Agenda and minutes

The Vice Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Garret Corner and Alastair Redman.

Councillor Dougie Philand declared a non-financial interest in agenda item 12 (Lochgilphead CARS – Recommendation of Grant Award) due to members of his family being in the building industry and possible tenderers for works to be carried out in relation to this project.

The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on 6 September 2023 was approved as a correct record. 

The Governance Manager advised that there had been no public questions submitted in advance of the meeting.  Having noted that there were members of the public in attendance, the Vice Chair invited them to submit any questions they may have.   

David Moncrieff (Present)

What is Argyll and Bute Council’s record of reportable accidents/incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) during the last 3 years?

Having established that Mr Moncrieff had submitted this question in a number of formats already, the Governance Manager undertook to establish whether such a request had been received and its current status for response in terms of the Freedom of Information legislation. 

Following on from the question he raised at the last meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, Mr Moncrieff advised that he had not received a truthful response from the Governance Manager.

The Governance Manager advised that the response to the question asked had been provided to Mr Moncrieff via the Council’s Customer Service Centre following the meeting on 6 September 2023. 

Mr Moncrieff indicated that he had a further question in relation to Councillor expenses. Having established that an answer to this question had already been provided, the Vice Chair declined to accept this question.

Report by CHARTS Argyll and the Isles

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation by the Vice Chair of the Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly (CHARTS) for Argyll and the Isles.  The presentation included information on the impact of partnership working on both regional and local areas and provided highlights of key projects throughout the MAKI area.  Mr Adams also provided information in relation to funding streams and the benefits of the continued support received from Argyll and Bute Council.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Vice Chair, CHARTS, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive, ACHA

Consideration was given to a presentation by the Chief Executive of ACHA, which provided an update on a number of areas including the investment programme for 2023/24; the Warm Homes Fund Project; the Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Whole House Retrofit Programme; the progress of the replacement of wet electric heating systems; the Exemplar Estates initiative and information on the Scottish Government Grant which has allowed the progression of a number of adaptations and essential aids for the most vulnerable customers across Argyll and Bute.  Information on welfare rights was also provided. 

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Chief Executive, ACHA, submitted)

Report by Senior Manager, Performance and Improvement, Argyll and Bute HSCP

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on performance against each of the service areas and the 93 supporting Key Performance Indicators, as well as an update from the Heads of Service giving a wider context and identifying risks and mitigations.  The report also provided an update on the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes and Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators and the information in relation to delayed discharges. 

Decision

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

1.    the performance for FQ1 (April to June 2023/24);

2.    the summary overview of the Heads of Service Performance update;

3.    the performance update on the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes and the Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators, as at Appendix 1 of the report;

4.    the System Pressure Report for August 2023, as at Appendix 2 of the report; and

5.    the Delayed Discharge Sitrep for August 2023, as at Appendix 3 of the report.

(Reference:   Report by Senior Manager, Performance and Improvement, Argyll and Bute HSCP, dated 6 December 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 2 of 2023/24 (July to September 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 6 December 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; information on the Roads Capital Programme and an update on the A816 Ardfern Landslip. 

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 6 December 2023, submitted)

The Chair moved and the Committee agreed to adjourn for a short comfort break until 12:20pm.  Upon resuming, all those present, were as per the sederunt, with the exception of Councillor Tommy MacPherson, who had submitted his apologies for the remainder of the meeting. 

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Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the works carried out to increase the lair availability at Kilkerran Cemetery and in identifying another site to build a new Cemetery for Kintyre. 

Decision

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

1.    considered and noted the remaining availability and current works to repurpose Kilkerran Cemetery which officers estimate will extend the cemetery lair availability by 8 years;

2.    considered and noted the updated comments relative to Cemetery development at Kilkerran in the Moy Holdings area; and 

3.    agreed that this item should remain on the workplan until such time as another site to build a new Cemetery for Kintyre has been identified and agreed.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 6 December 2023, 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 work carried out with the Tarbert Play Park Group and subsequent presentation to the Tarbert Community Council on Thursday, 9 November on renewing the Tarbert Play Park. 

Decision

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

1.    considered and noted the positive engagement with the local Community Council and the Tarbert Play Park Group;

2.    considered and noted the proposed change in play park design and equipment which has been asked for locally by residents and the Play Park Group; and

3.    considered and noted the proposed process for tendering for the new play park.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 6 December 2023, submitted)

Having declared a non-financial interest in the following item of business, Councillor Philand left the room and took no part in discussion of this item.

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Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which sought agreement on the granting of awards for the remaining two priority building projects that form part of the Lochgilphead Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee approved the following grant offers from the Lochgilphead Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS):-

1.    up to two hundred and twenty one thousand, nine hundred and thirty three pounds and twelve pence (£221,933.12) to the owners of 2-4 Argyll Street, Lochgilphead; and

2.    up to one hundred and seventy five thousand, seven hundred and fifty pounds and eighty pence (£175,750.80) to the owners of 6-10 Argyll Street, Lochgilphead. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Economic Development, dated 6 December 2023, submitted)

Councillor Philand re-joined the meeting for the remainder of the business. 

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Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

 Consideration was given to a report which provided details of a number of the Trusts and Bequests that remain active in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area and sought agreement from Members on proposed distribution methods.

It was noted that the reference to the Hutcheson Memorial Trust contained within the report and appendix should in fact read Hutcheon Memorial Trust. 

Decision

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

1.    noted the financial position of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds as of December 2023;

2.    agreed that the Hutcheon Memorial Trust and May Paterson Trust prizes be limited to £30;

3.    agreed that all other charities and trust funds, that have historically been awarded to Council departments and Allied partners, are awarded on the basis outlined in paragraph 5.5 and defined within Appendix 1 of the report; and

4.    agreed that officers develop proposals for distribution arrangements for the Campbell Bequest, McNeill Bequest, the Mcalister Mortification and the Fisher Bequest for later consideration by Members. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 6 December 2023, submitted) 

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Committee workplan for future meetings.  It was noted that further discussion would take place with Education in terms of the scheduling of the Secondary School Reports which are currently scheduled for the June Area Committee meeting.

Decision

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

(Reference:  Area Committee Workplan, dated 6 December 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

Having noted that Councillor Jennifer Kelly was elected in the Ward 1 By-Election held on Thursday, 2 November 2023, the Committee gave consideration to a report which advised that Councillor Jennifer Kelly had been appointed as a Trustee of the Kintyre Youth Fund. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the recommendations contained within the report.   

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 6 December 2023, submitted)