher of Islay High School, who picked out some highlights from the school report which had been provided to Members.  The report included information on S3 ACEL in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of National qualifications and the Insight dashboard.  Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr Harrison for his informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Mr Helbert, Head Teacher of Lochgilphead High School, who picked out some highlights from the school report which had been provided to Members.  The report included information on S3 ACEL in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of National qualifications and the Insight dashboard.  Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr Helbert for his informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Mr McKnight, Head Teacher of Tarbert Academy, who picked out some highlights from the school report which had been provided to Members.  The report included information on S3 ACEL in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of National qualifications and the Insight dashboard.  Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr McKnight for his informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report and a presentation which provided a range of key information about primary school provision in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area during the school session August 2022 to June 2023 and reported the National collection of attainment and achievement data from June 2022. 

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated May 2022, submitted)

Having noted the commitments of officers in attendance, the Chair advised that it was his intention to vary the order of business to take the following agenda items out of sequence.  The order in which they are minuted, is the order in which discussion took place. 

Report by Chief Officer, Argyll and Bute HSCP

Consideration was given to the HSCP Annual Performance Report for 2022-23.  The report detailed how the HSCP had performed and also provided progress updates on how they have improved and adapted services which are fit for the future. 

Decision

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

(Reference:  Report by Chief Officer, Argyll and Bute HSCP, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 4 of 2022/23 (January to March 2023) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for the period.

Decision

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

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

2.    agreed 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.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Performance Report. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

Following on from discussion at their previous meeting and having noted that the Cemetery Asset report was considered by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee in March 2023, the Committee gave consideration to a report which highlighted the relevant information for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee endorsed the content of the report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided links to the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services.

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 7 June 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Community Development

Consideration was given to a report which detailed recommendations for the award of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) for the 2023/24 round of funding that had been made available for distribution by Council to organisations in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed that the 18 applications, marked as ‘Award’ within Appendix 1 of the report, are awarded funding from the Supporting Communities Fund totalling £38,425, as follows:

(Reference:  Report by Chief Executive, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)

Councillors Jan Brown and Tommy MacPherson left the meeting during discussion of agenda item 13 (Supporting Communities Fund 2023/24).

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Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the 6 projects from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund, and included information on the recently completed and remaining ongoing projects.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the progress made with the projects as detailed within the report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)    

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Committee workplan for future meetings. 

Decision

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

(Reference:  Area Committee Workplan, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

A report advising of actions taken by the Council’s Building Standards service in respect of the former White Hart Hotel, Main Street, Campbeltown was before the Committee for noting.

Councillor Dougie Philand moved that this item be brought back to the next meeting of the Area Committee as a substantive item for discussion.  With no one otherwise minded, this became the decision of the Committee. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed that this report be brought as a substantive item to their next meeting on 6 September 2023. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Regulatory Services, dated 7 June 2023, submitted)